I have 3 BP pistols with the same problem, 2 colts and one Uberti ??

[sm03]

all three pistols were unfired and as new when I bought them, one Colt is a 2nd gen. 51 navy, the other is a Colt 1860 2nd gen. army and the Uberti is a 3rd model dragoon. All three when fired with moderate loads drop their loading levers, I've lightened the loads and made sure that the wedges are tight, everything appears normal, is this normal are is there a field fix, I can't believe the old gun fighters had to stop between each shot to relatch the levers. Thanks for any help. Steve

[Stephan]

Either the latch notch isn't deep enough..or the springs don't have enough tension..or both.

The Uberti Dragoon I bought not too long ago had the same issue..lever dropped with all but the lightest loads.

I took the loading-lever latch apart..and the spring inside had no real tension to it. Meaning that it was just long enough to fill the hole without any real preload against the latch. I put a spacer behind it so it had some real tension on the latch. This pretty much solved my lever drop issues.

You could also find a stiffer or longer spring the right diameter to replace the Uberti springs(the Colts are made from Uberti parts)

[da gimp]

So far I've never had this problem......... glad you came up with a solution Steve

[dave]

Those 2nd. generation Colts were made in Italy, I'm sure you all know, only finished and markings stamped by Colt. I have two Ubertis and no such problem, have had other Italian repro's w/o such a problem also. Luck of the draw?

[sm03]

Thanks for the reply's, I did what Stephen suggested and installed a spacer behind the springs which greatly stiffend the lock up, I haven't shot them yet but I'm fairly certain this will solve my problem.

Steve