1860 Pietta shows up with broken trigger/bolt spring

CaptainCrossman · May 11, 2009, 06:10 AM

I scored a nice 1860 Army Pietta w/steel frame for $130 on the net, it shows up in excellent near mint condition- the seller says it had a "trigger job" hair trigger and I'd have to get used to it. Well after cocking it a few times, it would not stay cocked. Removed the trigger guard, the trigger/bolt flat spring was broken, and a piece of aluminum stuck over it.

Popped in a spare ASM spring I had from 15 years ago, now it works like a champ- took the gun to the range, ran 48 shots through it, full cylinders of Pioneer substitute- it runs good.

it didn't cap jam on nearly every shot like my 1851 ASP Navy.

I have heard, and am beginning to believe, the majority of guns with frequent cap jams, just need a new mainspring with heavy tension to eliminate hammer blowback. This Pietta ran almost as good as my Remington- better than expected.

williamfeldmann · May 11, 2009, 08:23 AM

Sounds like the person who sold it knew it was broken if there was a piece of aluminum in there.

Anyway, I am glad you had a spare laying around.

simonkenton · May 11, 2009, 11:02 AM

the seller says it had a "trigger job" hair trigger and I'd have to get used to it

That is a fine line of bull****.
He knew that spring was broken.
Ah well, all's well that ends well.
Those Italians are not too good at making springs.
I wonder, in 1860, if Colt made better springs than the Italians do today.

CaptainCrossman · May 11, 2009, 04:40 PM

(chuckle..) actually yes, it was kind of funny- that was one helluva hair trigger, pull the hammer back, it just snapped right back down without pulling the trigger

it had a wired trigger and it didn't know it

guess I could have just fanned it...

tdmoparguy · May 11, 2009, 05:12 PM

Maybe it was modified like that to be fanned.

Where do you get good stiff springs? All mine feel wimpy.

May 11, 2009, 06:10 AM	#1
CaptainCrossman Junior member Join Date: April 2, 2009 Posts: 381	1860 Pietta shows up with broken trigger/bolt spring I scored a nice 1860 Army Pietta w/steel frame for $130 on the net, it shows up in excellent near mint condition- the seller says it had a "trigger job" hair trigger and I'd have to get used to it. Well after cocking it a few times, it would not stay cocked. Removed the trigger guard, the trigger/bolt flat spring was broken, and a piece of aluminum stuck over it. Popped in a spare ASM spring I had from 15 years ago, now it works like a champ- took the gun to the range, ran 48 shots through it, full cylinders of Pioneer substitute- it runs good. it didn't cap jam on nearly every shot like my 1851 ASP Navy. I have heard, and am beginning to believe, the majority of guns with frequent cap jams, just need a new mainspring with heavy tension to eliminate hammer blowback. This Pietta ran almost as good as my Remington- better than expected.

May 11, 2009, 08:23 AM	#2
williamfeldmann Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Posts: 60	Sounds like the person who sold it knew it was broken if there was a piece of aluminum in there. Anyway, I am glad you had a spare laying around.

May 11, 2009, 11:02 AM	#3
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	the seller says it had a "trigger job" hair trigger and I'd have to get used to it That is a fine line of bull****. He knew that spring was broken. Ah well, all's well that ends well. Those Italians are not too good at making springs. I wonder, in 1860, if Colt made better springs than the Italians do today.

May 11, 2009, 04:40 PM	#4
CaptainCrossman Junior member Join Date: April 2, 2009 Posts: 381	(chuckle..) actually yes, it was kind of funny- that was one helluva hair trigger, pull the hammer back, it just snapped right back down without pulling the trigger it had a wired trigger and it didn't know it guess I could have just fanned it...

May 11, 2009, 05:12 PM	#5
tdmoparguy Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Location: Okmulgee,OK Posts: 70	Maybe it was modified like that to be fanned. Where do you get good stiff springs? All mine feel wimpy.