Does Uberti answer their E-mails??

[Muir]

I have e-mailed Uberti three times in the last month about a problem I'm having with my 1873 Carbine 44-40. You'd think that a problem with an $800 rifle would draw a little feedback? FYI: The problem is that NO 44-40 cartridge, or new, virgin unprimed brass for that matter, will allow the lever to close. The cartridge seats flush and easily in the chamber but breechbolt won't go forward enough to close the lever...and I mean by a great deal. It's definitely a headspace problem. (sigh!) ~Muir

[Muir]

Miss Kitty: Thanks for the Uberti number. I called them but they refused to work on it. The rifle is 20 years old and was part of a display -never fired. They said that they (Stoeger) never imported any 1873's in 44-40 so they "wouldn't have any parts" for one. I'm confused, to say the least. I could have sworn Uberti imports a 1873 carbine. Oh well...~Muir

[cable]

you need to call the old uberti importer in connecticutt; they still supply parts for the guns they imported in the past; and most certainnly a 44/40 was available in the '73; i have 3 of them myself!!!

[Muir]

Cable and others: Thanks for the help. Uberti actually got a hold of me regarding that 44-40 of mine. They were apologetic, but it is a no-go for repair.

It seems that the "Aldo Uberti" that made my rifle is no longer in business. The current "Aldo Uberti" will not have parts nor will repair any gun but those that they, the current "Aldo Uberti" is producing. In the world of corporate restructuring I can see where they might do this, but I see the same letter "U" surrounded by the octagon on my oldest and newest Uberti's and have to wonder how far their commitment to their product goes. After all, it looks like the same company to me. I'd hate to think that is I shelled out $1000 on a deluxe '73 rifle today, and Uberti somehow changed hands tomorrow, I'd be out inthe cold with respect to warranty.

If I sound a little bitter, well, I think I have a right to be. Especially when my rifle has always had a headspace that is .010" too tight to allow a cartridge to chamber. Uberti's suggestion was to find a commercial gunsith to handle it. That is no problem in my case: I can do the work myself, but it's a major annoyance to pull the barrel and buy a chambering reamer.

Still, it will get done. I thank the kind folks from Stoeger who, despite tied hands, were kind enough to keep calling and missing me. Stoeger, at least, follows through on their end. ~Muir