action shield

[olgeorge]

Could someone here describe the action shield that some install in revolvers to keep fouling and cap fragments out of the works? The only info I have are photos of the revolver with the shield in place. Nothing on how it is shaped or how it is attached. It seems to me that I read somewhere of a similar device that was available when the revolvers were in production. L. O. G.

 

[45 Dragoon]

Good question. I use a brass sheet cut to the hammer slot width. It is inserted into the hammer from the side as you would a roll pin. Once in place, the shield conforms to the contour of the hammer (forward) and then has a curl which acts as a "catch" for any solid debris that may find its way into the hammer slot. With each cycle of the hammer, the curl or "claw" presents any foreign matter at which point the revolver can be turned upside down to allow the object to fall clear, thus staying out of the action.
It also serves as a "ceiling" so to speak for the grease packed into the frame which will stay much cleaner for longer as the fouling from any blowback through the nipple will be arrested by the shield as well.



Here's what they look like on a pair of Dragoon 's.
Mike

 

[olgeorge]

So is a slot cut into the hammer for the brass sheet to fit into? Or am I asking for professional secrets to be revealed?

 

[45 Dragoon]

Actually, a hole is drilled first and then a slot cut down to it. This allows the "rolled end" to fit the hole and give a positive, secured attachment. It can be removed and reinstalled if ever needed. Also, I do clearance the area that the shield will occupy (thickness of material) so the "curled end" will be least obtrusive. No (or minimal) additional drag is introduced to the action overall. It's actually a most excellent feature!!
I install it on cartridge guns as well sans the curl or "claw", simply to keep the action "sealed" from the elements.

Mike

 

[olgeorge]

OK, I see what you mean. Thanks for taking the time to clear that up. I dunno if I'll ever try to make one. They don't accumulate much fouling hanging in the cabinet. Do you know if such a thing was made in the 1800s?

 

[45 Dragoon]

No problem, and I don't know. I've always said (in reference to these revolvers) any "new" thing you come up with, probably isn't. Some of my CAS shooters say they can't believe Sam didn't come up with that!! Lol

Mike

 

[TheOutlawKid]

Mike described it best! Ive found that .010-.015 brass or hardened/stiff aluminum work great. Ive notices it helps a lot with cap fouling getting into the guns...keeps them real clean inside. Youd be suprised how much fouling comes from the cap blast....when you have an action sheild installed you will see a thick film of fouling build up on it...without the sheild the fouling wouls have ended up inside the gun. When i was really really young and would shoot bb guns a lot i was loaned a cap and ball for the summer from some old timer to shoot with my older cousins....caps kept falling into the hammer.slot and jamming the works...so i had cut a thin sliver of soda can and hot glued it to the hammer lol...i thought i was real slick doing this keeping caps out...but since it was hot glued it would fall off sometimes and jam the gun haha. I couldnt do permanent alterations to the gun since it wasnt mine. Although it worked keeping caps out of the gun..my cousins made fun of me saying it was a dumb idea ...But fast forward about 12 years later and Mike from Goons Gun Works had them installed on some awesome slicked up guns....when i saw the action sheild he would put on the guns it made me feel like calling up my cousins and rubbing it in their faces that my dumb little peice of soda can wasnt a stupid idea after all.

 

[grter]

How about a side view of the hammer uninstalled with the action shield in place.

 

[45 Dragoon]

 

[arcticap]

Could someone here describe the action shield that some install in revolvers to keep fouling and cap fragments out of the works? The only info I have are photos of the revolver with the shield in place. Nothing on how it is shaped or how it is attached.

I've wonder the same thing.
That's a great photo.
Many thanks to Dragoon 45 for posting it.

 

[olgeorge]

Amen to what arcticap said. Thanks, Mike.

 

[45 Dragoon]

Thanks guys!

Mike

 

[Russell13]

Great info.

 

[Bibbyman]

I shot my Pietta 1860 Army at a Cowboy Action Shooting match on Sunday. I had a few problems but made it through the match, loosing two targets to a cap fragment falling in behind the hammer. On another stage, the hammer would come back, cylinder rotate and lock correctly but trigger wouldn't engage the full cock notch. I just "slip hammered" it and got the shot off and actually hit the target.

When I started to cleaning the guns, I found a lot more cap "shrapnel" than I expected.



The group on left out of one gun, the right out of the other. The RWS caps tend to explode.

I see at least cap rakes in my future adventures in hobby gunsmithing.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Thanks guys!

Mike

Just want to thank you for all the great info and advice you share gratis.