[Doc Rizzi]

Ok...my new 1861 arrived with a loose loading lever wedge, and thanks to the help of many forum readers I solved that problem with a very minor application of a brass punch to the dovetail....sweet. So, next I wanted to break it down and give it a nice hot water bath the soak off all the grease it came packed in. Never mind that it did not come with a manual (insert bad word here). I looked online and found out that could remove the wedge from the frame after depressing the spring with a golf tee and giving the wedge a gentle whack with a wooden mallet. So far so good. Next I found a video on the Cabela's site that showed me how to put the hammer on half-cock and remove the barrel assembly....but wait....it won't come off, surely I have not paid attention to the video. I watch it again and it looks like it is supposed to slide right off. Ok..it's new and tight, so I know that heat makes metal expand and I decide I would heat it up with some hot water and that should do the trick. Not a chance. It is on really good. I don't want to break anything ( I really like this gun) but I need to know how to properly remove the barrel assembly...and, if it is not too much trouble...I can't see how to remove the wooden grips either. Honest, I am not stupid....this is just the first time I have had a non-top strap revolver and I am on a very steep learning curve here. I look forward to your wisdom here.... (smile)

[Tommygunn]

To remove the barrel assembly, make sure the wedge is pulled all the way to left, until the screw head stops it, then put the hammer at "half cock." Make sure the cylindeer is aligned so the space between the chambers is where the plunger intesects, then use the loading lever to push the barrel off.
In order to remove the grips, the backstrap & trigger guard come off. The backstrap is held on by 3 screws which should be unturned. Two are right by the base of the hammer, the other is on the tow of the grip. The backstrap should now pull off, and you should be able to remove the one-piece wood grip.
If you need to remove the trigger guard, the mainspring must be removed. I have found it's usually easiest to push it down from where the hammer rests and twist it to the left, which helps loosen the crew, and that releases the tension on the spring. Then, there are three mor screws which can be seen from the bottom.
Hope the above helps.

[Doc Rizzi]

Damn....that worked like a charm. I love you guys...lol