Walker vs. Dragoon

Model12Win · December 15, 2015, 10:23 PM

Hello all!

I have been thinking about which gun I would want to purchase and fire more. Not originals, I don't have that kind of cash, but replicas from Uberti:

3rd Model Dragoon:

Walker:

I like the Walker because of it's just over the top proportions, it's power, is almost crudeness. It's a brute of a gun. It's history is unique and almost legendary.

I like the Dragoon as well, the 3rd model would be my pick. The Dragoon has a rich history as well, and were used much more heavily in the U.S. Civil War of which I am very interested in. It seems like a bit more practical of a gun, but is still impressive.

If you had to pick one of these new replicas, which would it be and why?

hartcreek · December 15, 2015, 10:34 PM

I picked the Uberti Walker. It was on sale for $279, it holds 10 grains more powder, little weight difference from the Dragoon, I find myself archery hunting on bear paths.

Bishop Creek · December 15, 2015, 11:04 PM

I have never owned a Dragoon, but will some day. Meanwhile I enjoy loading up 50 grains of black powder (will hold 60) in each chamber and firing my Walker. Older, made in the 1990s, but what a beast!

Hawg · December 15, 2015, 11:15 PM

I went with the third model Dragoon.

DPris · December 16, 2015, 01:18 AM

I'd go with the Dragoon simply for the lever latch.
Denis

Hawg · December 16, 2015, 01:55 AM

Mine drops every other shot with 40 grains, every shot with 50.

foolzrushn · December 16, 2015, 09:41 AM

so the latch on the 3rd Dragoons doesn't hold either? Is this common to many, or just something with that latch? Have you heard that same complaint from others?

I was thinking like DPris.

Hawg · December 16, 2015, 10:29 AM

I haven't heard of any and my latch looks like it has good hookup. It's a booger to take down by hand.

freedom475 · December 16, 2015, 11:03 AM

I did a "tiny" bit of surgery on my Walker latch and it doesn't drop now...matter of fact when I first fixed my latch notch, I was unable to operate my loading lever because it was so tightly held after my modification.

I wore out my first Walker, but when it was new and I tried to "fix" it's latch by bending the spring catch....it just blew-out my spring latch dovetail

...so a friend of mine TIG welded it back onto the barrel and it never dropped again.

Never owned a Dragoon.....but the Walker is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

maillemaker · December 16, 2015, 12:06 PM

Yup, the Walker drops its lever while shooting, no doubt. You can fix it with a rubber band or stitch yourself a small loop of leather.

Steve

Hellgate · December 16, 2015, 10:04 PM

Here's a post I saved back in 1998:

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 17:12:46 -0800
From: Yellowhouse Jake <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Walkers from Cabellas

>I mentioned here on the list that my Walker drops the loading lever most every >time a full-house load goes off. On Walkers the loading lever is held in >place by>a "T" spring, mounted on the barrel near the rammer hing. On the Dragoon >models,>Colt got rid of that and went to the spring loaded catch at the end of the>loading lever.
> Bottom Dealin' Mike

I had that problem off and on with both my Walkers and I found an easy fix. I made a slight undercut on the upper (barrel) side of the spring, than I relieved the undercut inside the loading lever. Where the spring is round normally, mine has a very slight flat spot parallel to the underside on the barrel. The latching is very positive and I have never experienced a dropped lever since. I use 40+ grains in both revolvers with no problems. I have shot them this way for several years now with no spring breakage, and no drops. The lever latching is REAL positive though, unlatching with
gloves on can be a problem once the grease accumulates under the barrel.

Yellowhouse Jake.

PS order a spare spring before using the file, jus' in case ;^)

I have a nice photo that this website won't let me post 'cause I posted it already here:
http://TheFiringLine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500013 (see reply #5) for photo of my ram spring after filing on it.

Also you can reduce ram dropping by going to FFg from FFFg. My load in my Walkers was 44grs FFg+wad+.454 ball +over ball grease. I called them my 44/44s

Peter M. Eick · December 17, 2015, 03:27 PM

Walker fan here.

I enjoy my monopod walker a lot but I tend to load it toward the 55 to 65 grns of Pyrodex. Mine is chocked full!

December 15, 2015, 10:23 PM	#1
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Walker vs. Dragoon Hello all! I have been thinking about which gun I would want to purchase and fire more. Not originals, I don't have that kind of cash, but replicas from Uberti: 3rd Model Dragoon: Walker: I like the Walker because of it's just over the top proportions, it's power, is almost crudeness. It's a brute of a gun. It's history is unique and almost legendary. I like the Dragoon as well, the 3rd model would be my pick. The Dragoon has a rich history as well, and were used much more heavily in the U.S. Civil War of which I am very interested in. It seems like a bit more practical of a gun, but is still impressive. If you had to pick one of these new replicas, which would it be and why?

December 16, 2015, 09:41 AM	#7
foolzrushn Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2015 Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 396	Hawg and others... so the latch on the 3rd Dragoons doesn't hold either? Is this common to many, or just something with that latch? Have you heard that same complaint from others? I was thinking like DPris. __________________ If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate ! certified 'soap welder'

December 16, 2015, 11:03 AM	#9
freedom475 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2008 Location: Rocky Mountains of Montana Posts: 292	I did a "tiny" bit of surgery on my Walker latch and it doesn't drop now...matter of fact when I first fixed my latch notch, I was unable to operate my loading lever because it was so tightly held after my modification. I wore out my first Walker, but when it was new and I tried to "fix" it's latch by bending the spring catch....it just blew-out my spring latch dovetail...so a friend of mine TIG welded it back onto the barrel and it never dropped again. Never owned a Dragoon.....but the Walker is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Maker of Horse Tack and Cowboy Gear. www.7xleather.com Mister, why do you carry a 45? "Cause Sam Colt don't make a 46."

December 16, 2015, 10:04 PM	#11
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	Here's a post I saved back in 1998: Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 17:12:46 -0800 From: Yellowhouse Jake <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Walkers from Cabellas >I mentioned here on the list that my Walker drops the loading lever most every >time a full-house load goes off. On Walkers the loading lever is held in >place by>a "T" spring, mounted on the barrel near the rammer hing. On the Dragoon >models,>Colt got rid of that and went to the spring loaded catch at the end of the>loading lever. > Bottom Dealin' Mike I had that problem off and on with both my Walkers and I found an easy fix. I made a slight undercut on the upper (barrel) side of the spring, than I relieved the undercut inside the loading lever. Where the spring is round normally, mine has a very slight flat spot parallel to the underside on the barrel. The latching is very positive and I have never experienced a dropped lever since. I use 40+ grains in both revolvers with no problems. I have shot them this way for several years now with no spring breakage, and no drops. The lever latching is REAL positive though, unlatching with gloves on can be a problem once the grease accumulates under the barrel. Yellowhouse Jake. PS order a spare spring before using the file, jus' in case ;^) I have a nice photo that this website won't let me post 'cause I posted it already here: http://TheFiringLine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500013 (see reply #5) for photo of my ram spring after filing on it. Also you can reduce ram dropping by going to FFg from FFFg. My load in my Walkers was 44grs FFg+wad+.454 ball +over ball grease. I called them my 44/44s __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

December 17, 2015, 03:27 PM	#12
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	Walker fan here. I enjoy my monopod walker a lot but I tend to load it toward the 55 to 65 grns of Pyrodex. Mine is chocked full! __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

December 15, 2015, 10:34 PM	#2
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	I picked the Uberti Walker. It was on sale for $279, it holds 10 grains more powder, little weight difference from the Dragoon, I find myself archery hunting on bear paths.

December 15, 2015, 11:04 PM	#3
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	I have never owned a Dragoon, but will some day. Meanwhile I enjoy loading up 50 grains of black powder (will hold 60) in each chamber and firing my Walker. Older, made in the 1990s, but what a beast!

December 15, 2015, 11:15 PM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I went with the third model Dragoon.

December 16, 2015, 01:18 AM	#5
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	I'd go with the Dragoon simply for the lever latch. Denis

December 16, 2015, 01:55 AM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Mine drops every other shot with 40 grains, every shot with 50.

December 16, 2015, 10:29 AM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I haven't heard of any and my latch looks like it has good hookup. It's a booger to take down by hand.

December 16, 2015, 12:06 PM	#10
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	Yup, the Walker drops its lever while shooting, no doubt. You can fix it with a rubber band or stitch yourself a small loop of leather. Steve