Worst Case Happen with Uberti Win.73

[Klaus]

Good Morning from Germany

last Saturday we have had an internal Lever Action Competition and the worst case happen to me, a lead bullet stuck in the bore and i shoot the next rounds after.

The result appears in a bulged ring at the middle of the barrel.
My Question:

Could i use this Rifle further or would it be dangerous to do that?

I have asking some Gunsmith around my home and there are some different answers given.
One said yes the other said in no way the Barrel are instable and the high pressure would damaged the barrel and can harm somebody around.

After the Bullet stuck i have shoot nearly 20 Rounds througt this bore
The precision are good as before.

thx for your input

Klaus

[Steve Anderson]

Klaus, I'm no gunsmith but it should be safe to shoot.

[Martini2]

As my Grandfather would say "9 times NINE". You did not state the caliber of your '73 rifle. In any case that particular toggle lock design is known to be harmed by high pressure. While the barrel may pass projectiles the damage could be inside the bolt or lever mechanisms. Have your gunsmith remove the side plate from action and examine the linkage for cracks or bending. You were very lucky once but a '73 can refigure your face too. Uberti does offer barrels and other parts (at least there parts are listed here in US). So rifle repair may be possible. Repairs to you anatomy might take longer.

[Randy Bohannon]

What Martini2 said.

[Klaus]

As my Grandfather would say "9 times NINE". You did not state the caliber of your '73 rifle. In any case that particular toggle lock design is known to be harmed by high pressure. While the barrel may pass projectiles the damage could be inside the bolt or lever mechanisms. Have your gunsmith remove the side plate from action and examine the linkage for cracks or bending. You were very lucky once but a '73 can refigure your face too. Uberti does offer barrels and other parts (at least there parts are listed here in US). So rifle repair may be possible. Repairs to you anatomy might take longer.

Yes you are right , my ´73 are a 44-40

Uberti sells replacement barrels but it will takes up to eight months to get a new barrel and the gunsmith`s costs are up to 800 euros incl. the Barrel.
for this price i can get a new or less used ´73

Parts of the Bolt are OK

thx for your answers

Klaus

[rdnck]

Klaus--Do not trust that gun. Replace it, DON'T repair it. The risk of serious injury is too great. Shoot straight, rdnck.

[Martini2]

Klaus, please take no offense to strong advocating of safety with your '73. It is just concern for fellow shooter interested in firearms sports. Thanks for up date on how complex it is to own and work on our favorite implements of sport and hunting. Hopefully you have another rifle to practice with. The comment was propped by history of '73 design. It was last of rifles specifically made in black Powder era. My favorite lever gun is a Win.'92 design that includes the cross over beginning of smokeless powder (higher pressure and velocity capable). In particular it was made by Rossi in 45 Colt and is a functional shooter rather than collector item.The '73s are a very attractive lot of wood and steel. But I'm pleased to report that my '92 has been used in the woods hunting for the White tail deer. In my state of OHIO they used to only allow Shotguns with slugs to hunt Deer. Fortunately recent wildlife laws changed to allow rifle weapons using straight sided brass cartridges. Only sad thing is that so far the Deer have not chosen to show themselves ;-) The light handy and accurate '92 is so much fun to shoot it also has been used on Steel Gongs out to as much as 200 yds. Hope you get refitted with repaired or suitable rifle as soon as possible. Best of luck. M2

[SgtDog0311]

No recommendation here since I don’t have the knowledge and expertise to give that but thought I’d share my experience with a Ballard I purchased. A considerable bulge was discovered midway through the sale of this gun much to my disappointment. I wanted to back out when it was disclosed. The seller is a friend and was on the phone answering questions about the bore when I asked him to run a patch through before describing the condition. I heard him say uh-oh and was then told he’d discovered a bulge. He’d never shot it himself. After talking it over we decided to proceed (me with little enthusiasm, he with a price concession if it didn’t have any accuracy).

Upon delivery I was shocked he hadn’t seen it with his eye. Being about 5” from the muzzle it was clearly visible though difficult to pinpoint with a straightedge from the outside. I had little hope for accuracy and confess I didn’t consider the stress at the breach end pointed out here. Lock up was still very good so nothing stretched out enough to detect in the lockup as the lever was closed... though links could have been stretched and replaced. With very little load development it proved quite accurate still and I forked over $1300 for a 140yr old JM Model 1 1/2. Been shooting it ever since without ill effect. Like I said, I won’t speak to the risk but a Ballard may well have absorbed most of the spike in pressure at the link so there is that.

The bulge is enough to let a patch slip with almost a free fall for the length of at least a bullet, perhaps an inch and a half. I’m assuming the lands still hold the bullet rotation but you can bet a little gas escapes - apparently with little impact on accuracy. Location could be everything in this case.

[Lumpy Grits]

Check the headspace, to be sure the toggle links haven't bent.
If headspace cks OK. It should be OK to shoot.
YOU really need to review, and adjust your reloading procedure
Gary

[SgtDog0311]

Headspace is good, toggle link is excellent.

Not sure what you find wrong with my reloading procedures since they were not elaborated on, but was not looking for a debate.

Perhaps it’s the old nitro vs BP debate, if so, I trust Sherman Bell’s work.