Cylinder pin escapes on 44 Mag SAA

Real Gun · August 9, 2015, 07:07 AM

The cylinder pin is not secure on my Sauer Western Marshal 44 Mag, all the innards strictly SAA in design and interchangeability. Before I spend the gunsmith minimum of 60 bucks, covering up to an hour and parts, I would like some confirmation on whether a stiffer cylinder pin release spring would solve the problem.

rep1954 · August 9, 2015, 11:35 AM

You may be able to purchase a stiffer spring from Wolffe Springs and do it yourself. And if its the base pin itself that turns out to be the problem then get in touch with Belt Mountain and see if they can help you out. These are things you can do yourself that a gunsmith will probably do and charge his time and mark up on.

Bob Wright · August 9, 2015, 04:31 PM

Hmmmmmmmmm. Several things could be your culprit.

First, take out the cylinder latch assembly. There are three components to this, the latch screw, the latch screw nut, and the spring. If the nut shows any peening, or battering, that might be your problem; it should be straight and square. Next examine the base pin itself, the groove where the latch latches should be well formed and lacking any sign of battering. Those parts that do need to be replaced.

And make sure they are screwed down tight.

In case you're not familiar with them, here is where to go for parts:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

Bob Wright

James K · August 10, 2015, 12:02 AM

That old cylinder pin latch just was never intended to handle the recoil of a .44 Magnum. It can be tinkered with, but Belt Mountain (and I think some others) make replacement pins that stay put. The problem is not only that the inertia of the pin itself causes it to move forward under recoil, but that the vibration of the frame actually causes the latch to disengage itself sideways.

Jim

rodfac · August 12, 2015, 04:39 PM

You've done the OP a great service Bob and saved him a few bucks in the process. Well done. Rod

August 9, 2015, 07:07 AM	#1
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	Cylinder pin escapes on 44 Mag SAA The cylinder pin is not secure on my Sauer Western Marshal 44 Mag, all the innards strictly SAA in design and interchangeability. Before I spend the gunsmith minimum of 60 bucks, covering up to an hour and parts, I would like some confirmation on whether a stiffer cylinder pin release spring would solve the problem.

August 9, 2015, 04:31 PM	#3
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	Hmmmmmmmmm. Several things could be your culprit. First, take out the cylinder latch assembly. There are three components to this, the latch screw, the latch screw nut, and the spring. If the nut shows any peening, or battering, that might be your problem; it should be straight and square. Next examine the base pin itself, the groove where the latch latches should be well formed and lacking any sign of battering. Those parts that do need to be replaced. And make sure they are screwed down tight. In case you're not familiar with them, here is where to go for parts: http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

August 12, 2015, 04:39 PM	#5
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,624	You've done the OP a great service Bob and saved him a few bucks in the process. Well done. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

August 9, 2015, 11:35 AM	#2
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 1,187	You may be able to purchase a stiffer spring from Wolffe Springs and do it yourself. And if its the base pin itself that turns out to be the problem then get in touch with Belt Mountain and see if they can help you out. These are things you can do yourself that a gunsmith will probably do and charge his time and mark up on.

August 10, 2015, 12:02 AM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That old cylinder pin latch just was never intended to handle the recoil of a .44 Magnum. It can be tinkered with, but Belt Mountain (and I think some others) make replacement pins that stay put. The problem is not only that the inertia of the pin itself causes it to move forward under recoil, but that the vibration of the frame actually causes the latch to disengage itself sideways. Jim