1970's Uberti..??

[.45colt]

I saw a Uberti '66 the other day made in the late 70's. looked good. did the earlier ones have any problems more or less than the late model ones.? pretty good price. any way to date them with the serial#. Thanks,Jim.

[gamekeeper]

I had a 70s Uberti 73 Carbine, it was a more accurate copy of the Winchester than some later models and was a reliable shooter, even though abused by the previous owner.
If you Google "Italian dates of gun manufacturers " you will get a list of the code letters stamped on Italian firearms.

[Hawkeye2]

There has been a major redesign of the interior parts since then and if anything breaks or wears out you are (S#*%) out of luck. There aren't any parts available.

[Griff]

There has been a major redesign of the interior parts since then and if anything breaks or wears out you are (S#*%) out of luck. There aren't any parts available.

Even thru VTI? My '73s span from the mid 80's to 2014 and parts are still available, and fit the earlier one. The biggest change is the firing pin extension retaining pin. Moved from .58mm to .78mm, and in this case, you want the new, bigger pin. Might be slight dimensional differences, but... a call to VTI got me parts for an old Armi San Marco revolver... long discontinued.

[.45colt]

Thanks Hawkeye, I think the thing to do is for Me to call VTI and see what they think. I have been looking for a black powder fun gun. I don't think it's ever been fired . cal 44-40.

[Bob Hatfield]

I was at a gunstore once and the gunsmith showed me an Italian 66 that had the bolt/firing pin extension damaged. He ordered a new one and it was completely different and wouldn't work. Not sure if anyone else in Italy made the Winchester replicas or not.

Bob

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I was at a gunstore once and the gunsmith showed me an Italian 66 that had the bolt/firing pin extension damaged. He ordered a new one and it was completely different and wouldn't work. Not sure if anyone else in Italy made the Winchester replicas or not.

Bob

The Uberti clones of the 66 and 73 started out with a firing pin extension retained in the bolt with a small pin across the bolt. (the early guns also had small toggle link pins the same size as the originals)
That small pin was notorious for breaking so Uberti went to a larger diameter. They continues to have problems so around 2010 they change to a retainer much like the original. This is the current setup

[Griff]

So Nate, does that require replacing the bolt & extension?

[.45colt]

I called VTI and they said that it could be a big problem as they made a lot of changes after the early 80's. Thanks Guy's.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

So Nate, does that require replacing the bolt & extension?

Yes, you would have to change both if you went with the latest update.