Pietta 44 need help

[planetmobius]

I have been shooting for decades and have quite the collection. I recently picked up my first cap n ball revolver. A Pietta brass framed 44. Got it from a friend who never shot it and lost interest. I thought that the first thing I should do is field strip it to familiarize myself. can't even begin. I cant get the wedge to budge. Whats the secret?

 

[michaelbsc]

... I cant get the wedge to budge. Whats the secret?

It's way easier the second time. And after about 4 or 5 times it gets pretty much like you expect it should be.

There's really nothing wrong. It's just that they come from the factory with the pin driven in REAL tight and there's no wear yet.

Make sure the screw is loose, then use a small block of wood and a mallet of some kind to drive it out. Don't use a steel hammer or you'll mar the surface.

But it will come out. It's just a tough battle that first time. My first one I thought was defective. But after some persistent tapping it finally popped out.

Clean the packaging oil and load it up and shoot a few cylinders with it to put a little wear on it. That helps a lot.

Like I said, after about 4 or 5 times it's beginning to get pretty well worn into a good fit.

If you think about it, you really do want them to send it out nice and tight so it wears in smooth rather than send it out loose so it just gets sloppy. OK, you could want them to send it out like a $1,500 gun, but then it would cost $1,500 and you'd have one instead of six.

MB

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

If it's REAL tight you might want to use a brass punch

 

[samcolt1860]

Make sure the screw is loose

You do not have to loosen the screw on the C&B Colts.

 

[mykeal]

In fact, the wedge screw should NOT be loosened. It's sole purpose is to keep the wedge from separating from the gun, which it might do if significant force is required to back it out of the arbor slot.

 

[hang fire]

If it's REAL tight you might want to use a brass punch

Just remember, brass work hardens. If the punch has been used much, the tip could become quite hard, as in enough to mar soft steel.

I periodically temper my brass punches by heating tip up to dark red, then plunge it into water.

 

[J-Bar]

Guido, the Italian Gorilla, is well known for his work at both the Pietta and Uberti factory for his compulsion to get the screws as tight as he can. Wouldn't want them shaking loose on the boat, you know.

 

[planetmobius]

Got it out. Thanks.