LeMat Barrel Latch Stuck!

Model12Win · August 5, 2017, 11:44 AM

Guys the barrel latch on my LeMat revolver appears to be totally seized up. Two days of soaking with liquid wrench, using a heat gun till it was quite hot then letting it cool, using a steel bar to try and pull down the latch with both hands, nothing is working!

This is what it looks like:

It is supposed to swing down out of the frame so the barrels can be removed but mine will not move. What can I do about this? Will I need to take it to a gunsmith? Anyone know of any GOOD gunsmiths in the East Kansas area? Anyone I can send it off to?

Thanks so much!

tobnpr · August 5, 2017, 04:53 PM

What an awesome (and rare) piece!
I know very little about them...Thought I'd seen one online where the latch was pressed upwards instead of swinging down.

Have you disassembled successfully before this way and it's suddenly frozen? Have you looked online for a parts/service/disassembly manual?

Model12Win · August 5, 2017, 05:12 PM

No I bought it and it was like this out of the box. I think someone sold me a bum gun.

mehavey · August 5, 2017, 07:01 PM

if i look at the various videos, it appears that the latch pivots UP (not down).
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/jam...ign-evolution/

Was there a design change?

FrankenMauser · August 5, 2017, 09:53 PM

That looks like a Pietta.
Unless there was a change, the latch should pull down (exactly as shown in the annotation).

drobs · August 6, 2017, 01:22 AM

Can you knock that pin out above the pivot point arrow in your picture?

**4V50 Gary** · August 6, 2017, 08:57 AM

I'd put the gun in a vise (padded cork jaws) and then put a brass punch to it and knock the brass punch.

tobnpr · August 19, 2017, 08:51 PM

Curious if this got resolved?

August 5, 2017, 11:44 AM	#1
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	LeMat Barrel Latch Stuck! Guys the barrel latch on my LeMat revolver appears to be totally seized up. Two days of soaking with liquid wrench, using a heat gun till it was quite hot then letting it cool, using a steel bar to try and pull down the latch with both hands, nothing is working! This is what it looks like: It is supposed to swing down out of the frame so the barrels can be removed but mine will not move. What can I do about this? Will I need to take it to a gunsmith? Anyone know of any GOOD gunsmiths in the East Kansas area? Anyone I can send it off to? Thanks so much!

August 5, 2017, 04:53 PM	#2
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	What an awesome (and rare) piece! I know very little about them...Thought I'd seen one online where the latch was pressed upwards instead of swinging down. Have you disassembled successfully before this way and it's suddenly frozen? Have you looked online for a parts/service/disassembly manual? __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

August 5, 2017, 09:53 PM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	That looks like a Pietta. Unless there was a change, the latch should pull down (exactly as shown in the annotation). __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

August 6, 2017, 01:22 AM	#6
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Can you knock that pin out above the pivot point arrow in your picture? __________________ NRA Life Member

August 6, 2017, 08:57 AM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	I'd put the gun in a vise (padded cork jaws) and then put a brass punch to it and knock the brass punch. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 5, 2017, 05:12 PM	#3
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	No I bought it and it was like this out of the box. I think someone sold me a bum gun.

August 5, 2017, 07:01 PM	#4
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,885	if i look at the various videos, it appears that the latch pivots UP (not down). https://www.forgottenweapons.com/jam...ign-evolution/ Was there a design change?

August 19, 2017, 08:51 PM	#8
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Curious if this got resolved? __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com