Wedge Retainer for Open Top Revolvers

Smokin'Joe · November 9, 2016, 09:51 PM

Open Top Colt revolvers have wedges that can all too easily drop out and get lost when the barrel is removed. A simple modification can all but eliminate this problem. I started with a #8 split lock washer and modified it with needle files.

Unmodified washer on left, modified washer on right.

This washer is placed on the wedge screw with the flat positioned toward the wedge slot of the barrel. This provides a greater surface for the wedge spring to grab onto making for a tighter fit. If the wedge fit is too tight simply file a little metal off the flat surface and try again until fit is acceptable.

Hawg · November 10, 2016, 03:09 AM

I've never had one just fall out. The few times I've taken one out they required a little wiggling but if you're worried about it why not get a screw with a bigger head? It would look a lot better.

Smokin'Joe · November 10, 2016, 09:22 AM

Quote:

why not get a screw with a bigger head?

Where can I get one?

**4V50 Gary** · November 10, 2016, 09:34 AM

Not a bad idea. Fire blue it and it's not so noticeable. As to getting another screw, they'd have us make one on a lathe and mill.

Hawg · November 10, 2016, 06:49 PM

You'd have to check the threads but the bolt/trigger spring screw might fit. I'm not around mine right now or I'd check for you. If it does wrap the threads with electrical tape and chuck it up in a drill and turn it down with a file.

foolzrushn · November 11, 2016, 01:15 PM

It's possible you might find a metric screw to modify at the local hardware. Take your wedge screw with you in a container for your pocket, so it doesn't escape!

drobs · November 12, 2016, 10:05 AM

Curious if an E-clip would work / fit.

**4V50 Gary** · November 13, 2016, 11:31 AM

Hay-Seuss clips would probably work, but I'd put them on the screw and then put the screw into place. Slipping it onto the screw head could scratch the frame.

Hawg · November 13, 2016, 12:21 PM

Going by your pics the screw head is too small to start with.

sltm1 · November 13, 2016, 06:46 PM

Good eye Hawg.

Smokin'Joe · November 14, 2016, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Going by your pics the screw head is too small to start with.

Hawg, my screw is .275" in diameter. And yours?

Hawg · November 14, 2016, 03:21 PM

I'll have to get back with you on that. I'm not at home.

AKexpat · November 14, 2016, 05:36 PM

It appears to me that Smokin's screw heads are the same diameter as my 3 Pietta 1851's, and I don't have his problem with my pistols.

I can only think that the threaded hole for that screw is in the wrong location, OR the wedge slot might have been milled too low, but that is a reach insofar as alignment with the arbor slot. In this day and age of CNC machining, I dunno, unless that is an older pistol.

Good luck, Smokin', insofar as finding out why you had to do the ingenious solution you found and needed.

Jim

toot44 · November 15, 2016, 03:34 PM

i for one like the idea and have made one for my keeper screw, thanks alot. i think for one it is a great idea. thanks for shareing it with us. toot.

Smokin'Joe · November 15, 2016, 05:28 PM

Thank you, toot 44. Your reply made me all warm and fuzzy.

Hawg · November 15, 2016, 07:10 PM

Quote:

It appears to me that Smokin's screw heads are the same diameter as my 3 Pietta 1851's, and I don't have his problem with my pistols.

I can only think that the threaded hole for that screw is in the wrong location,

Mine are probably the same then.

That would be most likely.

Gavlan · November 15, 2016, 08:40 PM

I got curious so I had to measure mine and it's right on .273" and holds the wedge just fine, so your screw is right .
And like mentioned afore maybe the hole is a tad high,,,,,,, now we have to measure the top of the wedge slot to hole center ,,, oh boy,,,,

.

.
Having jesting a bit I have to say I'm a big fan of folks who see a problem and fix it themselves, I applaud you .

Smokin'Joe · November 15, 2016, 10:19 PM

Guys, there never was an issue with any of my open top revolvers regarding the wedge or the retaining screw. Everything was and still is in spec. My simple wedge retainer modification is just a way to keep the wedge from accidentally falling out when the barrel is removed. If any of you don't like the modification or don't feel the need to implement it on your revolver than, by all means, simply ignore my post. But you just might be surprised how much more secure the wedge is when my retainer is employed.

Hawg · November 16, 2016, 12:36 AM

Just from the pics it looks like the head of the screw is flush with the edge of the wedge slot when it should come below it to about where your retainer is.

toot44 · November 16, 2016, 09:23 AM

i had a wedge that fell out when i removed the barrell, the problem was the spring that runs in the middle for tension was verry over crompressed. i used to slip a small screw driver under it and apply upward preassure to it and it would work for a while then it had a memory and went back, no tension. finally replaced it problem solved. any one ever have toe same problem? BTW. the gun was an ASM, 36, yrs old. still going strong.

toot44 · November 16, 2016, 09:30 AM

SMOKIN,JOE, every one needs a warm fuzzy feeling now and then, glad it was me who gave it to you, LOL!!.toot.

November 9, 2016, 09:51 PM	#1
Smokin'Joe Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Posts: 211	Wedge Retainer for Open Top Revolvers Open Top Colt revolvers have wedges that can all too easily drop out and get lost when the barrel is removed. A simple modification can all but eliminate this problem. I started with a #8 split lock washer and modified it with needle files. Unmodified washer on left, modified washer on right. This washer is placed on the wedge screw with the flat positioned toward the wedge slot of the barrel. This provides a greater surface for the wedge spring to grab onto making for a tighter fit. If the wedge fit is too tight simply file a little metal off the flat surface and try again until fit is acceptable. Last edited by Smokin'Joe; November 10, 2016 at 09:19 AM.

November 10, 2016, 09:34 AM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Not a bad idea. Fire blue it and it's not so noticeable. As to getting another screw, they'd have us make one on a lathe and mill. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 11, 2016, 01:15 PM	#6
foolzrushn Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2015 Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 396	It's possible you might find a metric screw to modify at the local hardware. Take your wedge screw with you in a container for your pocket, so it doesn't escape! __________________ If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate ! certified 'soap welder'

November 12, 2016, 10:05 AM	#7
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Curious if an E-clip would work / fit. __________________ NRA Life Member

November 14, 2016, 05:36 PM	#13
AKexpat Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2014 Location: SW WA State Posts: 490	It appears to me that Smokin's screw heads are the same diameter as my 3 Pietta 1851's, and I don't have his problem with my pistols. I can only think that the threaded hole for that screw is in the wrong location, OR the wedge slot might have been milled too low, but that is a reach insofar as alignment with the arbor slot. In this day and age of CNC machining, I dunno, unless that is an older pistol. Good luck, Smokin', insofar as finding out why you had to do the ingenious solution you found and needed. 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

November 10, 2016, 03:09 AM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I've never had one just fall out. The few times I've taken one out they required a little wiggling but if you're worried about it why not get a screw with a bigger head? It would look a lot better.

November 10, 2016, 06:49 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	You'd have to check the threads but the bolt/trigger spring screw might fit. I'm not around mine right now or I'd check for you. If it does wrap the threads with electrical tape and chuck it up in a drill and turn it down with a file.

November 13, 2016, 11:31 AM	#8
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Hay-Seuss clips would probably work, but I'd put them on the screw and then put the screw into place. Slipping it onto the screw head could scratch the frame. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 13, 2016, 12:21 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Going by your pics the screw head is too small to start with.

November 13, 2016, 06:46 PM	#10
sltm1 Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 353	Good eye Hawg.

November 14, 2016, 03:21 PM	#12
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I'll have to get back with you on that. I'm not at home.

November 15, 2016, 03:34 PM	#14
toot44 Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 83	wedge keeper i for one like the idea and have made one for my keeper screw, thanks alot. i think for one it is a great idea. thanks for shareing it with us. toot.

November 15, 2016, 05:28 PM	#15
Smokin'Joe Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Posts: 211	Thank you, toot 44. Your reply made me all warm and fuzzy.

November 15, 2016, 08:40 PM	#17
Gavlan Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2015 Posts: 108	I got curious so I had to measure mine and it's right on .273" and holds the wedge just fine, so your screw is right . And like mentioned afore maybe the hole is a tad high,,,,,,, now we have to measure the top of the wedge slot to hole center ,,, oh boy,,,,. . . Having jesting a bit I have to say I'm a big fan of folks who see a problem and fix it themselves, I applaud you .

November 15, 2016, 10:19 PM	#18
Smokin'Joe Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Posts: 211	Guys, there never was an issue with any of my open top revolvers regarding the wedge or the retaining screw. Everything was and still is in spec. My simple wedge retainer modification is just a way to keep the wedge from accidentally falling out when the barrel is removed. If any of you don't like the modification or don't feel the need to implement it on your revolver than, by all means, simply ignore my post. But you just might be surprised how much more secure the wedge is when my retainer is employed.

November 16, 2016, 12:36 AM	#19
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Just from the pics it looks like the head of the screw is flush with the edge of the wedge slot when it should come below it to about where your retainer is.

November 16, 2016, 09:23 AM	#20
toot44 Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 83	wedge retainer i had a wedge that fell out when i removed the barrell, the problem was the spring that runs in the middle for tension was verry over crompressed. i used to slip a small screw driver under it and apply upward preassure to it and it would work for a while then it had a memory and went back, no tension. finally replaced it problem solved. any one ever have toe same problem? BTW. the gun was an ASM, 36, yrs old. still going strong.

November 16, 2016, 09:30 AM	#21
toot44 Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 83	barrell wedge retainer SMOKIN,JOE, every one needs a warm fuzzy feeling now and then, glad it was me who gave it to you, LOL!!.toot.