Jager Dakota 1873 in 357

Rogmatt · February 05, 2018, 09:25:18 PM

I have an Italian Jager Dakota in 357. The loading gate will not open. Any ideas? It has been so long since I have had it apart, I have no idea how it happened.Thanks for any help.

Fingers McGee · February 05, 2018, 10:35:25 PM

Take the cylinder out & loosen the screw on the recoil shield under the gate. You may have to remove the screw & spray some PB Blaster or WD40 in the hole to free it up.

Sagebrush Burns · February 05, 2018, 11:03:07 PM

Quote from: Fingers McGee on February 05, 2018, 10:35:25 PM
Take the cylinder out & loosen the screw on the recoil shield under the gate. You may have to remove the screw & spray some PB Blaster or WD40 in the hole to free it up.

I think your basic idea is on track, but it will be a good trick to get the cylinder out without being able to open the loading gate.

Pettifogger · February 06, 2018, 01:51:10 AM

Remove the backstrap and triggerguard and there is a screw under the gate area. That has a spring and plunger under it. Loosen the screw and you lower the tension on the gate. If you loosen it and it is still stuck remove the screw, spring and plunger and squirt oil in the hole and let it work in for a while. Then it is a matter of working the gate until it breaks free.

Coffinmaker · February 06, 2018, 10:46:49 AM

PLUS ONE to Pettifogger.

Quote the Dragon ....... Rust and Corrosion NEVER SLEEP

Rogmatt · February 06, 2018, 04:25:04 PM

Thanks will do and report back.

Abilene · February 06, 2018, 05:21:02 PM

Hmm, I answered this one same as Pettifogger when there were no replies yet, guess it didn't go through. So I will have to say +3

If it was an opentop/conversion type gun then Fingers' answer might be correct.

Coffinmaker · February 06, 2018, 07:59:55 PM

Naw. Big Freeking Hammer anna Chizel.

WHACK!! It'll open ... you betcha

LongWalker · February 06, 2018, 09:25:37 PM

Last one I had like that, I removed the grips and tossed it in the solvent recovery tank of the parts washer. A couple days in a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF will soak right through the rust.

Rogmatt · February 09, 2018, 07:19:55 PM

Took it apart. Sprayed lubricant in the loading gate screw/spring hole. I didn't tighten it up as much as it was. Plenty of tension on the screw from the spring so I didn't tighten all the way but just barely firm. Works great now. Thanks to all for the advice.