Walker or Dragoon?

[DocCharlie]

Hello fellas. I’m back again to ask for your advice. I’m trying to decide between a new uberti walker or a uberti dragoon. I’m sure I will have both one day but trying to figure out which one I’d like first. I like the size of the walker. And it just looks fun to shoot. But a lot of the videos I see guys have problems with the loading lever falling after each shot. Has that issue been fixed with newer models? Or just get used to it since that’s the way it was. Also I see different people using different dimension lead balls. My 1858 and 1860 both run the .454 round ball so it would be easier to keep the same balls for the Walker. And how many grains of powder do you guys like to shoot out of the walker?
Now the issue with the loading lever dropping has made me look at the dragoon’s but some of those drop also. And I’ve read the differences between the 3 dragoon’s. And I do like the squared off trigger guard better than the rounded. But like I said I’d like to hear what you guys think that have had the experience of these revolvers. thank you all in advance!!!

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

The Walker loading lever thing can be fixed to a certain degree by re profiling the latch spring, first thing is to fix the short arbor on either pistol. Uberti came up the idea of tapering the arbor thinking that's the fix...it's not. There are a number of posts here on the arbor issue. PM me if you want more details on fixing it after you buy one.

 

[Mn Fats]

I like the Walker just for the cool factor. And Josey Wales. The Dragoon was supposed to address the loading lever dropping. I just bent and filed the little tab on the Walker. Some guys use a little leather strap. Apparently that's what they did back in the day.

My load is 50 grains of FFFg Goex and .454 balls.

I recommend sending either choice off to Goons Gun Works if you dont know how to do the smithing yourself. Uberti's tend to have arbor length issues. And that massive cylinder can have timing issues (mine sure did).

The Italian repros aren't perfect and tend to need a little help. Goons handle here is @45 Dragoon. He must prefer the Dragoon lol. Also I think @TheOutlawKid does some of this work.

Long story short, I picked the Walker.

 

[DocCharlie]

I like the Walker just for the cool factor. And Josey Wales. The Dragoon was supposed to address the loading lever dropping. I just bent and filed the little tab on the Walker. Some guys use a little leather strap. Apparently that's what they did back in the day.

My load is 50 grains of FFFg Goex and .454 balls.

I recommend sending either choice off to Goons Gun Works if you dont know how to do the smithing yourself. Uberti's tend to have arbor length issues. And that massive cylinder can have timing issues (mine sure did).

The Italian repros aren't perfect and tend to need a little help. Goons handle here is @45 Dragoon. He must prefer the Dragoon lol. Also I think @TheOutlawKid does some of this work.

Long story short, I picked the Walker.

Wow thank you guys! I did not know about those issues with the arbor or timing. I’m not sure I would want to do any smithing on my own. I would have to send it out I’m sure. Any idea what it would cost to get that work done?

 

[gobsauce]

Post a video of you dual wielding them when you d get both.

 

[arcticap]

I like the 3rd Model Dragoon because it has square cylinder notches and a round trigger guard.

I don't care much for oval notches or a square trigger guard.

 

[Mn Fats]

Wow thank you guys! I did not know about those issues with the arbor or timing. I’m not sure I would want to do any smithing on my own. I would have to send it out I’m sure. Any idea what it would cost to get that work down?

Mr. Goon charges about $200 depending on what you want done, it could be more, or less. Well worth it my opinion.

If your just going to shoot it one or two times per year, then you'd be fine leaving it as is.

I wanted a lifetime deal so I went ahead and corrected or refined some of the issues that are common with these guns.

Once you get them tuned up they're as fine as any revolver. Actually better than the original Walkers due to superior metal/metallurgy.

They just need a little tuning up is all. Common with the Italian repros. But they are priced right. And after the work your only $600 all in for the Walker. That's awesome.

And I've never seen anyone smile harder while shooting a firearm than they have with a Walker. Especially with 60 grains.

 

[CraigC]

I have come to really appreciate all the refinements present in the Dragoons. It's 99% of the appeal with a lot less hassle. My 3rd model has a Kirst gated conversion and will eventually get engraving and Turnbull finishes. The Walker will probably remain unused.

 

[Mn Fats]

The Walker will probably remain unused.

I'll take it. Ya know, being it's not used and all. Just taking up space. Go green or something and donate it to the Fat man. I've always wanted to dual wield some Walkers.

 

[gobsauce]

I'll take it. Ya know, being it's not used and all. Just taking up space. Go green or something and donate it to the Fat man. I've always wanted to dual wield some Walkers.

Well, post a video of you dual wielding the walkers when you do.

 

[1KPerDay]

Just a heads up, @Jackrabbit1957 does excellent tuning/repair work also. He sorted my old Palmetto Walker and it had lots of issues.

 

[expat_alaska]

If you cannot decide between a Walker and a Dragoon, I found this to be my compromise.

Uberti Whitneyville Hartford Dragoon. It has the same rear frame/gripframe design, oval stop slots, and V-mainspring as the Walker, but the shorter cylinder/barrel (7.5") of the Dragoon. It also has the "S"-type load lever catch which will also occasionally drop upon firing without a bit of TLC modification.

At 4 lbs. 2 oz. it is still a hefty revolver, but not near as unwieldy as the 4 lb. 9 oz. 9" barrel of the Walker.



If you can find an early Uberti like this, the bolt and trigger screws do not penetrate the right side of the frame, just like the originals.



Regards,

Jim

 

[dickydalton]

I have a Whitneyville without the protruding screws that the Goon tuned!

1848 Whitneyville

• dickydalton
• Sep 21, 2019

Uberti Whitneyville

DSC00017

• dickydalton
• Apr 23, 2018

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

You can stop the Walker loading lever from falling with a rubber band, piece of string or a leather thong.
They are at the top for cool factor

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

My Walker would drop the loading lever and I worked on the spring a bit and fixed it.

I actually have a second Walker that is brand new in the box I'm thinking I'd like to sell and buy a Dragoon so I have both. I bought it thinking I'd like a pair but never unpacked it.

 

[dickydalton]

With full loads ALL of my Dragoons and the Walker drop the loading lever a lot. I haven't gotten around to messing with the springs yet.

 

[DocCharlie]

Awesome thank you guys!!!

 

[DocCharlie]

If I do go with the walker could I shoot it for a while before fixing the arbor and fine tuning without damaging it? I’d like to pick one up but I’d probably have to wait a little while to dump another 200 into it.
Now I’m looking at that whitneyville too. I’m sure I will add the dragoon and now that to the collection down the road. I’m just starting out with these revolvers but I’m already addicted!

 

[1KPerDay]

If I do go with the walker could I shoot it for a while before fixing the arbor and fine tuning without damaging it?

In my OPINION, yes. Others may opine otherwise. But my Uberti Walker has been fine. I haven't shot it a ton, but I've had no issues so far.

Some videos to whet your appetite:

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

DocCharlie, you can certainly shoot a Walker before fixing the arbor if you stay away from full house loads, where's the fun in that. I witnessed a Uberti Walker self destruct a number of years ago, it ate 4 or 5 wedges, 3 were hand made. It eventually became a paperweight. Not sure how much powder the guy was using, never asked. These big pistols most definitely need the arbor length corrected at a minimum, tuning them just improves them all the more. 45 Dragoon says if the arbor is short it sets up a harmonic that can do some damage, I believe him. I do know that with a proper seated arbor the pistol is much happier and more accurate. My advice is to fix it sooner rather then later.

 

[gtrgy888]

It depends how you perceive the history. The Walker was and is a rare gun that Colt improved into the Dragoon. I prefer Dragoons myself since they are the heavier template for the later models, but the Walker is a beast with its own special ties to Texas and the expansionist period.

 

[DocCharlie]

Do any of the dragoon’s have the same arbor issue? Or any other issues that would need fixing?

 

[piettakid]

I like the Walker just for the cool factor. And Josey Wales. The Dragoon was supposed to address the loading lever dropping. I just bent and filed the little tab on the Walker. Some guys use a little leather strap. Apparently that's what they did back in the day.

The loading lever latch on one of my 1858 remmies broke off years ago and i made a circular sleeve out of some poster board and duct tape. You just slide it on and off for reloading. Works quite well

 

[Mn Fats]

Do any of the dragoon’s have the same arbor issue? Or any other issues that would need fixing?

I believe Uberti is the only current manufacturer of Dragoons or Walkers. And they suffer from the arbor length issue. Along with several other issues that should be addressed.

 

[Mn Fats]

Or any other issues that would need fixing?

All of the Italian repros have things that need to be addressed. Just depends on how much you plan on firing one.

If left stock and fired some on occasion, you'll be fine. If your rapping off cylinder after cylinder, then send it out to a Smith for correction.

It's just the way these Italian reproduction come. I've heard Pietta is getting real good and giving Uberti a run for thier money. But they dont make Walkers.