I did a dumb thing......

Knarley Bob · January 24, 2023, 09:04:10 AM

I went and bought a pair of brass frame C&B pistols.
Now I have two big hunks of worthless brass, and a bunch of parts.
Is there anyway to replace the frames with new steel ones? The pistols are .44 Piettas......

KB

Coffinmaker · January 24, 2023, 09:21:12 AM

Oh Knarley One

Hindsight is such a gift. First and foremost, there is nothing wrong with Brass Frame Cap Guns. Tune 'em up and shoot away. Just don't try and "magnumize" them or run 'em with cartridge conversions.

Other than that

In this instance, eBay is your friend. There are several "breakers" who sell the parts and major assemblies of Cap Guns on eBay. May take a week or two to get two, but they will come available.

People ARE hazardous to Yer Health

Lucky R. K. · January 24, 2023, 09:33:24 AM

I have a pair of brass framed Pietta's that work very well with about 20 grains of 2F and a 160 grain bullet. I also have conversion cylinders for them that also work well with about the same loading of Cowboy Special brass.
Lucky

Reverend P. Babcock Chase · January 24, 2023, 09:48:27 AM

Howdy Lucky,

I have a brass '51 with an ancient .38 S&W conversion cylinder. I have been working up a light 148 gr. wadcutter load to expand enough to shoot well. I'm close to done. The gun is remarkably accurate with a minimal load. Now I just have to get the oal just right for proper insertion into the chambers. I believe that you should not have a problem with moderate BP loads. Just enjoy the guns.

Rev. Chase

Earl Brasse · January 24, 2023, 06:09:55 PM

Just a couple thoughts on making lemonade out of those lemons...

Buy a set of new steel framed guns then cut the old barrels into "snubbies".
You will also end up with a pair of extra cylinders for reloads.
If you ever wanted a set of lowered hammers , here's your chance to experiment.
Plus the other spares.

Knarley Bob · January 25, 2023, 03:12:42 PM

Checked E-bay, holy cow, they know what they want for that stuff!! On the other hand, I guess I know what my stuff is worth, well kinda. Seeing as how I can't really hurt what I got, I think it's time to get creative.

Marshal Will Wingam · January 25, 2023, 05:14:12 PM

I don't understand why they are useless items. Is there a problem with them?

Knarley Bob · January 26, 2023, 09:17:50 AM

Quote from: Marshal Will Wingam on January 25, 2023, 05:14:12 PM
I don't understand why they are useless items. Is there a problem with them?

It has been a long time since I messed with them. And like a fish caught a long time ago tends to still grow, the problems with these pistols did also. They weren't nearly as bad as I remembered. One has been re-assembled into a functioning gun, and the other will be also, as soon as I find the parts I put somewhere where they won't get lost. So all is not lost, looking forward to getting them "dirty" again.

Coffinmaker · January 26, 2023, 09:18:44 AM

Hey Bob!!

You think eBay is expensive?? Trip on over to the VTI Web Site and price out a NEW frame (if they even sell one). The various parts breakdowns may well list the frame but I've never heard of anyone getting one from the Majors or VTI.

Play with your Brassies. They'll play just fine.

People ARE Hazardous to Yer Health

Coffinmaker · January 26, 2023, 09:23:14 AM

:)Knarley

And here I thought you were lamenting recent acquisition. A little judicious rubbin-n-buffin and the old brassies will run just fine.

People ARE hazardous to Yer Health

Marshal Will Wingam · January 26, 2023, 10:06:26 AM

Quote from: Knarley Bob on January 26, 2023, 09:17:50 AM

It has been a long time since I messed with them. And like a fish caught a long time ago tends to still grow, the problems with these pistols did also. They weren't nearly as bad as I remembered. One has been re-assembled into a functioning gun, and the other will be also, as soon as I find the parts I put somewhere where they won't get lost. So all is not lost, looking forward to getting them "dirty" again.

That sounds like a good plan. Post photos if you can.

Knarley Bob · February 14, 2023, 09:10:26 AM

Got one put back together, ordered "New guts" for the other. Meanwhile, the brass found it's way into the tumbler, and the steel got hit with some bluing. Gonna look like new when I get done.
Not too bad, a pair of "New" guns from the junk pile...........

Knarley Bob · February 25, 2023, 12:54:27 PM

Got the second one together, finally. The parts I ordered didn't fit, of course. But I endeavored to persevere.

What happened to begin with, the threads in the frame stripped, my fault. So, I drilled them out and re-tapped them. In the meantime, the parts got mixed up with other projects, or/and got misplaced. (I have a ghost in the basement who likes hiding things from me). The left-over parts from other guns got modified to work, and after 2 days of 'putzing' the pistol is in one piece and functional. My brother told me there are two types of people who work on guns, gunsmiths and idiots. Well, I don't claim to be a gunsmith that's for sure.

KB

Marshal Will Wingam · February 25, 2023, 03:02:59 PM

Glad to hear you got it working. Congrats.

You say you drilled out the stripped holes and re-tapped them. Did you use oversized screws or did you plug the holes and re-drill them?

Knarley Bob · February 25, 2023, 04:06:40 PM

I went with oversize hex cap screws. Now I use an Allen wrench on them.

Marshal Will Wingam · February 25, 2023, 06:08:25 PM

Thanks, I wondered about that.

Knarley Bob · February 25, 2023, 06:11:04 PM

One has to VERY careful when counter sinking the holes for the cap screws. Very careful.................

Knarley Bob · April 03, 2023, 02:50:49 PM

Back together...........