Question/Advice Re: Remington NMA Timing

[tpelle]

I have a Pietta .44 Remington New Model Army. One aggravating thing about this revolver is that, when you place the revolver on half-cock, the cylinder is slightly over-rotated. The loading ram will not enter the chamber, and the hand prevents the cylinder from being "back-rotated" so that the ram lines up.

It seems to me that one could slightly deepen the half-cock notch on the hammer so that the trigger enters the half-cock notch sooner. Therefore the hand would not be pushing on the ratchet as far and the cylinder would no longer be rotated too far. The bolt is cammed away from the cylinder locking notch plenty soon enough so the cylinder will be free to rotate.

Does my reasoning seem OK? Is there any downside to deepening the half-cock notch?

 

[BHP FAN]

Are you sure thats half cock? once it's on half cock you should be able to ''free wheel'' the cylinder, that is spin it freely [with only a slight resistance and muted click click as each stop position is passed] and choose a chamber....

 

[Skinny 1950]

If you pull the hammer to full cock and the ram doesn't go in to the chamber then you should worry.
Half cock it just that... the cylinder will not line up with the barrel or the loading lever. The bolt is released allowing the cylinder to turn.

 

[junkman_01]

tpelle,

It sounds like you do not really have a problem. Skinny and BHP gave you the answer.

 

[tpelle]

Not so sure. At half cock the cylinder is just slightly too far rotated. In order to load the revolver you have to charge the chamber with powder, place the ball on top, then carefully rotate the cylinder JUST FAR ENOUGH for the ram to press the ball into the chamber. If you go just a LITTLE TOO FAR when rotating the cylinder to line up with the ram, the ratchet clicks over the hand, then the cylinder is too far rotated and the ram wont seat the ball properly. You have to remove the ball before ramming, then rotate it all the way around for another go at it.

I'm betting that, on half cock, the ratchet is supposed to have lined up the cylinder with the ram.

On a Colt SAA, when you go to half-cock, the ratchet lines the chamber up with the loading gate. I'm betting the Remmie should do something similar.

 

[BConklin]

It's the same with my Remmies as well. I agree with above posters - this is not a problem with the timing of your gun - yes it's a PITA when loading and you might think it's a mechanical problem but as far as I know it's a part of the design of the revolver and is common to all of them.

 

[SAA]

It's all good and proper. Don't worry; Be happy.