Uberti '71 threw a shoe ...I need a 'hand' ....

[PJ Hardtack]

I've got a low round count Uberti '71 in .38 Spl. that has thrown a shoe .....

After 200+ rds through the gun, the last 25 were BP. I disassembled the gun, cleaning the barrel and cylinder. I then gave attention to the frame and lo' - I couldn't get the hammer to full cock.
I took apart the action and did an inspection, finding a few rough spots and carefully polishing them out without changing any contours. Inserting the hammer and hand assembly with a steel pin or the hammer screw, I still have the problem.

Removing the hand and installing just the hammer, it swings just fine. Installing just the hand, I can move it up and down in the mortise without it hanging up. It's when the two parts are together that the problem exists.

What is the problem and what should I be looking for? I do have some parts on order, including a hand/spring assembly, but I really want to get the original parts functioning.

[Abilene]

If you are saying that the hammer cannot be pulled to full cock with the cylinder out of the gun, but works okay with the cylinder in the gun, then yes the hand is hanging up in its slot as it sticks out further than it would with the cylinder in place.  Some of these types of guns do it, some don't.  One of my 4 '51 R-M's does it.  I'm not exactly sure what might be done to correct it but I don't really care as I consider it a non-problem on mine.  If I have a need during cleaning to go to full cock, then I just take a screwdriver or anything else that is handy and push the hand back into the slot while pulling the hammer.  Now, if this is not the problem you are describing, well...nevermind  

[PJ Hardtack]

Abilene - I was a little premature in asking for advice .... just after hitting 'send', exactly what you are referring to occurred to me ...... duh ... ;>(

I put the frame in my padded vise, pressed in the hand with a punch and "Bingo!", was able to cock the hammer. So, I learned a lesson; '71s are a different breed of cat than my other SA revolvers. The gun functioned well before, and after my minor polishing, it's even better.
The good news is that no one got hurt and no screws were marred in the process of me learning the hard way -again.

After I sent my initial post, my wife dragged me away from the bench to go for a walk in the sunshine with her and the dogs. I told her about my 'problem' and she suggested that I put it back together and function test it. Smart girl! Had I done that, it would have worked.
This is a lady who tunes and maintains her expensive Janome sewing machine and serger. She's also my CAS shooting buddy.
No wonder I married her.

[Abilene]

Sounds good!