barrel play in 1851 Navy

[dark_light]

I have a 1851 brass frame that has some barrel play in it. I know the brass ones get loose after a while, but is it dangerous to shoot? The arbor seems to get a little loose too, but if you tighten it the wedge doesn't go back in.
Is this gun done? Should I get a new steel frame? Or is there a way to fix this?
Thanks for the replies.

 

[GNLaFrance]

What do you mean by "barrel play"? How are you tightening the arbor?

The arbor needs to be solidly anchored. If it has any play, you need to get it to someone who can fix it. Either that, or just hang it on the wall.

Get this book: Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West

 

[surbat6]

+1 to GNLafrance's post. It's time to hang the loose one up and save up for a new one (hopefully a Uberti or Pietta with a steel frame).

 

[dark_light]

OK.. I was going to get a Pietta steel frame 1851 from Dixie Gun Works. Is that a good place to get it from?

 

[denster]

Cabela's has them on sale at $199 for the standard and the engraved Hickock fancy version for $249. For very little extra money the Hickok is the way to go. Cabela's also has a $5 shipping special going on now also.

 

[dark_light]

It seems a shame to hang it up.. it has nice smooth action. Has anyone here run across this condition and have they fixed it?

 

[dark_light]

Did an experiment because I couldn't understand how the barrel was wobbling (slightly) when the wedge is a tight fit. I noticed the hole where the arbor goes into on the barrel seemed a bit to large and there was (to my mind) excessive play. To experiment I put a small piece of tinfoil in the hole to make a shim and put the barrel on. Tight as a drum. No play at all. Nothing rotates there so wear should not be a problem. Anybody have any thoughts?