Wedge for Uberti 1851

[01KLR650]

Longtime reader, firstime poster.

I have a circa 2003 Uberti 1851 Navy Squareback that looked to be unfired when I got it. The original wedge was driven in so deeply that the barrel was dragging on the cylinder due to the short arbor. A previous owner tried to fix the problem by filing the back of the barrel at an angle.

I replaced the barrel with one from Dixie, corrected the arbor issue and cleaned up the rough spots inside the frame. Unfortunately, I also got a little overzealous draw filing the original wedge.

It fits, but goes in pretty far, so I thought I'd get a spare. This is turning out to be harder than I thought.

I ordered one from Taylor's. They were out of Uberti wedges and sent me a Pietta wedge, which was too small--smaller, in fact, than my modified original. It measured 1 1/16" long, 7/16" wide at the front, and 1/2" wide at the rear.

Ryan at Taylor's took the time to send me some comparison pics to show the Uberti and Pietta wedges were the same size. I have a Pietta 1860, so I kept the part as a spare for it.

I then tried Dixie. The wedge I received was far too big! It measures 1 3/8” long, 9/16” wide at the front, and a little over 5/8” wide at the back. I suspect it's for a Walker or Dragoon. Dixie wants me to send it back (possibly on my dime) so they can check it out.

I understand that parts need to be fitted, but these two were so far off that I don't think either one was correct.

Has anyone successfully ordered and fitted a replacement wedge for an Uberti Navy?

Thanks in advance. I've learned a lot reading the posts on this forum.

 

[noelf2]

Might want to try VTI gun parts. They usually keep pretty good stock. It's part # 4 on this site: http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=297&cat=Uberti+1851+Navy

I know that a more adjustable solution is to drill and tap a hole in the tip of the arbor through to the wedge slot, and use a set screw to adjust the pressure on the wedge.

 

[Fingers McGee]

I'll second the VTI recommendation. I've gotten Uberti wedges from them in the past that fit perfectly

 

[Steel Hayes]

https://m.ebay.com/itm/New-Uberti-1...868476?hash=item1a5480abfc:g:K~8AAOSwefVZnOPc

 

[J-Bar]

I recently fitted Dragoon wedge into a Uberti 1851 slot, as a consequence of overzealous and uninformed filing. I had to thin it as well as narrow it down, but it did not take that long and it works fine. I had previously corrected the arbor length problem so barrel-cylinder gap did not change when I seated the new wedge securely with the tap of a mallet. I know, I know, there are those who say thumb pressure only, and that is fine when the wedge does not work loose. But I do not mind having a wedge that takes the tap of a mallet and drift to remove. I know the wedge is not going to come out during a competition run and I like the peace of mind rather than worrying about a barrel and rammer assembly going downrange.

 

[noelf2]

But I do not mind having a wedge that takes the tap of a mallet and drift to remove. I know the wedge is not going to come out during a competition run and I like the peace of mind rather than worrying about a barrel and rammer assembly going downrange.

They are supposed to be tapped to remove. You shouldn't have to remove them until you clean the gun anyway.

Also, I just verified that VTI is out of Uberti 1851/60 wedges. Might want to give them a call so see when they'll be in stock. Until then, I would just use the wedge you have, even though it seats deeper than normal. Not really a big deal, unless it's loose and wiggly.

 

[01KLR650]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and links! I really appreciate the help.

I am going to try shooting it with the wedge I have. It does lock everything up nicely, but there isn't a lot of room for wear.

If they ever get back in stock, I'll try a stock wedge to start with, and then try the set screw method or a modified Dragoon wedge if that doesn't work.

 

[noelf2]

Here's the set screw in my Uberti 1860. Put there by Mike at goons gunworks.

 

[44 Dave]

View attachment 794116 View attachment 794117 Here's the set screw in my Uberti 1860. Put there by Mike at goons gunworks.

This is the way to make a wedge fit correctly !!

 

[LonesomePigeon]

If you have a wedge that is just slightly too narrow, try taking the wedge screw out of the barrel. The wedge will go in a little farther and that might be enough to get a tight fit.

 

[tranders]

View attachment 794116 View attachment 794117 Here's the set screw in my Uberti 1860. Put there by Mike at goons gunworks.

Thank you for the picture. I was trying to imagine how that worked.

 

[Navy Six 2]

FWIW, I have purchased a number of new wedges for Uberti and Pietta 51/60/61 models. In each case, the Uberti was a bit wider but about the same thickness. I needed to replace a Pietta 51 Navy wedge and the newly ordered one was actually smaller(less width) than the damaged original. I tried a USED Uberti wedge in the Pietta and it fit perfectly. I filed that away as good to know in the future. The set screw modification to the arbor by Goons looks like the way to go, but I will soon try another recommended fix--that of silver soldering shim material (auto feeler gauges)to the side of wedge.