Huge barrel to cylinder gap on a new 1858 Pietta

[junkman_01]

What are you talking about? Trying to help a guy (you included) who asks for advice and then gets arrogant about what he gets is my problem, how?

 

[mykeal]

I have never used a percussion revolver with a cylinder to forcing cone gap over 0.010 inches, that I'm aware of. I can't say that you will be dissatisfied with the performance of a gun with a 0.020 inch gap, but it's not unsafe so it won't hurt to try it out. I suspect you will find it provides at worst inconsistent group sizes; muzzle velocity will be reduced, perhaps by as much as 20% but more likely about 10%. This would not be acceptable for a target/competition gun, and I'd not use it for hunting for the same reason. For plinking and weekend target shooting it may well be ok; that rather depends on your pistol shooting abilities and expectations.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

XXXX..Not worth my time and trouble..Ya'll have a good life....

 

[BHP FAN]

black powder revolvers are not modern revolvers,and the design itself is different.look at pictures of actual original percussion revolvers and check out the cylinder to barrel gap, and you'll be amazed. they were less worried about the loss of a few psi, than they were about binding up the gun from black powder fouling. If you are picky about cylinder gap, buy a Nagant revolver.

 

[Hellgate]

You will find upon firing that your hand will feel the heat of the flame out the gap on a cold day. I have fired a Remington that had the face of the cylinder out of true. i.e. as the cylinder turned the gap gradually got wider then tighter as it made its revolution. My grip hand was always much dirtier at the end of a shooting session with that gun than my other guns. No burns or anything but some sootiness.

 

[Mizar]

Gentlemen, thank you for the answers! I will definitely shoot this gun first - I always do this . The real problem is that i don't have another Remington with tight B/C gap to compare it to my revolver. And being my first cap and ball revolver I don't know what to expect from it.

As for my confrontation with Junkman - Mykeal, BHP FAN, Hellgate and several others did answer my question the best they can. THAT were the answers I was looking for. I clearly stated that I can do such an intervention to this gun, but all I got from Junkman was - "Live with it, you are going to break it if you try to correct it, you don't know how it operates..." When I said that I'm new to the world of black powder revolvers I didn't say that I'm new to firearms in general. When I don't know something I am not afraid to ask, even if my question may sound stupid. But I do get annoyed real fast when someone is making conclusions about my abilities without knowing me or without even seeing my work. And yes, I do get "arrogant" when somebody is trying to do the thinking instead of me.

Junkman, I am sorry for offending you.

Best,
Boris

 

[madcratebuilder]

But the real question is - is it worthed? If you have a revolver with similar B/C gap how it is performing - do you notice considerable velocity drop, excessive fouling and leading, bad accuracy?

You may have a 40-60fps drop in muzzle velocity, gap well not have a major effect on accuracy. I would go shoot it and establish a base line before doing any work on it.

 

[ironhead7544]

I think a gap that big is a valid concern. I would call the maker and see if they will fix it for you. This is a common problem with revolvers. A gunsmith will remove the barrel and shorten it in a lathe enough to go in one more turn. The gap can then be set by taking some off the barrel and rethroating.

 

[junkman_01]

Boris,

All is forgiven. Best of luck with your project.

 

[BHP FAN]

If it were out of time [the chambers and barrel didn't line up] then I'd worry. Definately shoot it.I predict you'll find that all is well!

 

[Mizar]

Thank you, gentlemen!!!

Boris