1851 action

[cdj1987]

I have recently put a new hammer and a new bolt in my 51 navy. I would like to make sure I have the timing concept correct so here goes. Pull the hammer the bolt shoots down out of the bolt window cylinder turns until the trigger engages in the half cock.Pull the hammer back toward the full cock position and first the trigger locks in full cock and then the bolt jumps up to lock the cylinder in place. Am I correct so far? Now the problem....... Everything would work just like I said up to the half cock after that the bolt was engaging before the trigger locked in the full cock position so I filed the trigger down to accomodate and now everything is working fine except both the trigger and bolt lock into place before I get the hammer all the way back. My cylinder still needs to turn about an 1/8 inch before it is locked in the firing position. What needs to be done? Is my hand to short? Can I do anything to make it longer? I have thought maybe I could straigten it but Im not sure how to do it without breaking the handspring. Any advice guys would be greatly appreciated Thanks alot.

 

[sltm1]

Yes, your hand is too short. The bolt will engage according to when it's let off of the hammer cam, the legs can be bent some but not too much to be gained there. A new hand and spring combo is the way to go. You can pound on the tip of the hand to elongate it some, but then you lose some of the thickness and stand a chance of maring the cylinder ratchet. If you decide to get the new hand, go ahead and elongate the tip of the old hand till you find the right length, this will help you install the new hand properly. Have fun and welcome to the wide wonderful world of kitchen table gunsmithing!!

 

[unknwn]

Lengthening a hand is best done in the middle of it's overall length.
Removal & reinstallation of the spring -or- providing some "fencing" to protect it during the blacksmithing must be done if you want to reduce the possibility of damaging the spring.
I wouldn't be doing any of the above until I had spare(s) on hand, or on thier way, otherwise you take a real solid chance at having to put that gun in storage until suitable spare(s) are located.
Do you know who manufactured the gun? That sort of knowledge will only make sourcing proper fitting parts easier.
A replacement hand will require fitting also.
Please don't sacrifice the original part to trial & error refitting before you have a replacement to transfer the "working end" profile to.