Tuning Open Tops

[dutch harbor john]

Hello to the forum, just a wealth of great knowledge and experience here. I would like to try my hand at tuning the actions on my open top Pietta and Uberti revolvers. Can someone tell me what I need as far as what size or kind of stones and files to use? Something I can  pickup from Brownell. Thanks
John

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings John

In general, I recommend a good flat steel or glass plate, a supply of 220, 320, and 400 grit wet-or-dry paper;
any good set of swiss files, and some HARD arkansas stones and "slips" in various szes like these

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/stones/gunsmith-s-premium-arkansas-stone-file-set-prod625.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/stones/colt-single-action-hand-slot-stoning-kit-prod9628.aspx


then might I suggest you start here
http://www.theopenrange.net/articles/

and search cascity for "tuning"

hope this helps
prof marvel

[Crow Choker]

Besides getting the proper tools, ask questions and read as much as you can on tuning before attempting to alter the inards of any gun. Also know how the action operates, how each part interacts with others. Once you take too much metal off and/or in the wrong areas, your 'screwed' unless you're also proficient in welding small metal parts and heat treating or prepared to buy new parts. I've known guys who attempted tuning and altered the timing and safety of the gun. Saw a 51' Navy once with a resulting hair trigger so light that was altered by the owner that you could breathe on it and fire the gun. Just sayin'!

[Coffinmaker]

Before you take any sharp tools to hand and attack your guns ....     Hop over to "The Open Range" which is now a "read only" forum.
Go digging around and find the tutorials by Larsen E Pettifogger.  Read EVERY word.  TWICE.  Look up VTI Gunparts.  Your going to need them.

Coffinmaker

[45 Dragoon]

DHJ,
You would do well to get a copy of "The Colt Single Action Revolvers A  Shop Manual" by Jerry Kuhnhausen. You will see the sequence of a build and learn the sequence for tuning the action. You'll also see that the Mod.P was designed to house an action stop  (but it didn't make it to production) which is why a stop is part of my service.

I was taught to use files instead of stones. Stones change shape. The flat surface and sand paper of the grades mentioned will maintain surfaces. A good magnifying glass/glasses and a loop will help/allow you to see critical surfaces/angles.

 Good luck.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram @ goonsgunworks

[dutch harbor john]

Thank you all for the  advice. Believe me my intentions are to smooth some burrs, maybe polish some wear surfaces. I definitely will do a lot more studying on this site. I am just getting back into shooting these great revolvers. Back in 1968 I  had a Lyman 51 Navy. Many groundhogs fell to this gun as I was changing water on my Uncles ranch, fond memories and blackpowder was $3.00 a can. Thanks again for the feedback.
dhj