1860 Army cylinders

Noz · April 21, 2008, 10:35:52 AM

I've been shooting the 1860s a LOT. The notches in the cylinder are beginning to show battering from the abuse I've given them.
Is there a repair possible or just a new set of cylinders? I don't want them to quit me at an inopportune time.

Pettifogger · April 21, 2008, 11:00:42 AM

Are they Piettas of relatively recent manufacture?

Flint · April 21, 2008, 11:56:53 AM

I would expect that repairing the notches would cost more than a new cylinder. Make sure your bolt timing is correct, as there shouldnt be a lot of damage to the notches if the bolt is properly shaped, sprung and timed....

hellgate · April 21, 2008, 03:32:45 PM

I noticed that the lead ins to the bolt notches on my Pietta were getting battered. I figured it is either due to a sharp edge on the bolt or a strong bolt spring. The gun runs well so I didn't bother to do anything about it lest I reshape something that suddenly doesn't work like it used to.

Noz · April 21, 2008, 04:16:48 PM

Pettifogger. Yes 3 years old or so.
Flint. One is timed perfectly and the lead is showing the battering. The other is slightly late and is catching the very edge of the notch. I looked at them more closely after making this post and the damage is minimal.
I think I can slow the timing a bit on the one gun and be good to go for a while.

Pettifogger · April 21, 2008, 04:46:21 PM

The Piettas have a bolt problem, but it has little or nothing to do with bolt timing. I have written a multi-page article with 60 photos for the Cowboy Chronicle explaining the problem, how to repair the cylinder, and how to correct the problem so it doesn't happen again. Should be out in a month or so. Giving Tex part 2 of the article Wednesday at Buffalo Stampede.

Black Powder · April 21, 2008, 07:09:42 PM

Quote from: Pettifogger on April 21, 2008, 04:46:21 PM
The Piettas have a bolt problem, but it has little or nothing to do with bolt timing. I have written a multi-page article with 60 photos for the Cowboy Chronicle explaining the problem, how to repair the cylinder, and how to correct the problem so it doesn't happen again. Should be out in a month or so. Giving Tex part 2 of the article Wednesday at Buffalo Stampede.

I'm looking forward to your article. I too have the same issue which until this moment I figured I was stuck with until I had the luxury of being able to afford to do something about it. Now, maybe not...

BP

Noz · April 22, 2008, 07:58:20 AM

Quote from: Pettifogger on April 21, 2008, 04:46:21 PM
The Piettas have a bolt problem, but it has little or nothing to do with bolt timing. I have written a multi-page article with 60 photos for the Cowboy Chronicle explaining the problem, how to repair the cylinder, and how to correct the problem so it doesn't happen again. Should be out in a month or so. Giving Tex part 2 of the article Wednesday at Buffalo Stampede.

Keep us posted. Please!

Fingers McGee · April 22, 2008, 11:29:47 AM

Good to hear about the upcoming article Pettifogger. Looking forward to it's publication.

FM

Dick Dastardly · April 22, 2008, 09:08:03 PM

Walt Kirst is makin' me up a pair of Kirst Konverter cylinders for my 60s. He'll also be supplying a a couple of his ejectors. I'm thinkn' that if they work out as well as the Kirst Konverters I've got for my ROAs, I'm just likely to sell the original C&B cylinders. If that's the case, I'll entertain a fair price and shipping for 'em.

I'll know as soon as I've shot a match with the new cylinders.

DD-DLoS