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Anyone Mod Their Walkers?

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DevilsLuck

40 Cal
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I've been admiring the massive Walker pistols, and have been pretty impressed with the power they produce. However it hasn't escaped me that the loading lever has a habit of dropping down due to recoil. It seems like a simple "fix". And for those not necessarily concerned about historical accuracy, and prefer to focus on functionaliy, a rod catch like the 1860 Army has would seem to be a no brainer.
Has anyone tried this? I've seen the filing of the retention spring mentioned in numerous videos, but it doesnt really seem to be very effective.
 
I used a rawhide strap just big enough to go over the barrel and the loading lever. No more issues. If you wanted a modified Walker the 1848 Whitneyville Hartford Dragoon version is the transition from the Walker to the 1st model Dragoon and it is historically accurate without having to do the modifications. Uberti makes one that is very nice out of the box.
 
20190108_222633.jpg


Even my brand new Uberti 2nd model Dragoon ram rod would fall on every shot. I put spacer under latch spring to gain full tension and so far so good.
 
I have a Walker that I usually shoot max loads in. I have had the lever drop a couple times when I first got it , but it hasn't done it for a long time. Consider it a non issue. Maybe I just got lucky. Mine does not drop the lever and I have not modified or filed it.
 
A few original Walkers sported a Dragoon loading lever catch and mod to the end of the lever. I have heard Colt did a few but I suspect they were done later in the gun's life. This photo is said to be an original including the holster.
6bd79f2f7170b6636cb95d0036b1b778.jpg
 
My walker drops the lever on occasion, but not regularly. It could be a combination of managing the recoil and a good retention spring. I like the idea of a piece of leather, or even a rubber band. For me, I accept the revolver the way it was designed. No need for me to overthink stuff. I just enjoy. :cool:
 
I believe the originals used by the Rangers used a leather strap.

I think the Dragoon lever spring might need to be modded, I had a 3rd Model Uberti and it also dropped the lever. I think a stronger catch spring would fix it.

The Dragoons are simply slightly downsized Walkers , so if you're concerned with the lever dropping just go with one of those. The Dragoon is still a massive Six Gun.
 
I even did the mod where the spring tang is filed. I filed it to almost lock up and it did improve but still would fall at least once per 6 rounds.
 
I believe the originals used by the Rangers used a leather strap.

I think the Dragoon lever spring might need to be modded, I had a 3rd Model Uberti and it also dropped the lever. I think a stronger catch spring would fix it.

The Dragoons are simply slightly downsized Walkers , so if you're concerned with the lever dropping just go with one of those. The Dragoon is still a massive Six Gun.
I’d like to get one of each eventually.
 
I’d like to get one of each eventually.
Pull the spring out of latch and put a spacer under spring long enough to put the full force of the spring against the latch. Mine took a spacer close to 3/8 long.
 
That’s pretty crafty. A “how to” thread on making those would probably be well received.
Pretty self explanatory. Can be made from aluminum, brass or ferrous. Top part just has to be stiff enough it doesn't spread. Make ID of top about 1/16 big so a thin piece of leather can be glued in to protect barrel and provide mild grip. I used ferrous so I could weld it together with my wire welder. Could braze.
It fits snug enough there is no issues when removing pistol from a holster. But have to note that I custom make and form my holsters to the pistol. Have no idea if there would be any issues with ready made holsters. I've thought about making them but really don't know what it would be worth. They are so easy to make I don't think there would be much of a market for them. Even if a person didn't have ability to weld or braze it would be simple enough to drill 2 holes and brad the pieces together.
Anyway, it ain't pretty but it works and won't run any risk of failing from easy breakage or any kind of material degrade over time.
 
Pretty self explanatory. Can be made from aluminum, brass or ferrous. Top part just has to be stiff enough it doesn't spread. Make ID of top about 1/16 big so a thin piece of leather can be glued in to protect barrel and provide mild grip. I used ferrous so I could weld it together with my wire welder. Could braze.
It fits snug enough there is no issues when removing pistol from a holster. But have to note that I custom make and form my holsters to the pistol. Have no idea if there would be any issues with ready made holsters. I've thought about making them but really don't know what it would be worth. They are so easy to make I don't think there would be much of a market for them. Even if a person didn't have ability to weld or braze it would be simple enough to drill 2 holes and brad the pieces together.
Anyway, it ain't pretty but it works and won't run any risk of failing from easy breakage or any kind of material degrade over time.
I bet one made from blackened brass would look great.
 
My Uberti would drop it's lever with a filled chamber and round ball but not with the slower recoil of longer bullets. Lyman #45266 (bevel base SWC) and RCBS #45-225-CAV (basically a shorty maxi) both did an admirable job as stand-in for the Walker "conicals".
 
My Uberti would drop it's lever with a filled chamber and round ball but not with the slower recoil of longer bullets. Lyman #45266 (bevel base SWC) did an admirable job as stand-in for the Walker "conicals".
Half the reason I find the Walker so appealing is the ridonculous max power load. Sure... I’d beat mine to death. But hey! That’s what excites me about it. That’s why I’m trying to be proactive in regards to this issue. Because the walker is almost certainly going to be my next BP purchase. And in the not too distant future I might add...
 
walkerfix.jpg

Simple to make a latch that really works. I did this after the "catch-spring" on my ASM Walker broke.
 
Just out of curiosity what is a good used Walker going for these days? Are they still readily available to us "broke" guys? And a new one still in the box is more than likely out of the question.
 

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