Looking for recommendations for removing the wedge on a Pietta 1851 Navy revolver...that is without buggering things up. My issue is depressing the the wedge spring thereby allowing me to tap the wedge free. I do have a brass drift punch for the wedge key (from Track of the Wolf) and a small hammer with plastic and brass ends. Using these tools I cuurently tap the wedge out...but...without first depressing the wedge spring. This seems harsh and I worry about messing up wedge spring as well as where it contacts the barrel. So...I am inteested in how those of you with experience with such things go about removing the wedge. Thanks in advance for recommendations.
Removing Pietta 1851 Wedge
- Thread starter JCG1949
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Jackrabbit1957
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Just tap it out, I have yet to see damage from a wedge spring. Anyone else want to weigh in?
.38 Special
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Same. Been playing with the things for decades and the only significant cosmetic damage I have caused while removing wedges was when I tried to keep the spring depressed while doing it.
I figure 14-year-olds should be allowed guns, and allowed pliers, but probably not at the same time.
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woodnbow
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My grandfather taught me to use a small billet of brass as a hammer as he had done for his whole life and now I’ve been tapping them out without depressing the spring for about 60 years without any issues at all. I’m keeping my fingers crossed but I think we’re on the right track.
45 Dragoon
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Just hit the spring with a downward blow with the plastic faced hammer and you'll be fine. It'll push the spring down and force the wedge out simultaneously. Always tap it good when putting it back in.
Mike
Mike
1KPerDay
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IF your spring is longer than the end of the wedge (if it protrudes further than the wedge does) DON'T hit the end of the wedge with anything that also contacts the end of the spring. I broke the spring retaining pin on a new Pietta Army by driving out the wedge with a brass hammer.
And no, I don't worry about depressing the spring first when driving out a wedge. It just provides resistance and won't cause any damage IMO.
And no, I don't worry about depressing the spring first when driving out a wedge. It just provides resistance and won't cause any damage IMO.
hawg
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All the spring does is keep the wedge from falling out when you take the barrel off. I've never depressed a spring to take one out. I've never broke one either. If it does break just be careful to not lose it when it comes all the way out. Just take something hard like a plastic hammer and whack it.
45 Dragoon
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Pietta's are basically all too long ( and it makes no sense!)!. Using a plastic faced hammer ( or a machinist hammer) is perfect. A downward blow to the spring/ wedge simultaneously will save the spring and the finish. Not sure I would use any metallic faced hammer on anything finished. Plastic has always worked well and is easy on the finish.
Mike
Captain*kirk
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Tap it flush with a plastic or nylon mallet, then drive it through with half of a wooden spring-closure clothes pin. The flat end fits perfectly. Don't worry about the spring. It's tapered and will compress as you drive the wedge out.
I use about anything handy. Plastic or wood screwdriver handle, block of hardwood. I have a scrap section of antler I keep in my black powder box. A short chunk of main beam and a point. It makes a little hammer by using the point as a handle. Then turnered around, the pint is used to push caps tight.
doubleh
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I have quit using brass hammers on guns after having to remove some brass marks from bluing after doing so. It's strictly plastic for me.
Appalachiannative
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I use a piece of wood and a rubber mallet.