The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The North Corral > Black Powder and Cowboy Action Shooting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old December 27, 2016, 09:39 PM   #76
AKexpat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 5, 2014
Location: SW WA State
Posts: 490
From .45 Dragoon:

Quote:
Well, as silly as this sounds, try whacking it in a little deeper. The wedges usually aren't very hard and it may size it down ever so slightly. With something of the wedge sticking out on the right side of the barrel, you'll have "wedge" to hit instead of the spring.
You sound like an experienced plumber! Yes! I learned that years ago in the trade when disassembling old pipe thread parts.

Guido the Gorilla does not worry about you. All 3 of my Pietta 1851 Navy style pistols were like that. Do not remove the wedge spring retaining screw. It has nothing to do with your problem. If the wedge spring does not protrude from the right side of the barrel lug, the wedge is too wide for the arbor slot. Fitting will be needed on the forward (muzzle) end of the wedge.

Profusely oil the wedge and smack it very hard with a small plastic mallet. It WILL move and come out. When it comes out, you should check the fit (by hand) into the arbor slot. A Pietta is almost always good to go insofar as the arbor length into barrel lug recess, but check it.

Good luck!

Jim
__________________
To be governed – is to be watched, inspected, directed, indoctrinated, numbered, estimated, regulated, commanded, controlled, law-driven, preached at, spied upon, censured, checked, valued, enrolled – by creatures who have neither the right, nor the wisdom, nor the virtue to do so. - Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

Last edited by AKexpat; December 27, 2016 at 09:46 PM.
AKexpat is offline  
Old December 27, 2016, 10:15 PM   #77
BlackPowderBen
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 2, 2015
Posts: 380
Like Jim says, give it a good oil soaking before you try to remove the wedge again, you may find it'll make the job easier. If you don't have a good penetrating oil like PB blaster or Kroil, you can use WD-40, it's not as good but should be better than nothing.
__________________
"If you have to shoot, shoot! Dont talk"
BlackPowderBen is offline  
Old December 28, 2016, 02:06 AM   #78
JACKlangrishe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2016
Posts: 114
Just went at it again after a soak in oil.. still not budging.
Hopefully that brass drift punch from track will get to me soon, although it still hasn't shipped yet.

Sounds silly, but all this hammering on the gun is kind of bumming me out.. especially when I propped it on the metal handle of a hammer (covered in cloth) and pounded it with the stainless nail punch set. I know its completely irrational, but I'm getting this nagging feeling like I want to check to see if the barrel is 100% straight when I finally get it apart. I know to look for perfectly concentric circles, and even considered getting a .454 pin gauge.

Any anecdotes on how much force it takes to induce an imperceptible bend in a barrel? I know the real answer I'm going to get is "just shoot it and if it's accurate stop worrying", but that hasn't cheered me up yet for some reason. Maybe cause it's always been doctrine to me to never to take a hammer or a dremel to a firearm.
JACKlangrishe is offline  
Old December 28, 2016, 07:37 AM   #79
45 Dragoon
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 14, 2013
Posts: 656
Ha !! That's just for the uninitiated!! I do it every day!!! Lol!!

One wouldn't normally take a hammer to a revolver unless it has a wedge! Wouldn't worry about the straight barrel. It's straight. No need to be concerned about getting it apart the first time. It won't be that hard after that. The wedge spring should have enough "meat" on the end for you to grind it flush with the end of the wedge. Then you can hammer the wedge without worrying about the spring being damaged.

BTW, are you doing all this on the kitchen table? Or anything other than a solid base? Like the floor, a concrete patio, sidewalk, fireplace, etc. A table has too much "give". I've never had this problem. After I do my " fitting " of the arbor, it may take a few "take downs" before the wedge scoots out with a hammer smack. Sometimes I'll put a punch mark on the end of the wedge for the customer to use a punch if needed the first few times.


Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram @ goonsgunworks

Last edited by 45 Dragoon; December 28, 2016 at 07:47 AM.
45 Dragoon is offline  
Old December 28, 2016, 08:38 AM   #80
BlackPowderBen
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 2, 2015
Posts: 380
Maybe try supporting the gun on two boards that has a cloth over it with a gap around a wedge instead of a hammer handle, and leave room for the wedge to come out. Might help, and give it a longer soaking in oil, what kind were you using?
__________________
"If you have to shoot, shoot! Dont talk"
BlackPowderBen is offline  
Old December 28, 2016, 03:54 PM   #81
foolzrushn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 29, 2015
Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail
Posts: 396
I have found square chunks of 2x4 to be very handy when drilling or blocking things up. Wallyworld has some 1/8" thick foam drawer liner that can be glued to the face of the 2x4 pieces to prevent scratching and slipping on a surface.

Edit: I also was able to find a silicone 3/16" thick pad similar to a placemat, that is great for a work surface on a table. Keeps the wife from hollering when you decide to take down a gun on the kitchen table. Works lots better than a cloth.
__________________
If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate !

certified 'soap welder'

Last edited by foolzrushn; December 28, 2016 at 04:02 PM.
foolzrushn is offline  
Old December 29, 2016, 01:37 PM   #82
JACKlangrishe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2016
Posts: 114
Still waiting for the track punch..

I know they all arrive very tight, but do all new Pietta's come with the wedge flush to the frame and not sticking out the right side?

Anyone purchase a Pietta recently that has a more normal fitting for the wedge where it actually goes all the way through and is able to be tapped from the right side?

Last edited by JACKlangrishe; December 29, 2016 at 02:15 PM.
JACKlangrishe is offline  
Old December 29, 2016, 04:13 PM   #83
AKexpat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 5, 2014
Location: SW WA State
Posts: 490
My 1851 Navy .36 [CM] (2014) wedge did not protrude at all from the right side of the barrel lug until I fitted the wedge better. I originally had to use a brass drift/punch to move out the wedge.

My G&G .36 [CN] (2015) and my 1851 Navy .36 [CP] (2016) wedges both protrude from the right side. Coincidently, 2015 is the year that Pietta changed the 1851 Navy grip profile.

Maybe their machining practices have changed?

I dunno.

Jim
__________________
To be governed – is to be watched, inspected, directed, indoctrinated, numbered, estimated, regulated, commanded, controlled, law-driven, preached at, spied upon, censured, checked, valued, enrolled – by creatures who have neither the right, nor the wisdom, nor the virtue to do so. - Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
AKexpat is offline  
Old December 29, 2016, 04:46 PM   #84
Hawg
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 8, 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 16,177
I'ved never had one that didn't protrude. My two newest Pietta's are 2011 and 2015 and both were the same when they were new.

My 2015 G&G so new it still has packing grease on it. You can't really tell the depth but you can see the spring isn't compresed.



My 2011 navy. It was new in the pic but the packing grease had been removed. The white specks are paper towel lint.



I never had to fit a wedge. Once you remove them a few times they fit themselves.
Hawg is offline  
Old December 29, 2016, 04:54 PM   #85
Hoppy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 20, 2000
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 287
Mine was through just enough to allow the spring to begin to start up the side of the barrel. Not far enough to allow the spring to completely click up in place.
Hoppy is offline  
Old December 30, 2016, 09:14 PM   #86
JACKlangrishe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2016
Posts: 114
it's out! it's out! it's out!!!!!!!!!!!!



As soon as the mailman showed up I tore the package open and beheld my brass punch from Track. PIETTA should ship every wedged gun with this punch

In the end.. all it took was a few sharp taps with the claw hammer on the punch that I slightly tapered with a file to dodge the spring clip. Not even a whack.

THIS... is exactly what I did---
(well, everything except play the Gypsy Kings' cover of Hotel California, although the dude does abide.)

The "Official" Instructions from Pietta, complete with hammering on the gun. hmmm.. maybe Mike's on to something after all : http://www.pietta.us/pdf/How_to_remove_the_wedge.pdf
The video linked in the document, including aforementioned soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V2tAF8V5D4



I can't thank you guys enough for giving me a place to vent about this wedge. Hawg.. Foolz.. Ben.. drobs.. Beagle.. AK... Hoppy... and Everyone who helped me in this thread (too many to mention) .. oh, and of course, the man himself, Mr. 45 Dragoon. I plan on learning as much as I can on this gun, then sending it in to Dr. Goon-zales for the final treatment. I'm sure I'll be starting on the next one by then.

Also, thanks for the tip to do it on the floor, Mike.. I felt a huge difference and didnt need to hit it so hard to transfer the energy.

Can't wait to clean it down, lube it up, and give it my first attempt at an amateur hour "slick up".. think its time to crack a well deserved PBR first.




Speaking of Amateur Hour... after the wedge popped loose, I wiggled it as far as it would go, and it didn't pop out even without the retention screw. Then I put it in half cock, used the loading lever to remove the barrel assembly without twisting, slid the cylinder off, then brought it to full cock, and then eased the hammer down with nothing on the frame. The bolt clicks were much louder without the cylinder and barrel on, but I'm pretty sure this is proper to do, correct?

I know with my 1911 you should never drop the hammer when it's stripped, but I've seen lots of C&B videos of people working the action with nothing on the frame. (edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=057mS44KLCA&t=13m57s)

Last edited by JACKlangrishe; December 30, 2016 at 10:36 PM.
JACKlangrishe is offline  
Old December 30, 2016, 09:41 PM   #87
Hoppy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 20, 2000
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 287
Excellent! Good tools always make a difference.
Please keep posting pictures of all the things you do, it's great to follow along.
Hoppy is offline  
Old December 30, 2016, 09:48 PM   #88
JACKlangrishe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2016
Posts: 114
Will do Hoppy!
Thanks again for the encouragement during that final stretch! I needed it!
JACKlangrishe is offline  
Old December 30, 2016, 10:22 PM   #89
BlackPowderBen
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 2, 2015
Posts: 380
Awesome! Good for you!
__________________
"If you have to shoot, shoot! Dont talk"
BlackPowderBen is offline  
Old December 30, 2016, 10:28 PM   #90
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
Congrats!!!! Now to find that one screw that they also weld in there.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old December 31, 2016, 03:43 AM   #91
drobs
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 17, 2015
Location: South Central MO / Africa
Posts: 1,111
SUCCESS!
__________________
NRA Life Member
drobs is offline  
Old December 31, 2016, 10:21 AM   #92
45 Dragoon
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 14, 2013
Posts: 656
Great Jack!! Glad to help and it's a good crowd to throw questions at!!

You'll have fun with that open top and learn lots! And, enjoy that PBR !!!


Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram @ goonsgunworks
45 Dragoon is offline  
Old December 31, 2016, 04:22 PM   #93
JACKlangrishe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2016
Posts: 114
Thanks, Mike!!
JACKlangrishe is offline  
Old January 5, 2017, 01:36 AM   #94
JACKlangrishe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2016
Posts: 114
Been tied up at work the last few days and haven't had the chance yet to start fitting / tuning it yet. I plan on picking up those lower grit sandpaper sheets Mike mentioned so I'll have a number of options to wrap around the diamond files.

One thing I noticed when closely examining the cylinder while it's off the frame is a tiny spot with no blueing-



That's just a cosmetic blemish, correct?
I don't mind it, and I plan on wearing off most of the finish on this gun once I get my leather rig.

Just wanted to check how common it is for a new gun to have a touch of missing finish.

Truth is, I didn't even notice it until the gun was stripped. Maybe it was hidden by the forcing cone? Maybe my initial hammer swings weren't 100% accurate and I nicked it with the 'cheek' of the rubber/plastic combo hammer with metal top piece?

I assume it would have to be obvious damage to be a real issue, right? like a visible crack?
JACKlangrishe is offline  
Old January 5, 2017, 05:30 AM   #95
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
It's nothing but a bare spot. 'Just a byproduct of mass production.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old January 5, 2017, 08:36 AM   #96
44 Dave
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 24, 2013
Posts: 583
The spot could the beginning of something like this. This showed as the blue wore off the high spot.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSCN5622 (Small).JPG (39.4 KB, 49 views)
44 Dave is offline  
Old January 5, 2017, 10:49 AM   #97
foolzrushn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 29, 2015
Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail
Posts: 396
Are you speaking of the spot at 11 or the line at 2?
__________________
If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate !

certified 'soap welder'
foolzrushn is offline  
Old January 5, 2017, 12:17 PM   #98
JACKlangrishe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2016
Posts: 114
I figured it was nothing.. thanks for the reassurance!! You guys are the best!

On Dave's photo.. I think the mark he's referring to is at 11 o'clock. The line at 2 o'clock almost looks like a reflection to me.

Cant wait to wear the rest of the finish off!
The 1911 can be my safe queen. This gun's my whore!
JACKlangrishe is offline  
Old January 26, 2017, 04:09 AM   #99
JACKlangrishe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2016
Posts: 114
Well I finally got enough time off work to learn how to detail strip and start slicking this revolver up.

Got it almost completely stripped.. here's the bolt:



One problem I'm having, the hand seems to be caught and it's not letting the hammer slide out:



Some of the videos I see show people pulling it out with a bit of a yank:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5ZPCAlhxE&t=3m22s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VqpeRre7IY&t=3m29s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6HhCsTRfhY&t=16m29s

I was hoping it would just fall out like Mike's:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=057mS44KLCA&t=5m55s

I don't want to force it out until I check with you guys first, so I've left it loose in the frame and set it aside and will wait for advice. Should I just yank it out to make the hand's spring compress itself and let out?

Also, I'm doing a bit of fiddling with this hammer trying to get the orientation just right to pull it out.. is there any chance of damaging or rounding off the notches that engage the trigger? It's contacting the frame a lot as I wiggle it and pull it all the way back, past where the grips would be, to try and slide it out.

Last edited by JACKlangrishe; January 26, 2017 at 04:21 AM.
JACKlangrishe is offline  
Old January 26, 2017, 08:44 AM   #100
44 Dave
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 24, 2013
Posts: 583
Hard for me to see in this picture, but is there a flat area on the arbor? I have a 2014 build Uberti London, (that I love) which had not been flattened. I don't know how I could have flattened it with out using a small diamond tipped tool in a Dremel.
44 Dave is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:59 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.10477 seconds with 9 queries