Flimsy but easy and cheap

[Appalachiannative]

So I haven't even had my Pietta 1851 navy but for a month or two but apparently in my 4 hour shooting session yesterday that was all it took to break something. I was inspecting it tonight to make sure that I wasn't getting surface rust after cleaning and noticed all of a sudden the bolt was popping up and locking the cylinder in half cock took it apart and found this the trigger / bolt spring has snapped. Made of really thin metal too so I wouldn't be surprised if this kinda thing happens a lot. Luckily the EMF people have me one coming in for $6 with free 2nd day air shipping. How they can make money this way idk. Anyone else find these things to break so easy? I also dunno how it worked fine while I was shooting then cleaning yesterday only to break the next day when I put it in half cock to turn the cylinder to look in the chambers

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

The straw that broke the camels back!

 

[Appalachiannative]

The straw that broke the camels back!

Reckon so. At least this happened now and not when I was about to go shooting

 

[Miguel Loco]

Order 2 or 3 spares.....

 

[AlexanderA]

This is why people go to the wire-type replacement. Not authentic, but much more durable.

 

[.38 Special]

So I haven't even had my Pietta 1851 navy but for a month or two but apparently in my 4 hour shooting session yesterday that was all it took to break something. I was inspecting it tonight to make sure that I wasn't getting surface rust after cleaning and noticed all of a sudden the bolt was popping up and locking the cylinder in half cock took it apart and found this View attachment 1082609the trigger / bolt spring has snapped. Made of really thin metal too so I wouldn't be surprised if this kinda thing happens a lot. Luckily the EMF people have me one coming in for $6 with free 2nd day air shipping. How they can make money this way idk. Anyone else find these things to break so easy? I also dunno how it worked fine while I was shooting then cleaning yesterday only to break the next day when I put it in half cock to turn the cylinder to look in the chambers

Yeah, those break. Normally not so soon, but...

I concur with the proposal to either buy several replacements, or a wire version.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Wire type version?

 

[44 Dave]

There is rust on that spring ! Why?

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Looks like it broke where there was significant rust.

The gun wasn’t properly maintained.

 

[AntiqueSledMan]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/100418864?pid=557872

 

[Starter52]

Italian made BP revolvers are famous for broken springs.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Looks like it broke where there was significant rust.

The gun wasn’t properly maintained.

Clearly someone shot it and cleaned up only the outside

 

[paul harm]

An improper heat treat. JMHO

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Folks are right about the wire springs, they don't break very often, in fact they usually last the lifetime of the gun if it's maintained, I guess the flat ones can as well but it seems that they fatigue easier and loose tension or get brittle. Once you've changed over to the wire springs you won't go back to the flat ones, it's a completely different feel to the gun. Another tip is pack the internals with hi temp wheel bearing grease, it keeps moisture and powder fouling out of the action and makes cleaning much easier.

 

[Old No7]

...took it apart and found this -- the trigger / bolt spring has snapped. Made of really thin metal too

Don't just put a new replacement spring back in there without checking the fit of the bolt to its opening in the bottom of the frame. In my experience, most bolts are fit way too tight (from Italian makers); you don't want it loose and wiggly, but if its a friction fit that will cause the spring to break.

I've had to adjust the width of the bolts ever-so-slightly on 4 out of 4 Italian BP revolvers I've owned. And there are other tips & tricks online to tune them up and smooth the actions.

Old No7

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

Alot of people love the wire bolt springs.

But....

I hate the wire bolt spring and much prefer the flat springs. Ymmv

Give her a whirl and see how ya feel

 

[.38 Special]

I hate the wire bolt spring and much prefer the flat springs. Ymmv

Why?

 

[Appalachiannative]

Alot of people love the wire bolt springs.

But....

I hate the wire bolt spring and much prefer the flat springs. Ymmv

Give her a whirl and see how ya feel

could you elaborate? What's the difference in shooting the gun with each type of spring. I've heard a lot about how long they last but not much about how they function

 

[Appalachiannative]

Don't just put a new replacement spring back in there without checking the fit of the bolt to its opening in the bottom of the frame. In my experience, most bolts are fit way too tight (from Italian makers); you don't want it loose and wiggly, but if its a friction fit that will cause the spring to break.

I've had to adjust the width of the bolts ever-so-slightly on 4 out of 4 Italian BP revolvers I've owned. And there are other tips & tricks online to tune them up and smooth the actions.

Old No7

Mine does not wiggle but it is definitely not friction fit either. I think the previous owner neglected to ever clean the insides out. After that I was hesitant to take the thing all the way apart for fear of not being able to figure out how it all goes back (only to figure out that if you calmly and patiently work with it it's no big deal) long story short from now on I will probably take the whole thing most of the way apart after every shooting session

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

What I hear when I said I dont like the wire spring was
I don't like the feel of the action with the wire spring

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Are you talking about a torsion type spring or a direct wire replacement for the flat spring?