'51 - '61

[44 Dave]

I wanted 5 1/2" (sheriff's) 1861 Navy barrel to be able to change with the Pietta '51 Navy, that was one of my earlier project guns. It is one of my favorite shooters, with all of the mods and the grip corrected.

I found a new barrel assembly (less wedge) on ebayView attachment 227153 , listed as a '62 Police (but will fit '61). Pietta doesn't do the Pocket size frames.

Have you ever come across an arbor that was too long? I made an end mill by grinding a bit to fit dulling the sides, so as not to enlarge the arbor hole, then sharpened it to end cut. I had to deepen the barrel hole a little over .020. When the frame met I took the forcing cone down a little to get .003. Had an old very beat up wedge that I worked down until it was just right.

Now I have 2 barrels that interchange with no adjusting of wedge screw (a 45 Dragoon repair to adjust wedge fit. Giving me a pair of '51 Navies or a '51 and '61.





View attachment 227153

 

[desidog]

You'll probably have more luck using recently made Pietta parts. Since they started using CNC machining, it's much easier to swap out parts.

I picked up a 61' barrel to snub for my '51 frame and cylinder; no problem with fit.

 

[expat_alaska]

If your arbor is too long to fit the barrel lug recess, that would be an anomaly, unless you are using an Uberti barrel. Pietta is very good in that area whereas Uberti arbors are short. Got a problem? Contact Goon.

 

[44 Dave]

This 1995 build Pietta had lots of problems years ago when I got it, broken frame to barrel pins,stretched barrel wedge hole, and over .025 barrel/cylinder gap. I had .020+ taken off to close the gap and still had to shim in the arbor hole about .015. I knew I was in for some problems when planed this new barrel.
I find these "projects" as much fun as shooting them.