1858 Conversion fix

[Blackpowder Chris]

Hello folks,
First time posting here, but having been following HighRoad for awhile now. I was wondering if my fellow BP enthusiasts could help me with my 1858 Remingtons. Okay I'll get straight to the point. I have 3 Pietta (two snubs and one full size) 1858 Remingtons and a R&D conversion for it. It fits into all of them just fine and the timing is correct on lock back but on 2 of them the timing is off when I the hammer is coming down on the chamber. The other Pietta has no issues whatsoever, but the other two do.

What happens is I cock back the hammer; no problems. But if I slowly lower the hammer the cylinder back spins (counter-clockwise). I say when I slowly lower the hammer because when the hammer is released suddenly (like when actually firing it) the cylinder doesn't move and the hammer lands where it is supposed to. I tested it by inserting a peice of cloth between hammer and the frame so not to damage the cylinder and dry fired it a few times. Once again worked just fine and didn't "back-pedal" the cylinder. This same thing happens on two of my Piettas and on the other works flawlessly. My assumption is that the cylinder indexer on 2 of the Piettas must be too long, and glances one of the cutouts and rotates it back. :banghead:

So I guess I have 2 questions. Firstly is there a way to adjust the cylinder indexer without a gunsmith? I thought about filing down the indexer but was afraid I might get a functional gun that would not longer work with BP cylinders. Second question is it safe to fire, seeing as how when you pull the trigger and the hammer comes down quickly the cylinder stays in place? I would really like my conversion cylinder to be compatible with all of my Remingtons. I know that Taylor's & Co. will offer to do it for free not including shipping, but is there a way to fix it on my own?

One person said to keep dry firing it with something soft stuffed between the firing pin and the hammer like I was doing to test it, and that eventually it will wear the indexer down to the point it will not do it anymore.

Thanks guys, look forward to reading your comments. Sorry for such a long description

 

[junkman_01]

Sounds like the bolts on the two of them that don't index properly are too fat to fit into the bolt slots on the cylinder. You can easily fix that with a little judicious filing of the bolt stop.

 

[scrat]

Agree measure out the bolt holes on the cylinders and you will see some differences

 

[Blackpowder Chris]

I'll get my file out and do some work on them. Makes more sense that the bolt stop is too fat, rather then too long which is what I initially thought. Until the problem is resolved, would you say it would be unsafe to fire, or is it safe but just annoying? Cylinder doesn't twist at all when the hammer come down quickly, so the bolt stop is likely just grazing it, and a little filing should work. I'll tell you any results when I have them. No one else has had similar issues with their conversions?

 

[junkman_01]

It's unsafe. Fix it before you shoot it.

 

[Blackpowder Chris]

I pretty much figured that, but wanted to ask anyway . Good news is I've been filing down of the bolt stop (or indexer) if you prefer and it seems to be getting there, noticeably less backpedaling when easing the hammer down. Wish me luck.