Mictlanero
Member
Greetings! I am new to this forum and black powder revolvers. This looks to be a very informative page and I am excited to learn from everyone. I just received my 1861 Navy revolver by Pietta (2012 - mfg. date code “CI”). It looks very nice and I am excited to get to work cleaning it – once I remove the wedge.
I have looked at some posts and pdfs about tuning Piettas, and about the basics of black powder pistol shooting. I am going to order some basic stuff and wanted to ask if this is all I need and some recommended brands of stuff.
Maintenance and cleaning stuff I need:
1) Hollow ground screwdriver set – which ones do I need and which are good ones to get?
2) Deburrer
3) Brass drift punch for wedge key (http://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories/partdetail.aspx/117/1/TOOL-KEY-B)
4) Dial caliper (i think my friend has one I can use)
5) Nipple wrench – (what is a good one and from what seller?)
6) Fine diamond needle files – and honing stone - (what sizes and shapes and from what seller?)
7) Grease (“Bore Butter” or Crisco?)
8) Nipple grease – (Is this different from other greases? If so what brand is good and what seller?)
Shooting stuff I need (36 cal):
1) .375” lead balls (Hornady?)
2) Black powder – what type? I saw some chart that I don’t much understand
3) #10 Remington caps
4) Powder flask – (what kind should I get to load the correct size loads of bp?)
5) Nipple capper (which one? And from where?)
Am I forgetting anything? Is anything on this list unnecessary?
REMOVING WEDGE:
So on Friday I am going to make a first attempt at removing the wedge – looks to be jammed up against the side of the wedge slot closest to the cylinder and the spring protrudes through and catches on the top-most part of the wedge slot. So my plan is to use an oak wedge and a rubber mallet…. Then if that doesn’t work move on to the brass drift and a heavy hammer (once I order and receive the brass drift). Any suggestions?
CYLINDER NOTCH WEAR:
From cycling the cylinder a few times on half cock position I am noticing some very slight peening of the right side of the cylinder notch in the round-ground channel – is this normal given the softness of the metal on these? I expect that some wear of the cylinder notch is normal? Or it should look perfect despite cycling – I have not measured the fit between the bolt and cylinder notch yet since I have not removed the wedge yet. Can anyone give a link to a pic of normal wear on a black powder cylinder?
Thanks for your help!
I have looked at some posts and pdfs about tuning Piettas, and about the basics of black powder pistol shooting. I am going to order some basic stuff and wanted to ask if this is all I need and some recommended brands of stuff.
Maintenance and cleaning stuff I need:
1) Hollow ground screwdriver set – which ones do I need and which are good ones to get?
2) Deburrer
3) Brass drift punch for wedge key (http://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories/partdetail.aspx/117/1/TOOL-KEY-B)
4) Dial caliper (i think my friend has one I can use)
5) Nipple wrench – (what is a good one and from what seller?)
6) Fine diamond needle files – and honing stone - (what sizes and shapes and from what seller?)
7) Grease (“Bore Butter” or Crisco?)
8) Nipple grease – (Is this different from other greases? If so what brand is good and what seller?)
Shooting stuff I need (36 cal):
1) .375” lead balls (Hornady?)
2) Black powder – what type? I saw some chart that I don’t much understand
3) #10 Remington caps
4) Powder flask – (what kind should I get to load the correct size loads of bp?)
5) Nipple capper (which one? And from where?)
Am I forgetting anything? Is anything on this list unnecessary?
REMOVING WEDGE:
So on Friday I am going to make a first attempt at removing the wedge – looks to be jammed up against the side of the wedge slot closest to the cylinder and the spring protrudes through and catches on the top-most part of the wedge slot. So my plan is to use an oak wedge and a rubber mallet…. Then if that doesn’t work move on to the brass drift and a heavy hammer (once I order and receive the brass drift). Any suggestions?
CYLINDER NOTCH WEAR:
From cycling the cylinder a few times on half cock position I am noticing some very slight peening of the right side of the cylinder notch in the round-ground channel – is this normal given the softness of the metal on these? I expect that some wear of the cylinder notch is normal? Or it should look perfect despite cycling – I have not measured the fit between the bolt and cylinder notch yet since I have not removed the wedge yet. Can anyone give a link to a pic of normal wear on a black powder cylinder?
Thanks for your help!
Last edited: