My latest episode with the Pietta 1851

[ClemBert]

So, some of you are familiar with my battle(s) with my Pietta 1851. I really like this little cap-n-ball revolver but it is clear it doesn't like me.

After my last episode, that I linked above, I thought I was done with my gunsmithing activities on this one. Just to make sure my latest fixes were running smooth I cycled the 1851 a couple of dozen times, wiped it down, then put it away in the gun safe. Well, I decided the other day that I needed to get a fix by fondling some of my revolvers. I pulled out the 1851 revolver to admire it's simple beauty and to give it a lil' love. Low and behold if one of the screws was protruding out the side of it. Specifically, it was the bolt screw. The screw head was completely exposed. At first I thought that perhaps I must have forgotten to completely install the screw. But then I knew that wasn't the kind of sloppy work I did. Anyhow, I re-tighten the screw then proceeded to cock the hammer back a dozen times. Damn, if that screw wasn't sticking out the side again! So, I watched that screw as I cocked the hammer back and observed that every time the bolt popped back up near full cock the screw would back out just a little bit. I was beginning to think this sucker was haunted or had suicidal tendencies.

So once again I completely disassembled the 1851. I took the bolt screw and the Dremel tool and put a nice polished finish on the area where the screw goes through the bolt. I reassembled everything and put some lube on the screw shaft where it goes through the bolt. Seems like for now that has solved the problem. I wonder how many of y'all use Loctite or similar product on your screw threads to keep them from vibrating or backing out?

 

[Fingers McGee]

Sorry to hear of your trials and tribulations with that obviously possessed pistol. To ease your troubled mind, and being; just pack it up with a few cloves of garlic and send it to me. I will attempt to straighten it out for you. It may take years and numerous CAS matches to do so; but I am confident that the possessed pistol will eventually straighten up and fly right.

Fingers

PS, and no, I've never seen the need to use locktite on any of my pistols.

 

[Ratdog68]

Is this the same witch that had the seized wedge when you bought it?

 

[OYE]

I do use loctite on any screws that will not stay tight. On 1858's the main spring tension screw on the front of the grip and the loading lever screw most often. I usually put a small scribe mark on the frame by each screw slot so I can tell at a glance if it's working loose ( on the using guns ). With the cylinder out, letting the hammer fall 10 times
will "usually" loosen one if it's going to, but not always.

 

[BCRider]

On BP revolvers they need to be stripped down much to often to make it worthwhile using locking compounds.

If this were happening to one of my Colt designs I'd be looking at how the bolt screw fits the frame. With the bolt out put the screw into the frame and check to see that none of the screw threads are intruding into the space where the bolt sits. If they are then what may well be happening is that the bolt is catching or wedging the bit of the threaded part and that is what is turning the screw out. By polishing the pin you may have also polished part of the end of the threaded portion and now it's sort of OK. But if the thread is sticking into the inside of the frame where the bolt lives then it will still be rubbing and that is what you need to avoid.

If you do find that it's rubbing like that a quick cure would be to grab the smooth portion in a hand drill and then use a file that has a good smooth edge to cut back the beginning of the threading a few thou. And don't trust the factor safety edges. Stone the safety edge to make it perfectly smooth before trusting it not to cut into anything.

 

[ClemBert]

Is this the same witch that had the seized wedge when you bought it?

Actually, it is the replacement to the original witch that had the tight wedge. However, I should say, this replacement had a tight wedge just as tight as the first one. In other words, Cabelas sent me two 1851's that both had wedges from hell.

 

[Ratdog68]

Hmmm.... two in a row with headaches? Bad run of them m'be? With that purdy scroll work on that "on sale" model (as I recall)... you'd think they'd give it a little extra love during assembly?

 

[BCRider]

It's surprising that they let them go that way. Must be some pretty ham fisted final assembly types doing the work.

 

[MCgunner]

I use BLUE loctite on screws that loosen themselves. Notorious is the front frame screw that impinges on the crane on DA revolvers. Use BLUE, though, not RED. Use the red and you may never get that screw out, again.

 

[TomADC]

Blue Loctite is good but in a fix use nail polish, my wife keeps clear around and it works great plus nail polish remover cleans it up just fine.

 

[ClemBert]

Thanks fellas. I'll go along with Loctite Blue if I notice screws starting to back out on their own. I kind of suspected that revolvers that are taken apart often start to get a little loose in the screw(s).

 

[Sagetown]

Clembert; although it is unusual for the screws to back out on the black powder revolvers, when necessary to adhere them temporarily just use a dab of your wife's clear fingernail polish on the screw threads and install. The screws will break loose easily the next time you disassemble your gun.

 

[Bluehawk]

I wonder how Teflon tape would work? The kind ya use on pipe threads.

 

[Sagetown]

by Bluehawk: I wonder how Teflon tape would work? The kind ya use on pipe threads.

It would be a troublesome task with such small screws, but in a pinch it may work.

 

[scrat]

Loctite no.

Teflon tape yes. take some scissors. some teflon tape. cut a small strip so its not that big. wrap the screw and then screw it in. it should be ok. and easy enough to come out later on.

 

[rmodel65]

maybe liquid teflon tape would work....