Wedge Screw on Colt Clones

[Sgt Major Barber]

Hey all.  This is possibly a question that shows my ignorance.  Is the wedge screw on Colt Clones, I have a '51, '60, '61, meant to stay in place tightened up or may one not use the screw at all?
Thanks.
Two Dot Wrangler

[hellgate]

There may be two functions (my guesses)
-The screw keeps the wedge from falling out by catching on the wedge spring when you tap it loose for disassembly & cleaning the gun
-You can back it out or screw it in to set the gap the same each time by using it as a spacer guide when tapping the wedge back in to the preferred position. I prefer a piece of paper .007" thick (cut in strips) and put between the cylinder and the barrel and used as a feeler gauge when tapping the wedge back in place after cleaning. Any copy shop will have various thicknesses of paper stock for pennies a sheet.

[65bsaA65]

Hellgate, how about just using a good set of automotive feeler guages instead of the paper?They are made from stainless.  I've always just put my wedges back in by eye and by feel, but now you've got me thinkin' that I should be more precise.

[Cincy Slim]

Wedges on my Pietta Colt clones don't effect cylinder/barrel gap. The Arbor bottoms out on the recess inside the barrel lug. That determines the gap. How tight I tap in the wedge only effects how hard it is to get back out. The screw can help keep the wedge from falling out but it's not really reliable. Look at some ads for real antique Colts for sale; even the nicest ones usually have wedges that have been replaced. I'm sure plenty of 'em dropped out into high grass, never to be seen again...

That's why I keep a couple of pre-fitted spare wedges, replacement screws and some trigger-bolt springs in my range box. Trust me , you'll need 'em eventually !

Slim

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The function of the screw actually varies slightly according to who made the pistol. On my old Navy Arms 44 cal brass framed 1851 Navy, the screw only functioned as a retainer to keep the wedge from being lost. You had to remove the screw to completely remove the wedge, but you could pull the wedge out far enough to remove the barrel without removing the screw. I always kept the scew completely snugged up, and driving the wedge in more or less did affect the barrel gap. I always just snugged it up by eye, never bothered with a tool.

I believe on some other pistols there is a flat on the head of the screw that allows the wedge to be completely removed by turning the screw far enough for the flat to clear the screw.

[hellgate]

I have a set of feeler gauges but they are not stainless. I have driven wedges in too far and caused cylinder binding as fouling built up. I found a .007" gap works fine. Paper is just so darned cheap and a few strips on the bench works a bunch of times.