Short 1860 barrels

[jgh4445]

Mikes video reminded me of a question I have. Can you buy, say, 5 1/2 inch or 6 inch barrels factory made for the 1860 Army or the !861 Navy?

 

[Prairie Dawg]

Yes.
VTI is a good place to start.
http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=70&cat=Pietta+1860+Army+1861+Navy
3" & 5.5" Sheriff barrels are available.
Also check ebay.
In my experience, any Pietta 1851 or 1860 barrel will work.
You can have a pair of frames and 2 eight-inch, two 5.5 inch, & two 3-inch barrels and essentially have 3 pairs of matched guns.
At least it works for me
--DAwg

 

[jgh4445]

Thanks Dawg, unfortunately I have a Uberti and they only list the 8 inch barrel for it. Should have made that clear in my post. My bad.

 

[rodwha]

Taylor's lists many parts. I'm not sure if they have any Uberti Colt short barrels for a '60 or not.

 

[Prairie Dawg]

I don't believe Uberti has ever made any.

If it were me, & I really wanted a short barrel 44, I'd sell the Uberti & get a Pietta & start looking for what I want.

--Dawg

 

[Malamute]

Or just cut one down if you have a Uberti or dont want to buy parts. It isn't that big of a job for a decent gunsmith. If you're handy with tools you could likely do it yourself.

 

[Prairie Dawg]

I was gonna suggest that, but many folks who want a 5" barrel want the loading lever too.
That means dovetailing in a front sight & lever-catch & cutting down the factory loading lever.

More than some folks want to do or pay to have done.

5.5" loading levers are a pain to use, so I load on a powder inc cylinder loader for all my guns, even the 8-inch 1860s.
If I cut down a Uberti, it would not have a loading lever at all.
Another option is to use a revolver stand and put in the long loading lever as needed.
Kind of a pain, but it would work. Far easier to just push out a properly fitted wedge & load on a cylinder loader.
Plus, you can wipe fouling off the frame, arbor & forcing cone area as well.

Just my 2 cents
--DAwg

 

[Malamute]

I would want the lever, even if it was a pain to use. I guess you could use a short piece of pipe as an extension. I'd like for my guns to be functional without a loading stand or specialty tool (which I dont have), even if it wasnt optimal to use the short lever.

I had a cut down Navy many years ago, I just installed the lever when I wanted to load it, but I never shot it much. The Army levers aren't quite as simple to install as the Navies I think.

 

[jgh4445]

I'm gonna keep mine the original length. I was just curious as to whether short barrels were available. I think there is a guy on here called "Hoof Hearted" who offers that shortening service.

 

[Big Al Mass]

I would want the lever, even if it was a pain to use. I guess you could use a short piece of pipe as an extension. I'd like for my guns to be functional without a loading stand or specialty tool (which I dont have), even if it wasnt optimal to use the short lever.

I had a cut down Navy many years ago, I just installed the lever when I wanted to load it, but I never shot it much. The Army levers aren't quite as simple to install as the Navies I think.

The only difference is that the Army levers come out in 2 pieces. It is only 1 screw to remove for either one.

 

[Noz]

Prairie Dawg, A short piece of 1/2" plastic tubing placed over the loading lever makes the short loading levers a pleasure to use.