I have an 1860 Pietta. The wedge is a monster to remove. I tore up a wooden dowel trying, and the last two times I've removed it I used a rubber mallet. When I do get it apart, the cylinder will move up and down the base pin, but it won't come off without some serious force. It gets really stuck when the end of the base pin is even with the front of the cylinder. I can get it off, I just have to smack on it for a bit. It looks like it might be ever so slightly bent. Is there a way to straighten it out? It probably won't take much. I don't want to beat on the base pin and booger it up. Any ideas?
Base pin bent?
- Thread starter chrisTx
- Start date
- Status
44 Dave
Member
I just corrected this problem, but don't think mine was quite as bad as yours.
You need to get the wedge and or arbor slot corrected. check barrel and arbor slot with the wedge removed.
Don't do too much filing on the arbor, the wadge is a lot more easily replaced.
To correct my arbor, that made the cylinder tight on the frame when slid forward I found a piece of pipe to slide over the arbor put the pipe in a vice, just to hold the gun, then found some thing (creative) to pry between the pipe and the frame.
You also need to check arbor length as described in another thread.
Or better yet sell it to me for $50 !!!
You need to get the wedge and or arbor slot corrected. check barrel and arbor slot with the wedge removed.
Don't do too much filing on the arbor, the wadge is a lot more easily replaced.
To correct my arbor, that made the cylinder tight on the frame when slid forward I found a piece of pipe to slide over the arbor put the pipe in a vice, just to hold the gun, then found some thing (creative) to pry between the pipe and the frame.
You also need to check arbor length as described in another thread.
Or better yet sell it to me for $50 !!!
I would clean off the part of the arbor that sticks out when the cylinder is in place (on the arbor against the frame) then paint it with a sharpie so when you remove the cylinder you can see where it is rubbing by where the sharpie ink is worn off the high spots. A little dressing/filing/sanding of these areas may free it up. Sometimes it is just some sharp edges that can be filed off. I've bent stuff before and it is hard to know when enough is enough. Right when you think it is just right, suddenly something "gives" and you've got an "OH SH**!" moment. BTDT. Just my 2 cents. 44 Daves' suggestion is just as valid if not more so than mine. Good luck!
P.S. I use the edge of a house key as a brass drift to smack out the tight wedges after propping the barrel on a 1X2 wood block.
P.S. I use the edge of a house key as a brass drift to smack out the tight wedges after propping the barrel on a 1X2 wood block.
Thanks for the responses.
It seems to have a slight warp near the end, because the cylinder will slide pretty easy all the way to the end of the pin, then it sticks pretty hard. There is a hairline gap to one side, so I think it has a slight bend just at the end. I'm sure it happened when I was trying to get the wedge out. I'm going to pull it apart this evening and stick it in my vise. Maybe I can get it bent back; it shouldn't take much. Then I'm going to as suggested and maybe file up the slot for the wedge to make it easier.
It seems to have a slight warp near the end, because the cylinder will slide pretty easy all the way to the end of the pin, then it sticks pretty hard. There is a hairline gap to one side, so I think it has a slight bend just at the end. I'm sure it happened when I was trying to get the wedge out. I'm going to pull it apart this evening and stick it in my vise. Maybe I can get it bent back; it shouldn't take much. Then I'm going to as suggested and maybe file up the slot for the wedge to make it easier.
- Status
