Well, most of you know I purchased an Uberti Richards-Mason Army conversion a couple weeks ago, chambered in .45 Colt and featuring a 5.5" barrel with blued back strap and trigger guard. The reason for purchase was twofold; one being the fact that I can shoot my BPCR .45 Colt rounds out of it at my favorite BP range, but the other being that during the off-season here in the midwest (BP range is closed Dec.-April, and then only open if the road is passable), I would be able to shoot a "real" cowboy-type gun at the indoor range, which does not allow black powder. True, I do have my Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Rem. Magnum, but it's not quite the same. It's a modern handgun build for full power smokeless loads. I wanted a horse of a different color, as the Wizard might remark.
In choosing this gun, I noticed that the standard .45 Colt cartridge loaded with 35gr of 3F behind a 250gr lead pill could also be loaded, using the same bullet, to around the same muzzle velocities using smokeless (I chose a load of 7.5gr Unique) and seeing as how this little gem was proofed for smokeless (unlike many of the Kirst Konversions where the cylinder is proofed, but the barrel...not so much!) and could theoretically handle any safe SAAMI load, it just seemed the right thing to do to load up a bunch of smokeless rounds with roughly the same MV as BP would give.
So, after fixing the ubiquitous Uberti "short arbor" and ending up with a rock-solid .002 cylinder gap, I decided to head off to the indoor range and see what my new toy could do.
Well, what it could do, was SHOOT, fellers! I rolled the target backer out about midway down the 25yd range (guessing 15-17 yards?) and loaded her up. I was immediately pleased to see my shots printing and grouping quite well! In fact, lots better than the SBH ever manages to group, despite the target sights! Guess maybe I'm getting used to centering the front blade in a hammer notch? At any rate, other than printing a bit to the right, it was very pleasing to shoot...not heavy on the recoil, comfortable as all get-out and well balanced. The Army grip was, quite honestly, the most comfortable handgun I've ever held, or fired. No knuckle-bashing. No 'pinky curling'. Just point-and-shoot with Colt Navy instinctive comfort, more finger room, and better balance. As natural as falling off a log, you might say. Ok, there. I said it.
My only negative comment at this point is that the Mason ejector is about as handy as a one-armed paper hanger. It requires a clockwise quarter-twist that is both awkward and frustrating as it only works about half the time the way it should, and when you 'think' you have the empty centered in the cutout, the ejector rod seems to want to hit the meat between cylinder bores. I think a #2 Saratoga pencil would work as well, if not better, or maybe a piece of hardwood dowel rod in my range kit? Shotgun Dave says it will likely loosen up in time. Sure hope so, because it's not much good as-is!
Back to shooting...I put all 50 rounds I'd loaded as a trial basis. All grouped well shooting Weaver-style off-hand, and the gun performed like it thought I was Wild Bill or sump'n. And after popping off all 50, I put another 50 through the SBH and immediately decided, magnum or not, I liked the RM a whole lot better. So, it appears I've struck pay dirt with both the gun and the load. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, so they say.
My spent brass is in the tumbler waiting to be rejuvenated, and frankly, I can't wait!
This was one of the best decisions I've made in quite some time, and if any of you are considering similar, don't hesitate. You'll be glad you did.
50 little soldiers at attention and ready for action; 7.5gr Unique behind a 250gr cast lead bullet.
At ease, soldiers!
Tools of the trade
Fire in the hole! Ready for action on the range!
First couple cylinders...roughly 15-17 yards off-hand.
