Author Topic: Range report: Doug Turnbull USFAMC SA revolver. (Read 1728 times)

Dusty Miller · « **on:** June 14, 2005, 12:43:36 PM »

Well, it ain't good. This sucker will not go into full cock position with 6 rounds in the cylinder. As a matter of fact it won't do it with more than 3 rounds. On top of that, it shoots high and left, but I'll deal with that later. Right now I guess I've got to take my new $1150 gun to a gunsmith and get it fixed. Man, I'm sure glad I didn't buy one of them cheapo Japanese guns!! :wink:

Matt in AK · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2005, 01:01:04 PM »

Man, what a disappointment. That's the first negative report I"ve seen on one of those guns. Have you contacted Doug Turnbull or USFA? I'd be curious as to their response and remedy, if any.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2005, 04:53:35 PM »

I'll give USFAC a call in the morning and see what they have to say. Right now I'm getting ready for a pig hunt this weekend in Monterey and there are other priorities on my mind.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2005, 12:37:52 AM »

I too have never heard of a problem with a single one of them. Might be a dumb question but did you check your primer dept or try a factory loaded round in it to see if its the ammo causing the trouble.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2005, 11:52:39 AM »

Nope. That ammo works just fine in my Vaquero THEREFORE it should work in the USFA gun. They answered my e-mail and said to send them the gun.

Yukon Gold · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2005, 06:45:06 AM »

Dusty Wrote:

Quote

That ammo works just fine in my Vaquero THEREFORE it should work in the USFA gun

Dusty,

I have two of Turnbull's USFA's - absolute gems in every way.... however, got to disagree (somewhat) with your statement. The USFA's are tight, very tight, and if my primers are not fully seated, I too have problems (just like my Freedom Arms '83).
These problems do not appear in my Vaqueros/Blackhawks. I would guess it has more to do with me getting sloppy with my primers, than with the gun. Maybe the Rugers have more "slop room" for error?

I got the Turnbull USFA for their quality and beauty - would hate to think they sent something out the door out of whack.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2005, 09:37:00 AM »

I'll run a half dozen cartridges thru my primer seater and see if that makes any difference.

jd45 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2005, 02:20:57 PM »

Dusty, please keep us posted.....I'm really curious how this turns out as I just ordered a USFA revolver....thanx, jd45

mac266 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2005, 04:42:27 AM »

Sorry to hear it. I have an AWA with his case hardening, and it's great. I hope he makes it right for you.

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2005, 10:33:26 AM »

Been a long time, surely contact has been made by now. So what's the story?

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2005, 07:12:45 PM »

The gun still rests in my safe, I've been working 12 hour shifts and just about EVERYTHING gets put off until I get more time. I will, however, have some time in the morning to seat six primers good and deep to see if that's the problem. If that ain't it then sometime next week I'll get it shipped off.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2005, 09:48:13 PM »

So, on the 2nd of July I FINALLY get back to doing some serious work at the loading bench. I took several cartridges, from my supply of 45 Colt ammo, and set the primers in really tight. GUESS WHAT? The gun will cock! OK, in the next day or two I'm hope'n to get to the range and give it a good workout. Needless to say, I feel much better now. :lol:

jd45 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2005, 03:37:11 AM »

Good News, Dusty!!! Let's keep a good thought,.......Happy 4th of July! jd45

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2005, 03:38:37 PM »

Well, this situation took a turn for the worse when I went to the range today and had the VERY SAME PROBLEM! This with a bag of ammo that I'd put back thru the primer seater to make sure every one of the primers was set all the way in. I thusly concluded that my gun did not have a problem with high primers. Just to make sure, I resized six cases and inserted them into the gun sans primers and the problem was still there. SO, the gun is in a box and will go back to the good folks in Hartford tomorrow. I'm not really worried at all about this because I'm 100% sure they'll stand behind their product. But, its like Bob Dylan said to some gal, "You just sorta wasted my precious time"!!

jakes10mm · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2005, 08:06:22 AM »

I had the same problem with a SBH-H in 45Colt. My first reloading session was pitifully weak on my part. I did not seat the primers well and came away from the range with the same feeling. Upon closer examination, I could see drag marks on the primers of rounds that never made it under the firing pin. I was ready to throw this revolver at the target.

Next time around, I verified each primer seat and the Ruger has been flawless since! I have a strong feeling that you have the same problem. The rounds would work in my "run-of-the-mill" Ruger Blackhawk, but not the "tighter" Hunter model.

I'd recommend checking the primers again!

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2005, 09:58:15 AM »

Uh, Jakes, methinks you'd best re-read my last post!!

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #16 on:** July 18, 2005, 08:02:00 AM »

The gun is back and appears to be just fine. I put six rounds into it and it cocks just like it 'sposed to. Hopefully it and I will go to the range soon for a thorough workout.

Yukon Gold · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2005, 06:29:15 AM »

Did they mention what was wrong with it?

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2005, 10:50:19 AM »

The paperwork that came back with it said they "retuned" the action. I frankly don't care if they flabbergated the dealwinger, just as long as it works! :-D

targetshootr · « **Reply #19 on:** July 19, 2005, 01:00:52 PM »

I sent my Rodeo back to have the barrel turned because it was shooting way left and the ejector housing was in a bind. When they got it they called and said they were also going to put a smoother ejector rod housing on it and a taller front sight but sent it back without either. It shoots fine now but I had to pay shipping on top of the dealer price.

Yukon Gold · « **Reply #20 on:** September 21, 2005, 07:39:40 AM »

Well... did you ever get it to the range?

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #21 on:** September 21, 2005, 09:26:02 AM »

No, but that's my fault. The last time I went my granddaughter and I took out a new Ruger Bearcat. I left the larger bore stuff home because I was afraid she'd not want to shoot the Bearcat if a larger caliber gun was available. I guess I cudda told her that X number of .22s had to be shot before the .45s but I wuzent think'n. Anyway, we are in the process of packing up to move and HOPEFULLY we'll get to the range in November and then see how it shoots.

Rich Siegel · « **Reply #22 on:** September 21, 2005, 11:24:18 AM »

I had a problem with a USFA Rodeo this spring. Cartridge cases were sticking in the cylinder after firing. Sent the gun back and it took them over two months to get it back to me. Their gunsmith said he couldn't see any tool marks in the chambers but would put another cylinder on the gun. Got it back and it had another problem which a friend fixed and it's now shooting great. It's a 45Colt and with 6.4 grains of Red Dot and a 200 grain bullet, shoots dead center at 25 yards.

Once you get them going, the USFA guns are great.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #23 on:** September 21, 2005, 09:17:39 PM »

THAT'S good news!