Hi everyone,
Wanted to share my experience with the Uberti Cattlemen II (or "new model") revolvers. I picked up a pair this spring for cowboy action shooting in 45 Colt, and their performance hasn't been what I would call reliable. Both suffer from off-center primer strikes that can cause lead to shear off the bullet and/or also cause significant tumbling (see the photo for one that actually hit the paper; usually they don't). One of them had primer strikes so off-center that the cartridges wouldn't even ignite (I found this out the hard way during a match). One had off-center strikes every 25ish cartridges, while the other would do it every 10 to 15 cartridges. This occurred with both handloaded and factory new cartridges, and with both Remington and CCI primers.
I sent the worst of the 2 back to the factory for repair, and they said they fixed timing issues associated with the gun. Their customer service was pretty hassle free, and they had the gun back to me in about 2 weeks. I'm in the process of testing this gun now, and it does run better, but I haven't put many through it currently.
All in all the guns look and feel great, but I would not recommend them for competition or higher volume shooting due to reliability issues. Also, make sure you have a gunsmith screwdriver set, because the screws can loosen up significantly and fly off during firing (voice of experience). But it's ok if you lose them, because Uberti will only charge you $22 for a replacement nut and spring...ouch....
I'm transitioning mine out for Ruger Vaqueros.
Shoot Straight,
Shed
Wanted to share my experience with the Uberti Cattlemen II (or "new model") revolvers. I picked up a pair this spring for cowboy action shooting in 45 Colt, and their performance hasn't been what I would call reliable. Both suffer from off-center primer strikes that can cause lead to shear off the bullet and/or also cause significant tumbling (see the photo for one that actually hit the paper; usually they don't). One of them had primer strikes so off-center that the cartridges wouldn't even ignite (I found this out the hard way during a match). One had off-center strikes every 25ish cartridges, while the other would do it every 10 to 15 cartridges. This occurred with both handloaded and factory new cartridges, and with both Remington and CCI primers.
I sent the worst of the 2 back to the factory for repair, and they said they fixed timing issues associated with the gun. Their customer service was pretty hassle free, and they had the gun back to me in about 2 weeks. I'm in the process of testing this gun now, and it does run better, but I haven't put many through it currently.
All in all the guns look and feel great, but I would not recommend them for competition or higher volume shooting due to reliability issues. Also, make sure you have a gunsmith screwdriver set, because the screws can loosen up significantly and fly off during firing (voice of experience). But it's ok if you lose them, because Uberti will only charge you $22 for a replacement nut and spring...ouch....
I'm transitioning mine out for Ruger Vaqueros.
Shoot Straight,
Shed