1851 navy locking up.

[TWC]

Practically new 1851 Navy .36 wants to lock up some times, Noticed it using hammer to push on caps. Had to remove cylinder a couple times. Its like the hammer is not going foward enough
to get that last click. Shoots well and no problem when shooting. Was pleased with it but now this...

 

[skeeterfogger]

Have you checked it for cap fragment(s) jamming it?

 

[J-Bar]

The hammer must fall forward far enough to allow the leg of the bolt to reseat on the hammer cam. The presence of a cap on the nipple may hold the hammer back just far enough to keep the bolt locked.

Or as skeeterfogger noted, a spent cap fragment inside can give all sorts of problems.

I don’t like to mess with the bolt or cam, so if you determine that the hammer cannot go forward far enough, polishing a thousandth or two off the hammer face can work. At least it did for me.

I was taught that seating caps with a hammer is less safe than using a pusher at the loading space on the right side of the recoil shield. It’s not permitted in SASS competition. But, your gun, your risk.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

my bet is the bolt not resetting. Remove the cylinder and cycle the hammer slowly ad see if the bolt picks up, when the hammer is all the way down see if the bolt again picks up. If the inner leg of the bolt is not dropping off the cam on the hammer it can cause the problem you describe.

 

[woodnbow]

Practically new 1851 Navy .36 wants to lock up some times, Noticed it using hammer to push on caps. Had to remove cylinder a couple times. Its like the hammer is not going foward enough
to get that last click. Shoots well and no problem when shooting. Was pleased with it but now this...

That’s exactly what’s happening. Your caps aren’t fitting well and or the cones are too long.

 

[45 Dragoon]

J-bar is correct, it has to do with bolt reset.


Mike

 

[TWC]

Took it apart and didn;t find any cap fragments.Thought the days of finding machining grease and grit in a new revolver were over but not yet. Cleaned the hammer face and got rid of any sharp edges I may have missed.Rubbed on and polished some of the stuff needed it. Seems a lot better. Thanks for the replies.