Pietta 1873, needing advice

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sean m

sean m

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The other day I pulled out my Pietta 1873 and found that it had frozen up with a little bit of surface rust over the parts. In the process of detail stripping it the screw for the bolt and trgger spring has been damaged. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get it out. Any suggestions, before taking it to a smith.....
16154074778886552083471001677442.jpg
 
Howdy

If you are using penetrating fluid, and Kroil is very good, try applying it not only to the head of the screw but to the threads as well. If I recall correctly, that threaded hole is a through hole and you should be able to apply the Kroil to the threads by dripping it into the through hole. Apply it under the screw head too. Let it sit at least 24 hours. If you cannot get it loose like that just about your only other option is to drill out the screw, without damaging the threads in the hole, and pick out the pieces.

Stupid question: Why were you trying to remove the screw? Generally speaking, the only reason to remove that screw is if the spring breaks and you need to replace it.

If you get the screw out call the good folks at VTI Gunparts and order a new one.

https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/default.asp

Next on your shopping list, order some decent hollow ground screw drivers so you don't bugger up any more screw slots.
 
What he said ^^^^ (1KPerDay) . Apply the penetrating oil to both ends of the screw, and give the solvent plenty of time to work,.

The good news is that screw is very short, so you won't have to turn it many times before it falls out.

If you don't already have a replacement, order one or two. You don't want to keep that buggered screw.

edit: DJ beat me to the draw. Again.
 
sean m said:
The other day I pulled out my Pietta 1873 and found that it had frozen up with a little bit of surface rust over the parts. In the process of detail stripping it the screw for the bolt and trgger spring has been damaged. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get it out. Any suggestions, before taking it to a smith.....
Click to expand...

This buggered clean out screw came out by boiling the part in water and just bearing down hard on a bit screwdriver.
Use gloves to handle the hot metal, and keep trying...carefully.
The screw wasn't rusted in place.
Maybe tap the screwdriver with a hammer a few times.


index.php
 
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Looks like you buggered more than one screw there. As someone said above, invest in some decent fitted screwdrivers.
 
If conventional methods don't work, soaking the parts in a pan of heated transmission oil on a hot plate may help, heat is better than no heat.
Do it for days if necessary, until you decide to give up and take it to a shop.
 
Ditto on the soldering iron and tapping on it. If apparent it will be replaced, which it seems, you can vice it and use a flat punch to see if you can impact it from the side of the slot to break it loose.
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
Howdy

If you are using penetrating fluid, and Kroil is very good, try applying it not only to the head of the screw but to the threads as well. If I recall correctly, that threaded hole is a through hole and you should be able to apply the Kroil to the threads by dripping it into the through hole. Apply it under the screw head too. Let it sit at least 24 hours. If you cannot get it loose like that just about your only other option is to drill out the screw, without damaging the threads in the hole, and pick out the pieces.

Stupid question: Why were you trying to remove the screw? Generally speaking, the only reason to remove that screw is if the spring breaks and you need to replace it.

If you get the screw out call the good folks at VTI Gunparts and order a new one.

https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/default.asp

Next on your shopping list, order some decent hollow ground screw drivers so you don't bugger up any more screw slots.
Click to expand...
I bought the revolver used about 2 years ago from a pawn shop and it's been sitting in the safe since then. I gave it an initial cleaning at the time and everything was functional.
I pulled it out the other day and found the surface rust with the cylinder locked. I soaked the revolver in kerosene for several days without the grips and it was still seized.
So I disassembled it so I could drive the axis pin out from the hammer cutout. I then found the trigger spring screw had already been played with before I opened it up.
 
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Well had a little free time this afternoon, and got the screw out.
Ended up being able to get it moving with a bit of tapping with a center punch. Ordered the replacement screw, and some other parts (JIC) from Numrich.
Thanks for the suggestions.
 
stevekozak said:
Looks like you buggered more than one screw there. As someone said above, invest in some decent fitted screwdrivers.
Click to expand...

While properly fitting, hollow ground screwdrivers are important, unfortunately the Italian gun makers like to (a) over torque their screws, and (b) make them from steel that is about as hard as cheese. (I'M LOOKING AT YOU UBERTI!!!!)

That's caused me to do this a couple of times to $1200+ rifles.

1866-mill-1.jpg

Do not attempt this without a drill press, or as in my case, a milling machine.
 
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