Cimarron 1860 issues

[Jrw8214]

Hey Pards,
Im having some trouble with my 1860 Army. It seems that the hand assembly wont turn the cylinder. I think the spring may have broken, but my biggest problem is i cant get the rear backstrap screws out so i can disassemble the gun to repair it. Ive had this problem with them since i bought the revolver a couple of years ago, but i never bothered to fix it because i figured id leave it alone unless an issue came up. Can any of you tell me how i can get these screws out without stripping them?

Thanks,
Jacob

[Deadeye Don]

Spray some wd40 on the screws and let it sit at least overnight.   Make sure you have a properly fitting GUNSMITH  screw driver head for the screw.  Then try it again.   If they still wont budge repeat the Wd40. Mongo tightens those screws at the factory.

[Jrw8214]

Thanks Deadeye, ill give that a shot. Im a bit low on cash though, ill see if i can get enough together for a gunsmith screwdriver

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  Don't even try to remove the back strap screws with out having the right screw driver tip , you could ruin the screw head to a point you would have use an easy out to get the screw out, just put the gun aside and wait until you have the right driver...... ( IMHO )


                                                              tEN wOLVES 

[Jrw8214]

I think thats a wise choice. Not like i'll be shooting it anytime soon(unfortunately) anyways. Are there any really good tools you can recommend? I looked at them awhile ago and there were quite a few choices.

[Deadeye Don]

Brownells

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/catsearch.aspx?k=screwdriver&ps=10&si=True

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Jrw8214

         Dead Eye nailed it , since Magna-Tip, drivers and tips came on the market, I fined myself useing them the most, I have several other brands but like the Magna-Tip the best, I have a set for my Colt SAA or clones , and a set for my Rugers, they have master sets that cover just about everything, you can start out by just getting what you need. they're not that expencive, and the quality is high, when you call Brownells or go on line ask for there free catalog then you'll be set for future problems, like broken parts or the need for tools...



                                                         tEN wOLVES 

[Jrw8214]

Much obliged fellas. I appreciate the help.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Excuse me for saying this, but WD-40 is not a penetrating fluid, it is a water displacing fluid. What you need is a penetrating fluid. The best is a product called Kroil, but if you can't find any just go down to the local hardware store and ask for penetrating fluid.

Penetrating fluid is an extremely low viscosity fluid that works its way into the tiniest crevices, better than WD-40 can. The problem is, you will be applying the fluid to the head of the screw, and where it really needs to be is down in the threads. It is fairly common for the head of the screw to block the fluid from reaching the threads.

Place the gun loosly in a padded vice, or rig up some way to prop it up with the offending screws sitting vertically. Squirt a drop of penetrating fluid onto the screw head and let it sit for a while. Come back an hour or two later and apply a little bit more. You want to give it some time to work its way down past the screw head and into the threads. With your really good, well fitting, hollow ground, gunsmith's screwdriver, try to back the screw out. Bear down on the screwdriver to keep it in the screw slot, do not allow it to climb up out of the slot. That will quickly ruin the screw. Apply moderate torquing pressure. Hopefully the screw will back out. If not apply some more penetrating fluid and let it sit over night.

Another trick, if the penetrating fluid does not work is to use the screwdriver as an impact driver. Place the screw driver tip in the screw slot and give it several sharp raps with a hammer. Hopefully this may break loose the hold the threads have in the hole.

Your last ditch option is to very carefully apply heat to the metal surrounding the screw, without heating the screw. This is tough to do, you need a point source of heat. This will expand the metal, surrounding the scew without expanding the screw.

If all these efforts fail it is time to bring it to a gunsmith to drill out the screw. If you do manage to get the screw out, consider replacing it as you will probably have gouged up the slot pretty badly. When replacing the screw, coat the screws lightly with oil to prevent them from rusting in place.