S-T, my comment about the firing pin was based upon the old original Uberti design which has recently been updated into a safety-type Mann-Neidner style. This update removed my main concern with the action, that is, a too-complicated firing pin assembly with no added safety features in return for the added complications. The newly-updated design is fine IMO.
The presence of two springs is redundant since the original design used only the leaf spring to accomplish both lever and hammer tensions. A properly-timed coil spring action doesn't need the separate lever spring since the hammer will keep tension on the lever via the link anyway. I emphasize the term 'properly-timed' here; most walls are not timed well at all IMO, the lever goes too far over-center and drops the block to an inordinate degree before finally seating in the trigger plate. All of that unnecessary lost motion contributes to a low firing pin strike, broken firing pin noses and more headspace than necessary. I wrote a couple of articles in the ASSRA Journal about this problem and one solution for it, around 4-5 years ago. Frank de Haas detailed several aspects of the problem and the solution in his seminal work Single Shot Rifles and Actions, a very handy book every single shot enthusiast should own.
My own opinion (worth every penny you're paying for it, BG) about the original wall steel can be inferred from my latest project, a 300 WSM bull barrel on my high wall test mule action. Strictly an experiment to utilize a superb Douglas 30-cal bull barrel and to create a poor man's rimmed wildcat for single shot rifles by forming 348 WCF brass to use in the 300 WSM chamber, with rim cut performed on the lathe while chambering. Weighs 17 lbs and might need wheels! My friend Marvin the Aerial Applicator has an 800-yd rifle range on his duster strip up in The Delta and occasionally invites us up for a shooting session on paper and local tick birds (cattle egrets) plaguing the catfish farmers. Many of the catfish ponds are laid out in 40s (40 acres, 440 yds X 440 yds) or 80s (80 acres, 440 yds X 880 yds) and can provide good long-range sport for the right combination. He shoots a Ruger No 1 bull barrel in 300 Improved Mag (built especially for the Hickory Egg Shoot) and I hope to blow his doors off!
Regards, Joe
