1861 Springfield barrel band problem

[aequitas1916]

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping someone here with more experience can help me with what seems to be a stupid problem.

I own a Armi-sport repro 1861 Springfield. I've had it a while but didn't get around to firing it until a few months ago. Afterwards, I tore it down and gave it a good soak in Ballistol and a general going-over. As you know, there aren't a lot of moving parts so I figured it would be pretty simple toput back together. Everything went fine until I was putting the barrel bands back on. The retention spring/clips dont stay put. The bands seem to seat just fine, and past the retainers. But if I tilt the rifle on it's right side, the springs can just fall out. I feel like there should be a coil spring or something and that the bands should be over them to keep them from falling out, but I don't remember there being anything like that when I disassembled it.

This is probably pretty simple, but what am I missing?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[AlexanderA]

The band springs should be a drive fit into the stock (tap them in, use a pin punch from the other side to tap them out). They normally should not be removed. Your band springs appear to be loose in their holes. You can try to tighten them up by putting something like a flat toothpick into the hole.

Armi Sport (Chiappa) is not the best choice for a repro 1861 Springfield. They make an excellent 1842 Springfield, however. Go figure.

The best currently-available 1861 is made by Pedersoli. The long-discontinued Japanese Miroku is the best all-time reproduction, other than one-off custom jobs.