So, after discovering that my new (to me) Uberti SAA was out of time, I contacted
Uberti via their website to inqure about a repair job, only to be told that it's an older import via an importer that they no longer use, as as such, they won't work on it even if I pay. They punted me off to
VTI Gun Parts, a company that sells parts, and they in turn referred me to a Winchester, VA-based company that sells and fixes western replica firearms. That outfit,
Taylor's and Company, has a gunsmith named Tom who spent quite a bit of time with me yesterday when I dropped in on the way home from the doctor's office. He works on these guns for a living and he showed me how the cylinder on this particular pistol, which was probably made back in the 1970s or early 1980s, was poorly machined originally, which is probably why it's jumping time now. But he says that he'll fix it for me just as soon as I can get my hands on a new cylinder from VTI. And the trip wasn't wasted, as Tom taught me quite a bit about these western replicas and cowboy-action shooting.
Now I just got off the phone with VTI and they did indeed have the cylinder that I needed; it's on the way here now. And the nice lady there gave me a ton more information about these pistols and the fitting of the parts, so I'm definitely getting an education if nothing else.
I'm glad you were able to find a local source who was friendly, knowledgeable, etc - cool!
ReplyDeleteMy experience with Taylor's is limited to having purchased some BP accessories (long-range tang & hooded front sights, etc.) and briefly visiting with them at the SHOT shows way back when they held them here - but I always found them very satisfactory. That their GS engaged your issue instead of shirking - even though it wasn't their gun - speaks very well for their company.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip/link to VTI - I was not familiar with them. Back when my 21 year old son was about 3, I bought a couple of 1858 Remington repros at the Sidney Cabela's: an engraved holster model, and a Cattleman's Carbine. I've long wanted to get spare cylinders for both of them, so VTI might be just the ticket.
Yeas... :-)
ReplyDeleteThat makes me somewhat reluctant to buy that Uberti rifle I've been considering. If it's their gun they should stand behind it. Period. As an example I have a very old Sig P226 and I do mean old. I bought it used, probably 4th or 5th (or more) hand. When it quit Sig fixed it for free, no questions asked and I do mean none. They didn't care. It's ours and it's broken? Sorry about that. Please send it to us and we'll return it fixed.
ReplyDeleteIrritates me it does.
I know. When I bought a used Henry rifle from a pawn shop and that rifle turned out to have been damaged by a previous owner, I called Henry just to ask if they'd be willing to fix it at my expense because I didn't expect any sort of warranty coverage but they insisted on fixing it for free and covering shipping both ways, saying that they stand behind their products all the way.
ReplyDeleteLet Uberti know what you think and if you get a chance, ask them about their policy of not covering their older guns, especially ones where a gunsmith is willing to state that the problem was caused by the fact that the factory machining was sub-par.
Done. I sent a very pointed e-mail. No response yet.
ReplyDelete