Pietta 1851 Navy reassembly issues

chazchazchaz · July 2, 2016, 06:15 PM

Howdy everyone,

Got a problem I'm trying to work out. I recently purchased a used Pietta 1851 that the cylinder would spin freely on while I'm full cock.

I dissembled and discovered a weak bolt/trigger spring. It broke upon removal.

Bought a replacement spring and now for the life of me I cannot reassembly the gun and get it to function correctly. The issue is now with the trigger. I follow all the instructions in the multitude of video on YouTube but still am having problems.

The problem is basically that the trigger locks up and doesn't really have much "play" or "give." It doesn't want to engage and cock when the hammer is pulled back. The issue im having seems to stem from the fact there is very little space in front/around the trigger once the bolt and its screw are installed prior.

Only thing I've replaced is the bolt/trigger spring.

Anyone have any solutions or had a similar problem?

Thanks,
Chaz

Poodleshooter · July 2, 2016, 06:34 PM

With the spring removed, and putting forward pressure on the trigger, can you get the hammer to cock and the bolt to move upwards to lock the cylinder? Do this with the cylinder removed.

Also, post a picture of the spring as you have it installed....

Model12Win · July 2, 2016, 06:57 PM

Sounds like you might have the trigger spring in wrong. Show us a picture of the guts of your gun and we will be able to help you rightly I think.

chazchazchaz · July 2, 2016, 07:00 PM

http://imgur.com/KdSVpXO
http://imgur.com/Z6Nr01L
http://imgur.com/JPFyHJf
http://imgur.com/kAOwBif
http://imgur.com/G9QxQn7

I think those photo links should work. Tried to get the detail. Edit* the last image has the most detail of spring

And yes, the bolt will actuate up with the hammer and the trigger will click into its two places on the hammer like you asked. I had to hold it upside down to do this and make the bolt go up without spring.

denster · July 2, 2016, 07:01 PM

Model12Win is probably correct. The long leg of the T/B spring goes on the trigger shelf and the short leg goes on the bolt. It is possible to get that long leg in front of the trigger rather than on the shelf it which case it will do what you are experiencing.
You posted pics same time I was posting the first draft of this. You have the spring on the shelf but it looks like it may be a bit too long. Without cocking the hammer are you able to pull the trigger and feel spring tension?

chazchazchaz · July 2, 2016, 07:24 PM

No spring tension at all from the trigger it seems. The trigger has little to no play. I did not cock the hammer.

Here's a video that may help. Slightly reassembled. Trigger doesn't engage.
https://youtu.be/Homf3QPpxlM

I think you may be right about the spring being too long. I didn't think of this.

Model12Win · July 2, 2016, 07:25 PM

It looks like it's in right.

Are you sure the replacement you bought was for a Pietta '51 Navy?

Looks like the spring might be too long. I wish I could have it in hand to be able to tell...

denster · July 2, 2016, 07:33 PM

With no spring tension on the trigger the spring is too long you just need to trim it back a bit. Not an unusual situation. Good pictures by the way that helped.

chazchazchaz · July 2, 2016, 07:40 PM

I'm sure the one I ordered was correct. But I also ordered a new bolt and hammer hand, which both seemed to be slightly different than the stock parts. It's so dang tight in there the stuff has to be correct. I may have to do some drimilling.

New hand and bolt came from taylors firearms.
New bolt spring came from Dixie gun works

chazchazchaz · July 2, 2016, 07:41 PM

Thanks a ton guys. Very quick and helpful.

I'll try and cut it down and see what happens

44 Dave · July 2, 2016, 08:58 PM

Yes the spring is too long, "parts is parts" some fitting often required.

Hawg · July 2, 2016, 09:15 PM

The hand will most likely be too long too. I haven't seen one yet that didn't need fitting.

July 2, 2016, 06:15 PM	#1
chazchazchaz Junior Member Join Date: July 2, 2016 Posts: 5	Pietta 1851 Navy reassembly issues Howdy everyone, Got a problem I'm trying to work out. I recently purchased a used Pietta 1851 that the cylinder would spin freely on while I'm full cock. I dissembled and discovered a weak bolt/trigger spring. It broke upon removal. Bought a replacement spring and now for the life of me I cannot reassembly the gun and get it to function correctly. The issue is now with the trigger. I follow all the instructions in the multitude of video on YouTube but still am having problems. The problem is basically that the trigger locks up and doesn't really have much "play" or "give." It doesn't want to engage and cock when the hammer is pulled back. The issue im having seems to stem from the fact there is very little space in front/around the trigger once the bolt and its screw are installed prior. Only thing I've replaced is the bolt/trigger spring. Anyone have any solutions or had a similar problem? Thanks, Chaz

July 2, 2016, 07:01 PM	#5
denster Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 581	Model12Win is probably correct. The long leg of the T/B spring goes on the trigger shelf and the short leg goes on the bolt. It is possible to get that long leg in front of the trigger rather than on the shelf it which case it will do what you are experiencing. You posted pics same time I was posting the first draft of this. You have the spring on the shelf but it looks like it may be a bit too long. Without cocking the hammer are you able to pull the trigger and feel spring tension? Last edited by denster; July 2, 2016 at 07:06 PM.

July 2, 2016, 06:34 PM	#2
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	With the spring removed, and putting forward pressure on the trigger, can you get the hammer to cock and the bolt to move upwards to lock the cylinder? Do this with the cylinder removed. Also, post a picture of the spring as you have it installed....

July 2, 2016, 06:57 PM	#3
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Sounds like you might have the trigger spring in wrong. Show us a picture of the guts of your gun and we will be able to help you rightly I think.

July 2, 2016, 07:00 PM	#4
chazchazchaz Junior Member Join Date: July 2, 2016 Posts: 5	http://imgur.com/KdSVpXO http://imgur.com/Z6Nr01L http://imgur.com/JPFyHJf http://imgur.com/kAOwBif http://imgur.com/G9QxQn7 I think those photo links should work. Tried to get the detail. Edit* the last image has the most detail of spring And yes, the bolt will actuate up with the hammer and the trigger will click into its two places on the hammer like you asked. I had to hold it upside down to do this and make the bolt go up without spring.

July 2, 2016, 07:24 PM	#6
chazchazchaz Junior Member Join Date: July 2, 2016 Posts: 5	No spring tension at all from the trigger it seems. The trigger has little to no play. I did not cock the hammer. Here's a video that may help. Slightly reassembled. Trigger doesn't engage. https://youtu.be/Homf3QPpxlM I think you may be right about the spring being too long. I didn't think of this.

July 2, 2016, 07:25 PM	#7
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	It looks like it's in right. Are you sure the replacement you bought was for a Pietta '51 Navy? Looks like the spring might be too long. I wish I could have it in hand to be able to tell...

July 2, 2016, 07:33 PM	#8
denster Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 581	With no spring tension on the trigger the spring is too long you just need to trim it back a bit. Not an unusual situation. Good pictures by the way that helped.

July 2, 2016, 07:40 PM	#9
chazchazchaz Junior Member Join Date: July 2, 2016 Posts: 5	I'm sure the one I ordered was correct. But I also ordered a new bolt and hammer hand, which both seemed to be slightly different than the stock parts. It's so dang tight in there the stuff has to be correct. I may have to do some drimilling. New hand and bolt came from taylors firearms. New bolt spring came from Dixie gun works

July 2, 2016, 07:41 PM	#10
chazchazchaz Junior Member Join Date: July 2, 2016 Posts: 5	Thanks a ton guys. Very quick and helpful. I'll try and cut it down and see what happens

July 2, 2016, 08:58 PM	#11
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	Yes the spring is too long, "parts is parts" some fitting often required.

July 2, 2016, 09:15 PM	#12
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	The hand will most likely be too long too. I haven't seen one yet that didn't need fitting.