Hammer alignment issue on new '58 Cimarron/Uberti

[Black Powder]

Greetings -

Just got a new '58 Cimarron/Uberti and the hammer is striking the frame by ever so small an amount, but enough to have dinged the frame and begun to leave a mark on the hammer.  It's also off enough that I'm surprised it was shipped this way.

Is this something a novice, non-smith, can correct or is it strictly for the pros?  If the latter, that will mean back to the seller cuz I shouldn't have to pay a nickel to have it fixed, including freight to/from, imho.

Much obliged for your thoughts & advice.


BP

[Flint]

This came up a few days ago on someone's 1860 Colt type.  See the issue under STORM.  The problem is historically worse on a Pietta, but the causes are probably the same.

Check the wings of the bolt, if they are spread too far apart (they should be paralell or just a bit over), the bolt will put too much pressure on the hammer and tilt the top to the left.  This is also compounded by too much clearance in diameter of the pivot screw and the hole in the hammer, allowing it to tilt.  Bushing the hammer and/or making a new screw with an oversized  shank can tighten that up.  

Too little pressure from the bolt wings can cause an early bolt drop as it will slip off the hammer's cam  ring your cylinder, so it's a trick to get the timing right without too much sideways pressure.  Worst case is fitting a new bolt that drops later without needing the wings spread.

Sometimes you need a shim washer beside the hammer to move it over a bit, but it's hard to reassemble unless you solder the shimwasher to the hammer.

There are many very loose fits in the Italian guns.

[Black Powder]

Flint -

That was exactly the right diagnosis and prescription.  After breaking the first bolt and replacing it with a $20 bolt from VTI  , I'm good to go.  Dang, them bolts must be hand-made...

Thanks for the quick reply and help.

BP