[cloudswimmer]

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster.I'm just getting into cap and ball and have got me a pair of Cabela Hickock 1851's made by pietta.I can get the barrel wedges out by tapping on them with my 4oz Brownell nylon hammer, but can't actually pull the barrel off for cleaning.I've tried using the loading lever placed between chambers on the cylinder, but anymore force and I'm afraid of bending something.So any suggestions on getting the barrel off on these?Thanks!

Chris

[Chawbaccer]

Usually the loading lever pops them off. I do agree with you not to use excessive force. I would try heating the base end of the barrel with a heat gun. Probably some sticky grease on the arbor.

[scrat]

Dont know if i would use direct heat. we have all seen this alot. especially with plated guns. I would use hot water before using heat. Once you do get it off you really need to inspect where it is hanging up. I have had to buff down the arbor shaft on some and slightly bore out the inside of another one. so you may have a little bit of fitting to do. Another suggestion would be once the wedge is off to use a another wedge to tap in between the cylinder and frame. forcing it off.

[madcratebuilder]

A heat gun (industrial hair drier) should heat it enough to pop it off.
use a another wedge to tap in between the cylinder and frame. forcing it off.

Use a wedge made of hard wood so you don't damage the frame.

[mykeal]

Use impact (shock) rather than just steady force on the loading lever: Hold the revolver with the grips between your knees, barrel pointing up. Rotate the cylinder to place the loading lever ram between two chambers (you can put a piece of cloth between the cylinder face and the ram to prevent marring the cylinder if you'd like). Pull the lever down to bring the ram into contact with the cylinder face. Hold a piece of wood against the lever at the end and tap the wood with a small hammer. Gradually increase the force of each hammer impact until the shock pops the barrel assembly off the frame pins. This should happen well before the lever is bent.

[cloudswimmer]

How about just tapping the cylinder face a little bit on each side with my little nylon hammer?Would that hurt anything?

[Sagetown]

:cool: madcratebuilder. ;) ... That'd be my answer too.

[Hellgate]

Just be REAL sure you have the wedge COMPLETELY out of the slot. I've pried a few that didn't want to budge til i got the wedge knocked out of the slot to where it was just hanging by the wedge spring hung up on the wedge screw. If the nose of the wedge isn't clear of the slot, it ain't gonna budge.

[Macmac]

How about just tapping the cylinder face a little bit on each side with my little nylon hammer?Would that hurt anything?

Nope, all that will do is maybe break the cylinderhand. The barrel is stuck on the clyinder pin.

Probably on dried grease.

If it were mine I would removed the wooden grips, and set the frame in a vise, a very well padded vise in leather and soft cloth. Then hit the area with one or another penatrating oils, and wait awhile.

Then armed with a hair drier, and wood/rawhide mallet and a nylon/hard wood wedge apply some pressure and heat the barrel, working the lever as has been stated with that hammer, tapping rapidly, but not hard.

If you happen to be anywhere near New Hampshire sing out..

[Donny]

This has happened to me with my Piettas. The arbor gets a burr or spreads after shooting. Make sure to take the wedge completly out then twist and pull. Usually works for me and wears the burr off after a few times.
Don

I'm in Laconia

[Hellgate]

If you put it in the padded vise (good idea) and knock it apart, make sure your floor is clean of debris (sawdust and boxes of junk unlike mine) so when you knock the gun apart the alignment pins don't end up on the floor somewhere.

[mykeal]

make sure your floor is clean of debris (sawdust and boxes of junk unlike mine) so when you knock the gun apart the alignment pins don't end up on the floor somewhere.
Very good advice!

[cloudswimmer]

Some great ideas here guys.Thanks!Anymore keep em coming.Probably won't have a chance to work on em till after the 25th.After I get em off I'll post my results.

Chris

[Macmac]

Oh come now. you don't enjoy swearing like all real sailors do creeping around on yer knees? Hunting for parts smaller than any 50 year old should be able to see?

I always steal my wifes white cotton pillow cases, and just hope I don't get caught before i put it back on her pillow. :D

OT: Donny, Tamworth here...

[Donny]

Tamworth is nice, used to live in Sandwich many years ago.

Donny

[BHP FAN]

pull the cylinder wedge out completely,put a stout piece of lether between the cylinder and the rammer,and swingthe rammer down ,as if to load.The leverage will pop the barrel right off.Then,make sure she's on half cock,and slip the cylinder off.If your pistola is not on half cock when you do this you've just put a nice scratch on the cylinder.

[Mike 56]

I would put the gun in halfcock and tap the side of the barrel while putting presure on the loading arm.

Mike56

[scrat]

Well i guess we are all still waiting and wondering. Did the barrels ever come off.

[Tinker2]

cloudswimmer

I would take it back to Cabelas. Let them take it apart and or fix it.
If they mess it up, they fix it, if you mess it up your stuck.
It should work when you buy it. They DO stand behind what they sell, it is figured into the price they sell it for.

If you can take it back then the other information here will work.


Good luck, let us know how it goes.


Tinker2