Looking for Thoughts on Uberti 45LC

[Delbert]

Thinking of wanting a SAA big bore pistol and came across a Uberti Cattleman that apparently is called a "Frisco" 45LC model that the LGS has. Good tight cylinder and cylinder stop, feels good in hand. Amazing thing was, it's an older model that has no safety/hammer bars, BUT, does have the C-O-L-T 4-step cocking hammer that I've seen online that people really like and want when found. I think it was the 5.5" barrel, but didn't measure. It also has some very pretty grips in pearlized ivory, but not buying for just the grips, that is I guess a factory option to give it its name over cheaper costing wood grips, but not much online about this sub-model within the Cattleman lineup. This model is also the Stoger/Uberti model according to the barrel marking and cost was around $575.

I know by looking online, that there was a few of these Colt clones that came to USA from Cimarron, Taylor and Stoger from Italy, but don't know if all came out of same factory and had different US Importers, or if there is a difference in some changes made to make one Uberti clone better than another from whatever factory they came out of in Italy within the Cattleman line. The gun I saw also had case hardening on the frame which some folks spoke of as not being real case hardening, but a case coloring style, so to speak Any thoughts on this since the frame is made of steel anyway, and what does hardening do. I know hardening is well "to harden", but hardening must do something besides just a pretty flame job that a hand held torch could do by the right person to not mess up the steel's molecules and make it brittle.

What do y'all think about this particular big bore as it will be my first in a pistol. I've seen some videos on the 357 having more problems compared to the 45LC, but that just a couple videos compared to many about these guns.

I went over to see what is said about Uberti on their forum, but there wasn't much of anything and I'm not a member to ask questions of them.

Thanks fella's
Del

 

[GYJ44]

Ubertis are excellent and the Frisco is a particularly nice one. I always say they are 95% of what you get from Colt at a quarter the price. They do a really good job with their mother of pearl substitute and their ivory as well. The Frisco is also nitre blued (incorrectly marketed as charcoal blue) and it will wear pretty fast.

All Ubertis are essentially the same. Cimarron, Taylor's, EMF (no longer), Stoeger (house brand) and Dixie Gun Works are all just importers. They will order special models, configurations and chamberings but the guns are all basically the same quality. There are some myths floating around that one is better than the others but none of it is true.

If you like it, snag it, that's a good price. They're excellent guns.

 

[GasGuzzler]

I had an Evil Roy Ubreti by Cimaron 6.5" in .45 Colt. It was very well made. Pretty sure those were hand checkered and the trigger was adjusted by a gunsmith at the plant. The case color was real not painted on, the blue was very deep, and the walnut was super nice. Sold it to a friend because I wasn't using it and couldn't find a FTF sale on a 20" blued Rossi in .45 Colt.

 

[ex13F]

All but one of my single actions are Ruger and all are in .45LC, the only one I have is a stainless Uberti El Patron. Wonderful balance and an accurate solid shooter with a smooth action. My wife claims it's hers but you know how that goes? I would probably buy it.

 

[Johnnu2]

I have ONE Uberti; called El Patron (in .45Colt). I believe that it (mine) is better than any of my three Colts. Out of the box it's action was magnificent; it did come with Uberti's 'safety action' which still gives the 4 clicks, but has a system whereby the firing pin will not contact the cartridge unless the trigger is pulled all the way back. This system did not effect the smoothness, or the trigger pull weight; it was excellent. HOWEVER, I did buy a hammer and trigger from Taylors that did NOT have the safety system; I installed it myself and there was absolutely no difference from the original as far as smoothness or pull. As far as fit and finish, again, as good as or better than my 3rd. gen Colts. I believe the color case finish is a chemical one and definitely not the color case hardened finish a la Turnbull; mine is as good as new after many cleanings with Hoppe's. The ONLY negative (and this is true of MANY SAA's) is that it shoots about 3" HIGH and 3" to the left. I corrected that by filing down the front sight and opening the rear sight channel on its right side (if I recall correctly). Now it bangs down the plates as fast as I can shoot :-). I bought mine off Gunbroker quite a few years ago for about $450 new and am absolutely delighted with it every time I pick it up. Here are two pics: one with the orig. grips (and gold lettering as it came new), and the second pic it with a set of grips that I bought and fit myslef (I can't recall for sure, but I believe I got them from Guitar Parts and More they are resin and are the higher end version offered by GP&M OR, they might be Eagle grips 'Kirinite'... can't remember fer sure).



J.

 

[gnappi]

I have a few Uberti made (Cimarron branded) revolvers, two in .45 Colt all of those I own are currently in stainless (my overwhelming preference in finish) and out of the box their finish is superb.

The triggers go from excellent to needing some break in. I've never been a fan of fixed sights but I'm no target shooter so they work fine for me.

The blued Uberti 1873 el patron competition is "hand tuned" with Wolff springs, profiled hammer, and numbered cylinders may be a rare exception to my stainless preference I may make at some point.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Uberti

 

[Delbert]

Thanks fellow shooters, but I lost out on getting the gun. A fellow got to LGS before I did by a few minutes, as I went to the showcase where it was and found out the guy just walked out door with it. Where I live it takes only a couple minutes to fill out paperwork, get approved, and out the door you go with the new purchase.

Next time I go to town, I'll have the cash with me for instant purchases, as cash is better for bargaining, than a credit card.