New Dragoon

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mb3

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Jupiter, FL
I received my Uberti 2nd Model Dragoon Fedex this morning. Tore her down lubed and cleaned everything. I am impressed with the workmanship and overall design of this pistol. I am also surprised how light and smooth the trigger is; can’t wait to shoot her.
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That's a good looking Dragoon! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine. I shot mine on friday and can't wait to shoot it again. It's a whole lot of fun to tinker with too.
 
They were a common gun in the gold fields of California and Montana/Idaho. At least I read where the Montana vigilantes captured road agents and went through their tents and lean-tos only to find colt Navies and Dragoons hidden all over the place.
 
Colt Dragoon

mb3

Nice looking Dragoon.

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I have the Uberti 1848 Colt Dragoon, 3rd Model. Along with what was called the Mini Dragoon, the Colt 1849 Pocket Revolver.

Give us a range report after you take her out for a spin.
 
Of the 1st through 3rd model Dragoons I think I'm most likely to get the 2nd model Dragoon like you did. I like it! The squareback trigger guard gives it an old timely look. Let us know how it shoots and what loads you used.
 
Thank you for the nice comments. I can’t wait to go out and shoot her I just need to pick up a couple of things. I am going to get some .454 ball, a capper, nipple wrench, and some wads. I went to Gander Mountain today and picked up Remington #11 caps. They appear to fit just right. They went on snug and come off with a little fingernail english. I loaded up on Goex 3f, so I am almost there. I intend to try a 40gr load first, but as I will just be target shooting may settle on a 30- 35-gr load if she will punch the paper clean.
 
Track of the Wolf Walker/Dragoon Nipple Wrench

I bought that one from Track of the Wolf for use with my Colt Walker, then I acquired the 3rd Model Dragoon. The wrench works fine for either. Taylors wants $29.50 for theirs. :) Wolf's may be cheaper but so far no problems.

I also suggest you get some Thompson's Super Lube, Anti Seize Lubricant (or a similar product). I use a pipe cleaner or a Q Tip to put it on the nipple threads. Stuck nipples are loads of "fun".
 
SC, thank you for the reply. I have been using anti sieze on my CS Richmond nipple and have had no problems yet. I can see were treating the nipple thread can save trouble down the road.
 
I have had this Dragoon for several weeks now and have put around 60 rounds through her and I am impressed. This is a great gun and fun to shoot. I am currently shooting .454 ball but I am going to try some .457 ball to cure some loading issues and see if the accuracy increases. The only real issue I have had with this gun is the grips. I don’t like the heavy reddish lacquer they put on them. This weapon is supposed to have walnut grips but you can’t tell by looking at them. So, I took out some sand paper and removed the finish. Afterward I finished sanded the grips with 0000 steel wool and applied an oil finish. The only thing I had on hand was Tung Oil but I am happy with the results. It has brought out a more natural look and I think a more authentic look.

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mb3 said:
I am going to try some .457 ball to cure some loading issues and see if the accuracy increases.
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Elaborate on your "loading issues" if you would. Also I'm curious as to the accuracy issue as well. I've had a 2nd Dragoon for a year now and it's one of my favorites although it eats too much sometimes.

What powder charge have you settled on, filler/wad etc.? Have you slugged the chambers?? Mine measures out at .446 slugged giving me .008 under with a .454 RB. A .457 might not be the answer for accuracy but more info is needed to give unsolicited advise.

Grips look good by the way.
 
I am currently using 47gr FFFG Goex, a felt wad and a lubed .454 ball. The only issue I have had is I occasionally have the ball stick to the loading ram. I have been told it can be from a burr on the end of the ram. But, a tighter fitting ball could also help with this problem.
 
mb3 said:
I am currently using 47gr FFFG Goex, a felt wad and a lubed .454 ball. The only issue I have had is I occasionally have the ball stick to the loading ram. I have been told it can be from a burr on the end of the ram. But, a tighter fitting ball could also help with this problem.
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A .457 will give you a slightly larger "Contact Area" inside the chamber, but will probably not solve the problem. I've experienced this on more than one gun, but the reasons were usually associated with when I used Crisco or any type of lube on the ball. The lube will provide a "Seal" between the rammer and the ball and you will literally suck the ball right back out. Try wiping the rammer face with a Q-tip when it starts to happen. My guess is that it doesn't happen on the first or maybe even the second loading, but after things have gotten a little gooey. There are posts on THR regarding modifying the rammer face, but I've pretty much cured the problem by cutting back on the lube on all guns. My glasses stay a lot cleaner too if I'm shooting up wind.

Keep in mind that once the ball is rammed home, no matter what the original diameter was in the box, it is now what ever the inside diameter of the chamber is.

What about your accuracy issue?
 
Just FYI:

My 1981 Uberti 2nd Model Dragoon has the following dimensions:
chambers: 0.449
lands: 0.438
grooves: 0.459
This chamber/groove mismatch is one of the worst (except for an ASM Walker) in my inventory, and very untypical for Uberti. Accuracy is not bad, but nothing like my ROA, and it could be.

You're on the right track with the grips; just keep adding the tung oil. Rub each coat in with two fingers until it warms up, then let it dry.

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Mykeal, very nice looking pistol I like your grips. I think you got a better piece of wood than I did. In regard to accuracy; I am not saying I have an accuracy issue, as I have been pleased with the accuracy of this weapon. I think the major draw back for me is getting used to the sights. I am willing (interested) in exploring whether there is any tightening of group size using the .457 ball and a particular load of powder. I am most interested in 100 yard shooting as it would seem that this was one of the weapons strengths.
 
You can certainly 'tune' the load to obtain a minimum group size. I use 40 grains of fffg Goex, a dry lubed felt wad and a .457 round ball. That may or may not work for your gun. 100 yards is a stretch for even a Walker. Keep in mind that the target was a horse, not a six inch black circle, and any hit anywhere was sufficient (eventually).
 
I had fun a few weeks ago with my pistol out at 100 yards, and was able to keep 4 out of 6 shots on a B21 silhouette. Three of the four hits most certainly would have been fatal (abdomen and chest). The fourth hit was in the shoulder and I am sure would have left a mark. I am not sure were the two misses went but I think I missed high n right. I was using the load I mentioned in my previous post and the felt wad was lubed. I think with a little practice it will be possible to keep all six shots on the target. I just have to get used to the tiny rear sight notch. One thing I was impressed with was my point of aim which was centered on the xiphoid process, pretty much a straight hold.
 
If you're hitting 4 of 6 on a B21 silhouette at 100 yards right out of the box, I'd say you're doing pretty good.

Before you change ball size you might want to play with the charge a little. Typically, heavy loads in a CB revolver seldom produce the best results accuracy wise. Although 47gr isn't heavy for a Dragoon historically, it might be more than you need to get the job done.

Don't be afraid to experiment and drop the load to maybe as low as 30gr in 5gr increments. The problem that will crop up doing this, is that the ball will get farther and farther from the forcing cone. To rectify that problem, use some sort of filler to bring the ball back up to where it should be (cornmeal/cream of wheat).

There may also be an added benefit to the filler. I haven't chronographed it yet, but I'm thinking that the filler just might compress around the ball and make a reasonable "gas-check" since it won't all burn before exiting the barrel. Since I haven't tested it yet, I can't say whether it helps or hurts but it's something to think about.

Have fun punching paper at 100 yards. I've done it with a Dragoon, but I'm usually too lazy to walk that far. If you get good at it, you'll impress the snot out of the rifle shooters with your Horse Pistol.
 
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