Traditions 1851 Navy 44 cal

TGuidry · January 18, 2013, 12:09 AM

Here they are. I've already dissassembled them down to the last screw. One at a time I might add in case I had a brain fart and couldn't put them back together.
The wedge was some what difficult to get out because there wasn't much sticking out of the other side. Also the cylinder of one of the revolvers had some silght resistance when removing it but only towards the end. I thinking a little emry cloth will correct that problem but I am open to suggestions.
I have not fired them yet because I have nothing to fire them with. I did that so I would fire them until I got familiar with them. I am going to Cabelas on Saturday to get the needed supplies.

Smokin'Joe · January 18, 2013, 09:03 AM

Welcome Mr. Guidry. I’m originally from Louisiana but have never heard of Parks, LA. I have family in Lafayette and see on a map that Parks is very near there.
I’m not sure what your concerns are regarding your B/P revolvers. Try to give more detail and you will get friendly advice on this forum. As for the stuck wedge do not tap on it with anything made of steel. A brass punch or even something made from wood will help remove them without causing damage. Best of luck with your new addiction.

brazosdave · January 18, 2013, 12:29 PM

I'm supposing you know this, but put the gun on half cock when you are taking the cylinder off the arbor. When you go to put it back together, put some bore butter on the arbor and give the cylinder a spin. Shouldn't bind. If it's binding when you got it all together, the wedge is probably too tight..

Hellgate · January 19, 2013, 01:37 AM

I use the edge of a house key to drift out the wedges that are flush. The keys are a fairly hard brass or bronze but won't damage the steel barrel.

Doc Hoy · January 19, 2013, 04:20 AM

One possible reason for tight wedges and wedges that don't come very far through the barrel is that the pistols may be relatively un-fiddled with. Not fired much. Not disassembled often.

1851 Colt replica was the first pistol I ever owned. They hold a warm spot in my heart.

10851Man · January 20, 2013, 07:05 PM

I use a punch made from a oak dowel...FWIW

TomADC · January 20, 2013, 07:21 PM

I use the sliding brass bolt from a gate lock, few touches with a filer made it slightly undersized to the wedge, taps the wedge out and doesn't mar anything.

DD4lifeusmc · January 20, 2013, 07:21 PM

Yep on the bore butter or similar.
But first in 1/2 cock and assembled spin a few times check for any minute binding.
Make sure the wedge isn't too tight.
Then remove the barrel again spin for binding. This will leave some minute marks to show where the problem is.
But you said it only did it when almost off.
If that is only place and time, then I wouldn't worry much.
It's possible it just new and not worn in.
I bought a 1847 colt replica a couple months back as a kit.
Mine did not bind at all. But I still used some steel wool on the arbor to check for little gotchas. Also used a very fine honing stone to smooth the hand, bolt, trigger surfaces.
The release is smoother now.
But do have some fun shooting them!

10851Man · January 21, 2013, 03:39 PM

When I was shooting my Remington 1858's in SASS competition, I used a copper anti-seize paste made by Wurth for automotive brake systems on the arbor and nipples. Made swapping cylinders on the fly easy....

Good stuff on the wedge too...

Hawg Haggen · January 21, 2013, 06:34 PM

On a new gun the wedge should be just past flush. It usually only takes a few dis-assemblies to loosen up to where thumb pressure is all that's needed.

paulogburn · January 21, 2013, 07:08 PM

just got mine in the mail not long ago I am a fan of black powder so I could imagine that I am going to love it I already have a traditions black powder 50 cal rifle and now I have the 44 pistol I cant wait to fire it

deerslayer303 · January 21, 2013, 07:40 PM

Welcome Paul

Rigmarol · January 23, 2013, 02:16 PM

Time and use should get the stiffness out of things. In the mean time I use a plastic or wooden mallet and one of these:

Brass Wedge Punch
http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/v..._7218.jpg.html

10851Man · January 23, 2013, 08:40 PM

Nicely done!

Doc Hoy · January 24, 2013, 04:51 AM

Welcome to the forum, Paul.

Noz · January 24, 2013, 12:30 PM

The wedge on a Colt cone is there to hold the barrel on. The barrel should fit whether the wedge is hammered in or thumb pushed in.
It is not to adjust the cylinder gap.
If the cylinder gap changes with pressure on the wedge then the arbor is the wrong length. Read Pettifogger's articles on proper tuning of Colt style cap and ball guns.

TGuidry · January 26, 2013, 09:29 AM

Welcome Paul.

blfuller · January 28, 2013, 04:59 PM

Half of a clothes pin works well for a wedge dislodger

January 18, 2013, 12:29 PM	#3
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Copperas Cove, TX Posts: 257	I'm supposing you know this, but put the gun on half cock when you are taking the cylinder off the arbor. When you go to put it back together, put some bore butter on the arbor and give the cylinder a spin. Shouldn't bind. If it's binding when you got it all together, the wedge is probably too tight.. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry, it's just my game"

January 19, 2013, 01:37 AM	#4
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 414	I use the edge of a house key to drift out the wedges that are flush. The keys are a fairly hard brass or bronze but won't damage the steel barrel. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), DGB#129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

January 19, 2013, 04:20 AM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 3,420	Nice addition, T... One possible reason for tight wedges and wedges that don't come very far through the barrel is that the pistols may be relatively un-fiddled with. Not fired much. Not disassembled often. 1851 Colt replica was the first pistol I ever owned. They hold a warm spot in my heart. __________________ Doc My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

January 20, 2013, 07:21 PM	#7
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Posts: 390	I use the sliding brass bolt from a gate lock, few touches with a filer made it slightly undersized to the wedge, taps the wedge out and doesn't mar anything. __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

January 20, 2013, 07:21 PM	#8
DD4lifeusmc Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 78	wedges. Yep on the bore butter or similar. But first in 1/2 cock and assembled spin a few times check for any minute binding. Make sure the wedge isn't too tight. Then remove the barrel again spin for binding. This will leave some minute marks to show where the problem is. But you said it only did it when almost off. If that is only place and time, then I wouldn't worry much. It's possible it just new and not worn in. I bought a 1847 colt replica a couple months back as a kit. Mine did not bind at all. But I still used some steel wool on the arbor to check for little gotchas. Also used a very fine honing stone to smooth the hand, bolt, trigger surfaces. The release is smoother now. But do have some fun shooting them!

January 18, 2013, 09:03 AM	#2
Smokin'Joe Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Posts: 102	Welcome Mr. Guidry. I’m originally from Louisiana but have never heard of Parks, LA. I have family in Lafayette and see on a map that Parks is very near there. I’m not sure what your concerns are regarding your B/P revolvers. Try to give more detail and you will get friendly advice on this forum. As for the stuck wedge do not tap on it with anything made of steel. A brass punch or even something made from wood will help remove them without causing damage. Best of luck with your new addiction.

January 20, 2013, 07:05 PM	#6
10851Man Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: High Desert Mountains CA. Posts: 410	I use a punch made from a oak dowel...FWIW

January 21, 2013, 03:39 PM	#9
10851Man Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: High Desert Mountains CA. Posts: 410	When I was shooting my Remington 1858's in SASS competition, I used a copper anti-seize paste made by Wurth for automotive brake systems on the arbor and nipples. Made swapping cylinders on the fly easy.... Good stuff on the wedge too...

January 21, 2013, 06:34 PM	#10
Hawg Haggen Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 10,381	On a new gun the wedge should be just past flush. It usually only takes a few dis-assemblies to loosen up to where thumb pressure is all that's needed. __________________ http://blackpowdertimes.com/index.php

January 21, 2013, 07:08 PM	#11
paulogburn Junior Member Join Date: January 21, 2013 Posts: 1	just got mine in the mail not long ago I am a fan of black powder so I could imagine that I am going to love it I already have a traditions black powder 50 cal rifle and now I have the 44 pistol I cant wait to fire it

January 21, 2013, 07:40 PM	#12
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: McMinnville TN Posts: 1,116	Welcome Paul __________________ "You're so drunk you cant hit nothin, In fact you're probably seeing double"...."I have TWO GUNS one for each of ya"

January 23, 2013, 02:16 PM	#13
Rigmarol Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 188	Time and use should get the stiffness out of things. In the mean time I use a plastic or wooden mallet and one of these: Brass Wedge Punch http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/v..._7218.jpg.html

January 23, 2013, 08:40 PM	#14
10851Man Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: High Desert Mountains CA. Posts: 410	Nicely done!

January 24, 2013, 04:51 AM	#15
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 3,420	Yes.... Welcome to the forum, Paul. __________________ Doc My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

January 24, 2013, 12:30 PM	#16
Noz Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 596	The wedge on a Colt cone is there to hold the barrel on. The barrel should fit whether the wedge is hammered in or thumb pushed in. It is not to adjust the cylinder gap. If the cylinder gap changes with pressure on the wedge then the arbor is the wrong length. Read Pettifogger's articles on proper tuning of Colt style cap and ball guns.

January 26, 2013, 09:29 AM	#17
TGuidry Junior Member Join Date: January 8, 2013 Location: Parks, La Posts: 12	Welcome Paul.

January 28, 2013, 04:59 PM	#18
blfuller Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2013 Location: Washington State Posts: 140	Half of a clothes pin works well for a wedge dislodger