I've handled (but not shot) both the C.Sharps and Uberti 1885. The former was clearly better made. Last month I got to try an Uberti Low Wall with a 30" barrel in .45 Colt. It had a wonderful balance, but the contours on the lever were rather crudely finished. 

Uberti uses a modified coil spring action, and I think the C.Sharps has the original flat spring style.

I've inspected other Uberti over the years, and you do get what you pay for: The Uberti is the low cost option. If it's all your budget allows, give it a try.

I really like Uberti's selection of firearms, but I've only owned one, a single action in .38 Spl, which I bought about 4 years ago. It was garbage. As designed, the ejector rod didn't line up with the cylinder and bound up on the empty cases. It wasn't full stroke regardless. After only a few dozen rounds, one could see the hammer face peening on the frame mounted firing pin. Also, the firing pin was misshapen and would hang up in the fired primer, locking up the gun; the distributor was able to fix that, at least. The binding ejector rod I fixed by bending it slightly with a hammer; the steel was very soft. That revolver is long gone.

I've wanted a toggle link lever action and have inspected numerous Uberti at a few stores of late. The factory engraving and wood upgrades are a temptation, but I've seen too many of the basic rifles where the screw head recesses on the receivers were oval instead of round. Engraving on such would be lipstick on a pig.

Speaking of Uberti factory engraving, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links). Oh, dear.

All that said, the CAS guys at the local range generally have Uberti rifles and like them. They are practical, but they would for me lack the pride in ownership factor. Still, I just may get one for fun shooting.

I'd like to see Uberti open a proper custom shop, where any gun in their line up costs twice as much but is assembled by a guy who has the time to select, fit, and finish all the parts in the gun. He'd also give the eye to the engraving and wood upgrades to verify they pass muster. Dream on...

KWK wrote on Dec 26^th, 2021 at 2:34pm:


C. Sharps uses a coil spring too.

Chris.
 

KWK wrote on Dec 26^th, 2021 at 2:34pm:

I know next to nothing about the spaghetti rifles other than they run the gamut from low-cost, low-end to very nice (Pedersoli), but difficult to get repaired or finds parts for.

There are two High Wall makers in the USA at the moment. C. Sharps Arms is a coil-spring action (post-1906 design) that is faithful reproduction of the original. C. Sharps will build you a High Wall in most any rimmed cartridge and configuration from around $2500 to as much as you want to spend.

The other High Wall builder, MVA (Montana Vintage Arms) offers only a complete action, which is a flat-spring (pre-1906) reproduction. Like the C. Sharps, is an excellent piece with great support. But, you need a gunsmith to add wood and a barrel and  finish work.

1874 Sharps from the USA are offered by C. Shaprs and Shiloh Sharps. Both are excellent quality and, again, start at around $2500 and go to as much as you want to spend, with all sorts of trigger and wood and finish options.

There are major differences between the two rifle designs. The High Wall, when fully opened, cocks the hammer when the action is closed and it is ready to fire. Once fired, all that is needed to eject the shell is open the action fully. Fast & simple with no manual cocking of the hammer required. Also, the High Wall action has a good amount of camming action so a longer cartridge can usually be fully seated by just closing the block. The High Wall is the simplest of our actions with exposed hammer for actual use.

The 1874 requires one to place the hammer at half-cock prior to opening the action to prevent dragging the firing pin on the case and eventually breaking same. Once a cartridge is placed into the chamber it must be fully seated as the Sharps action has no camming action to speak of. Once the action is closed the hammer must be fully cocked manually. 

In actual use, the only spare part that one needs to carry with the High Wall is a spare firing pin. With the 1874, a spare firing pin, transfer bar and a couple of the springs are suggested. 

Both can be highly accurate when in the hands of someone who knows how to load for and shoot the rifle. Pick the one from C. Sharps, MVA or Shiloh Sharps that appeals to you the most and enjoy.

KWK wrote on Dec 26^th, 2021 at 4:25pm:


I've had an Uberti SAA in .32-20 for a long time. Bought it simply because I love the .32-20 cartridge, and wanted one on a SAA revolver. It's a very nicely fitted and finished gun, but only complaint I had was it shot to the right, and of course with fixed notch in the top strap there was only one fix. I took my jeweler's file and opened up the notch to center the sight, and get it hitting dead center. 
It's not as slick, and smooth an action as my American Western Arms SAA, but considering the price difference it's a lot of gun for less money. No problems with it in many years of shooting.

gunlaker wrote on Dec 26^th, 2021 at 11:47pm:


Thanks. I've not seen a drawing for one. 

Do they use a plunger to tension the under-lever? Uberti chose to use a flat spring off the barrel for that; de Haas shows the plunger.

Uberti's drawing shows a bushed, spring retracted firing pin. What is C.Sharps using? Just curious.

KWK wrote on Dec 28^th, 2021 at 1:12am:


Yeah the lever is held up with a plunger on the C. Sharps 1885's.   

Chris.