Tuning the Wells Fargo

[likesblackpowder]

Hi folks, I just got my Uberti WF in the mail from DGW. The fulfilled and packed my order very well and I would order from them again. The gun itself though I would like to know more about before shooting it. My other two BP guns are a Pietta '58 and an NAA companion, neither of which are the "colt style" so this is new ground for me.

When I cock the hammer on the WF, the cylinder tends to over-travel beyond the stop where it should line the cylinder up with the hammer and barrel. After cocking, I have to use my hand to "tweak" the cylinder over to the left just a bit until it "clicks in". If I pull the hammer back gently, it clicks into place by itself and is ready to shoot. If I pull the hammer back with a bit more "gusto" although nothing abnormal, the cylinder over travels beyond the stop and I must adjust it. I have played with various levels of wedge pin tension which doesn't apear to help much.

Any tips? Also when I first start to pull back the hammer, there is sound rough feeling in the mechanism, like metal on metal, which neither the other two guns I have do. Should I just have a gunsmith tweak it a bit or should I exchange it with the seller for another?

-Michel

 

[mec]

"I have played with various levels of wedge pin tension which doesn't apear to help much."

That was a smart thing to do as a tight or absent bc gap can really screw up the timing. The problem could range from a weak trigger/bolt spring to and overlong hand and other more mysterious things. When I got mine, it was pretty rough and glitchy. Just for the heck of it, I used it to practice fitting and extra hand and bolt and actually made it smoother than the factory had.

 

[saaman]

The problem could be the bolt not rising high enough through the bottom of the frame. I have fixed such problems by some careful filing, but anytime you file on the bolt it changes the relationship to the tail that bears on the hammer cam, requiring more filing on the tail.
--Bates

 

[Old Fuff]

There are a number of circumstances that could cause your over travel problem, but I take it that you are not an experienced Colt C&B revolver fixer. That being the case I would return it to DGW (a very good company in my view) and ask them to either fix or replace it. If you have at it on your own, the most likely event is that you'll void the warrantee and it still won't work.

If you decide to do it yourself, try and buy a copy of: Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West, by David R. Chicoine. It will provide guideance on a number of replica and antique guns.