Revolver Won't "Index"

[Rinehartdv]

I recently received a cap and ball revolver as a gift. I believe it is an 1851 repro. I have a problem with the revolver and I'm hoping you folks could help. It will not completely lock-up on one of the notches. I have to turn it very slightly by hand. Any ideas on what could be malfunctioning? I'm not afraid to do a little home fix-it work. This revolver is new, never been fired. Thank's, Ray

 

[Chawbaccer]

I'll take a guess. You have a weak locking bolt spring. you can take the trigger guard off and check it out. the spring is held on by the screw at the front and the same spring operates the trigger return.

 

[Beartracker]

Yep, That's what it sounds like to me too. Sometimes you can take off the spring and bend the hands up so that it's stronger.

 

[oneshooter]

If you have to turn it by hand to make it lock, then the timing hand is too short and is not revolving the cylinder enough for the bolt to engage the cylinder notch. Depending on the amount it is off then the fix can be simple, or not simple.
Simple: Remove the timing hand from the revolver and place it, with the pin facing up on a hard surface. Then take a SMALL ball peen hammer and strike the end third . CAREFULL!! What you are doing is "peening" the hand and making it slightly longer. Reinstall and try, if still too short then repeat. I would not do this more than 3 times.
Good Luck

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

 

[MLKeith]

If the problem is only with one of the cylinders before you do anything drastic like peening the hand check for any slight burrs that might be on the cylinder notch that could stop the lockup. If all the other cylinders lock up correctly the hand is not the problem. The weak spring could be a possibility.

 

[Rinehartdv]

Thank's

Thank's folk's. I removed the barrel and cylinder and took a look at the parts. When I put it back together it worked fine. Apparently the action is effected by how the wedge is installed. Thank's for taking the time to help out a BP newbie. Ray