Uberti Black Powder Revolvers - Manual

GENERAL USE AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING - Please read carefully this leaftet before using or handling your revolver!
GENERAL HINTS AND PRECAUTIONS
Our black powder revolvers are faithful replicas of original models and maintain their design
and mechanical features. They are different, of course, from modern cartridge firearms in
operation and loading.
Anybody using these guns must know that improper handling must be absolutely avoided,
so that no harm may result. This is, after all, a general rule for any firearm.
Following precautions should always be followed for safe use:
1 - Always treat a gun as if it is loaded.
2 - Use black powder only, without exceeding the recommended maximum powder
charges.
3 - Be sure that the ball is firmly seated on the powder charge before firing.
4 - Do not fail to lubricate the chambers of the loaded cylinder with suitable grease, in
order too prevent chain fire.
5 - It is a good practice to load only five chambers of a six-shot revolver, and to carry the
gun with the hammer resting on the nipple of the unloaded chamber. For better safety,
block the cylinder by placing the hammer onto any of the intermediate positions
between the chambers on the cylinder rear face (see: Loading and Shooting).
6 - Never climb or jump any obstacle with a loaded revolver in your hand.
7 - Never smoke when loading or shooting your firearm, or when handling black powder
in any way.
8 - Protect your eyes and ears when shooting.
9 - Never point muzzle of barrel towards yourself or anybody else. Be sure of your target
and that everybody is behind you when firing.
10 - Make sure that your gun is unloaded before storing it. Always store guns, powder and
caps in separate and dry places.
11 - Treat a misfire or failure to fire as though the revolver can fire at any time.
5 - Place the cylinder so that the chambers face down for easy draining.
6 - Run a cleaning patch soaked with solvent through the barrel.
7 - Run clean and dry swabs and patches into the chambers and through the barrel for thorough cleaning.
8 - During reassembly, oil all moving parts and grease the grooves of the cylinder pin.
Note: If you are going to start shooting within the day, do not oil the inside of chambers or nipples.
9 - Once the projectile has been seated in each of the chambers, grease patch should be placed over and
around the ball and opening of each chamber.
10 - A light gun oil should be used to lubricate all moving parts. Do not apply oil heavily, in order to avoid
additional fouling during shooting and more cleaning between shots.
LOADING AND SHOOTING
1 - Put on your shatterproof shooting glasses and insert ear plugs, as a black powder revolver may shower
sparks or bits of cap when fired.
2 - Be sure revolver is unloaded.
3 - Place hammer in the half-cock position.
4 - Rotate the cylinder to see that all the nipples are void of percussion caps. Remove any percussion caps
immediately.
5 - Take a wooden dowel or cleaning rod and place one end down the barrel and mark rod at muzzle. Be
sure the chamber is in line with the barrel.
6 - Remove rod and lay along outside of barrel, lining-up mark at muzzle. The opposite end of the rod
should end at the nipple, where the chamber ends. Repeat for the remaining five chambers. This
practice will assure that the gun is apparently obstructed and should be disarmed before proceeding.
7 - Set the hammer at half-cock position and check that revolver cannot be fired (i.e. that the hammer
cannot be moved) when trigger is pulled. “Half-cock” refers to the notch which allows the hammer to rest
above the nipple, thus preventing the revolver from firing when trigger is pulled.
8 - With gun pointed in a safe direction, place a percussion cap on each nipple.
Turn the cylinder so that a nipple aligns with the cutout on the right side of the frame, angle muzzle
downward.
It may be necessary to pinch the cap to assure a snug fit on the nipple.
Note: It is important to employ caps of the right size, while it is good practice to use a capper to place
caps onto nipples, in order to avoid explosion under excess finger pressure.
9 - Fully cock the hammer and fire each cap to dry out the base of the chamber and nipple. Repeat this
procedure for all six nipples to ensure the chamber is thoroughly dry.
10 - Check to be sure no unfired caps have been accidentally left on the nipples.
11 - Place hammer at half-cok position.
12 - Hold the muzzle up, with right side toward you. Be sure
no part of the body is over the revolver. Pour a measured
charge into the chamber closest to the loading cutout
(see fig. 3).
Repeat this procedure for other chambers.
13 - Place the proper-sized ball or bullet on the opening of
the chamber. The ball or bullet should be oversized, so
it will not enter (see fig. 4). If cast balls are being used,
place sprue (or flat portion) facing upward.
14 - Rotate the cylinder to place ball directly under the
plunger of the loading lever.
15 - Unlatch the loading lever and with smooth, even
pressure, seat the ball firmly on the powder, but without
crushing the powder (see fig. 5).
A thin ring of lead will be shaved off the ball by the
opening of the chamber. This occurrence illustrates that
the ball is properly fitted to the chamber and will not
loosen during shooting. Be sure ball or bullets is seated
firmly against powder. No air space should exist
between ball and powder.
16 - Repeat this loading procedure for four additional
chambers.
Note: Normally only five chambers of a six-shot gun are
loaded. The gun is used and carried with the hammer
resting on the nipple of the unloaded chamber. To do so
will reduce the possibility of any accidental firing. All Colt- and Remington-style revolvers are provided
with intermediate pins or slots between the single chambers on the rear face of cylinder. By engaging
the hammer to such pins or slots, cylinder is prevented
from rotating and accidental firing can be avoided.
Note: The grease reduces the possibility of a “chain-
fire”: that is when the flame from the first-fired chamber
crosses over and causes the other chambers to fire at
the same time (see fig. 6).
17 - With the gun pointed in safe direction and hammer in
half-cock position, place a percussion cap on each of the
loaded chambers. The guns is now loaded (see fig. 7).
18 - Pull the hammer back to fullcock position and you are
ready to fire.
19 - After firing all the chambers, wait one minute to reload.
This allows all remaining sparks to burn out prior to
reloading.
BLACK POWDER
1 - Black powder is the only safe propellant for use in any muzzle loading firearm.
2 - Always be sure to employ commercially manufactured black powder for use in muzzleloaders,
supplied by a reputable dealer, and with proper granulation.
Warning: Use of smokeless powder in any muzzleloader revolver will result in excessively high
presure and can cause serious damage to the firearm and possibly to the shooter.
3 - Black powder should be stored according to manufacturer’s instructions listed on container.
PROJECTILES
1 - The recommended projectile to assure the greatest accuracy and consistency is a round ball (cast
or swaged) of pure lead.
2 - Conical bullets, originally used to provide greater knock-down power, are not so accurate as round
balls, primarily because during loading they become canted and therefore enter the bore at an angle.
3 - Do not exceed the maximum recommended black powder charges or change powder granulation
when using these bullets.
The proper charge for a black powder revolver is an efficient load, providing consistent ignition, consistent
velocity and yields chamber pressure which is well below maximum safe levels. The full maximum charge
is seldom used except for hunting or “showing-off”.
BLACK POWDER REVOLVERS
Instruction Manual
A. Uberti
S.p.A.
Via Artigiani, 1 - Gardone V.T. (Brescia) - ITALY
WARNING: Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning
firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and
other substances known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm,
and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all
times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
RECOMMENDED BLACK POWDER CHARGES (Examples)
Caliber Black Powder Charge (Grains) Bullet
Standard Maximum
.31 9 15 Round Ball
Diameter .330”
.36 15 25 Round Ball
Diameter .375”/380”
12 15 Conical
Diameter .375”
.44 22 30 Round Ball
Diameter .454”/457”
19 25 Conical
Diameter .454”
(fig. 3)
(fig. 4)
PREPARATION BEFORE LOADING
1 - The revolver must be cleaned prior to loading, to remove
the applied preservative.
2 - Disassembly of the Colt-style revolver (see fig. 1):
a) Remove the wedge, located just forward of the cylinder,
by tapping it through the slot from the right side of the
barrel.
b) Place the hammer in the half-cock position (first audible
“click”).
c) Rotate the cylinder, so that the loading lever, when
lowered, will hit the area between the cylinder chambers.
This allows the loading lever to help in removal of the barrel
from the frame and cylinder pin.
d) Remove the cylinder from the frame.
3 - Disassembly of the Remington-style revolver (see fig. 2):
a) Partially lower loading lever so that plunger does not
enter cylinder chamber.
b) Pull out the T-shaped cylinder pin.
c) Place the hammer in the half-cock position (first audible
“click”). Cylinder will rotate out of the frame.
4 - Clean the interior of all cylinder chambers by using a cotton
swab dipped in a cleaning solvent.
fig. 1
fig. 2
(fig. 5)
(fig. 7) (fig. 6)
MALFUNCTIONS
1 - If a misfire or failure to fire occurs, wait at least one minute with gun pointed at the target. After the other
chambers have been fired.
2 - Place hammer in “half-cock” position.
3 - Rotate the cylinder and remove the cap from nipple of the misfired chamber.
4 - Push a nipple pick throught the hole in the nipple into the main charge to clear away any possible
obstruction.
5 - Seat a new cap and refire that chamber.
6 - If the gun still does not fire, wait one minute with gun pointed at target.
Note: If cylinder with loaded chamber must be removed, be sure all (unfired and fired) caps have been
removed from the nipples. It is possible for a chamber to fire even though not in the gun. This could
cause serious damage to the shooter.
7 - Place hammer in half-cock position and remove all caps.
8 - Remove cylinder from gun.
9 - Use a nipple wrench and remove the nipple of the unfired chamber.
10 - Clean the nipple thoroughly and dry it completely.
11 - Push a nipple pick through the nipple hole of the cylinder to loosen the powder at the rear of the
chamber.
12 - Pour fresh powder into the nipple hole.
13 - Reinsert and tighten nipple.
14 - Replace cylinder in gun.
15 - Place new cap onto nipple.
16 - With gun pointed in safe direction, pull hammer to fullcock position, and you are ready to fire.
17 - If gun still does not fire, remove cylinder and nipple, soak the cylinder in hot water to flush out the
powder and push the ball or bullet out from the rear of the chamber (nipple hole end), using and
aluminium, wood or brass rod.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
1 - Black powder fouling is extremely corrosive and can rust the barrel and cylinder in a short time.
All black powder guns must be thoroughly cleaned after firing is completed.
2 - Completely disassemble the gun.
3 - Wipe off the grips.
4 - Soak all metal parts in hot water and dish detergent and wipe off the fouling, or use a brush and black
powder solvent, to scrub off the fouling.
5 - Rinse all the metal parts in boiling hot water, then thoroughly dry.
6 - When cooled, wipe all parts with a rust preventative; lightly oil moving parts, grease grooves of cylinder
pin and reassemble.
7 - Store firearms in a dry place with sufficient ventilation.