Pietta 1860 army half cock issue

Bobisnext · January 8, 2012, 08:41 PM

hi:

I have a Pietta 1860 Colt Army that I have had for over a year and I have put over 1000 rounds through it.

Today at the range, I started having issues at half cock. When i went to the half cock position, the cylinder would no longer rotate freely, only about 1/4" and then stop. I took the pistol apart and it appears that the notch that holds the cylinder is now coming up at half cock. If I just pull the hammer away from the cylinder about 1/2", the cylinder rotates freely.

What do you think is wrong? Worn parts? (I assume that I can get spare parts at Cabelas). Are these parts hard to swap out?

thanks in advance

Bob

Fingers McGee · January 8, 2012, 11:47 PM

Sounds like the bolt is overriding the cam on the hammer too soon. Spreading the legs on the bolt will probably solve your problem.

Here's a link to exploded views:
http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.p...,163293.0.html

Doc Hoy · January 9, 2012, 05:59 AM

IMNSHO

Hawg · January 9, 2012, 08:33 AM

+2

Bobisnext · January 9, 2012, 12:28 PM

Fingers:

Thanks for the info and diagram.

When u mention spreading the legs on the bolt, can u be more specific? ( I have not taken my pistol apart yet, and it is hard to see from the diagram what is required)

Thanks for your help!

Also, do you or anyone else have a step by step disassembly procedure?

Hawg · January 9, 2012, 12:47 PM

Photo #21 shows the bolt legs better. This was originally called the cylinder stop and some places still call it that.
http://www.theopenrange.net/articles...a_Part_One.pdf

Disassembly. http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i.../t-137102.html

sltm1 · January 9, 2012, 12:49 PM

1000 rnds through it and it hasn't been fully broken down?? It might just need a good cleaning. Fouling could build up on the frame wall and prevent proper cycling of the bolt.
Dissasembly 101
1. Remove 2 top screws (either side of hammer),and one bottom screw that retain the grip and remove the grip & grip frame piece.
2. Loosen the main spring retaining screw and remove the spring (keep hammer uncocked).
3. Remove 3 screws holding the triggerguard in place and remove same.
4. Remove split leaf spring under the trigger guard.
5. Remove 2 screws holding in the trigger and bolt on the side of the frame, remove those parts.
6. Remove hammer retaining screw, lower hammer into the frame to allow removal of hand and hand spring, then remove the hammer through the top of the frame......easy-peasy!!
Assemble in reverse order.

Fingers McGee · January 9, 2012, 01:33 PM

It could be cause it's fouling causing the problem, not knowing his shooting and cleaning procedures. I've gone over 1000 rounds in my match guns without having his problem though.

January 8, 2012, 08:41 PM	#1
Bobisnext Junior Member Join Date: March 21, 2011 Posts: 5	Pietta 1860 army half cock issue hi: I have a Pietta 1860 Colt Army that I have had for over a year and I have put over 1000 rounds through it. Today at the range, I started having issues at half cock. When i went to the half cock position, the cylinder would no longer rotate freely, only about 1/4" and then stop. I took the pistol apart and it appears that the notch that holds the cylinder is now coming up at half cock. If I just pull the hammer away from the cylinder about 1/2", the cylinder rotates freely. What do you think is wrong? Worn parts? (I assume that I can get spare parts at Cabelas). Are these parts hard to swap out? thanks in advance Bob

January 9, 2012, 05:59 AM	#3
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Fingers + 1 IMNSHO __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

January 9, 2012, 12:28 PM	#5
Bobisnext Junior Member Join Date: March 21, 2011 Posts: 5	Pietta 1980 half cock issue Fingers: Thanks for the info and diagram. When u mention spreading the legs on the bolt, can u be more specific? ( I have not taken my pistol apart yet, and it is hard to see from the diagram what is required) Thanks for your help! Also, do you or anyone else have a step by step disassembly procedure?

January 9, 2012, 01:33 PM	#8
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	It could be cause it's fouling causing the problem, not knowing his shooting and cleaning procedures. I've gone over 1000 rounds in my match guns without having his problem though. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

January 8, 2012, 11:47 PM	#2
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	Sounds like the bolt is overriding the cam on the hammer too soon. Spreading the legs on the bolt will probably solve your problem. Here's a link to exploded views: http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.p...,163293.0.html __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

January 9, 2012, 08:33 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	+2

January 9, 2012, 12:47 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Photo #21 shows the bolt legs better. This was originally called the cylinder stop and some places still call it that. http://www.theopenrange.net/articles...a_Part_One.pdf Disassembly. http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i.../t-137102.html

January 9, 2012, 12:49 PM	#7
sltm1 Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 353	1000 rnds through it and it hasn't been fully broken down?? It might just need a good cleaning. Fouling could build up on the frame wall and prevent proper cycling of the bolt. Dissasembly 101 1. Remove 2 top screws (either side of hammer),and one bottom screw that retain the grip and remove the grip & grip frame piece. 2. Loosen the main spring retaining screw and remove the spring (keep hammer uncocked). 3. Remove 3 screws holding the triggerguard in place and remove same. 4. Remove split leaf spring under the trigger guard. 5. Remove 2 screws holding in the trigger and bolt on the side of the frame, remove those parts. 6. Remove hammer retaining screw, lower hammer into the frame to allow removal of hand and hand spring, then remove the hammer through the top of the frame......easy-peasy!! Assemble in reverse order.