Needed: Arizona gunsmith for '66 Yellowboy

[RRio]

I need a gunsmith in Arizona to replace the spoon (loading gate) on a 2002 Taylors 1866 Yellowboy. Any recommendations?

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy Rio,

I have had a loading gate tab (spoon, ladle, etc.) fail on one of my 66's. They can easily be replace by the owner; however, you might want to have the tab on your loading gate reinforced before it's installed. They are notorious for breaking. My other 66 has a no longer available reinforced aftermarket gate and it seems to be holding up well.

Rev. Chase

[RRio]

Can I take the side plates off without backing off on the elevator screws? 

[Abilene]

You can but it is more difficult, since those springs put pressure on the lever screw which goes through the side plate.  I'm guessing they are stuck or stripped and that's why you can't get it open.  One of these comes in very handy, especially with Ubertis!
https://www.northerntool.com/products/titan-1-4in-impact-driver-set-7-pc-model-80657

[RRio]

You can but it is more difficult, since those springs put pressure on the lever screw which goes through the side plate.  I'm guessing they are stuck or stripped and that's why you can't get it open.  One of these comes in very handy, especially with Ubertis!
https://www.northerntool.com/products/titan-1-4in-impact-driver-set-7-pc-model-80657

Yep. Bought in 2002 and it's been a safe queen most of the time. Figured it was time it started earning it's keep, but I want to re-enforce the tab on the ladle before it goes out. I'll order me one of those. You can't have too many gunsmithing tools, ya know.  Thank you kindly, Abilene !   

[Abilene]

As I mentioned elsewhere, your gun may be old enough to have the original bulletproof tab.  You can see it if you raise the carrier and look at it from underneath.  If it looks like this, you are good to go!

[RRio]

As I mentioned elsewhere, your gun may be old enough to have the original bulletproof tab.  You can see it if you raise the carrier and look at it from underneath.  If it looks like this, you are good to go!

Abilene, the S/N is 92XXX, so maybe I'm okay.?

[Abilene]

Probably.  Just look at it through the action from underneath, as I mentioned.  The front of the ladle and the tab is visible.  No need to disassemble.

[Abilene]

Like so: (mine has a bit of patina  )

[RRio]

Yeah, mine don't look like that. From what I can see, it looks like a tab of metal bent back from the ladle.
Here's why I was asking if I could take that side plate off with out loosening the elevator tension screws:

[Abilene]

Well dang, I guess you got one of the first of the "new" ones.  My s/n from 2000 is 81xxx.  You definitely want to reinforce the tab.  Don't know if an impact driver will get those screws loose or not, might need drilling.  But if you are able to get the sideplates off, prying the springs out sideways until the ends pop down outside the receiver will take off some of the tension and maybe can get the screws out then (and replace, of course).  Good luck! 

[Abilene]

Are you close to Phoenix?  Several good ones mentioned on the SASS Wire.  Palo Verde is another, in Scottsdale.  https://pvgunworks.com

[RRio]

Fixed it myself! With some advice from friends and Jed from JED iTV.
I was able to take the side plate with the ladle off, with no problems by partially unscrewing two on the side plate enough to let it fall off, I cleaned the area on the spoon itself and build enforcement with copious almount of JB weld. It should last a lifetime. So thanks for the help everybody, EXCEPT Taylors and Co. (you guys lost a customer permanently  ).

[Abilene]

Excellent!  I like hearing success stories, especially DIY.

[RRio]

Excellent!  I like hearing success stories, especially DIY.

It was the bad type ladle. While I was in there, I was able to douse those elevator with a dose of Kroil oil, so when I get my back-outs, impact driver, and replacement screws (hardened), I'll be able to fix it proper.
Working on the SAAs and tuning them does not worry me, but I was a little intimated with the rifle.

[Coffinmaker]

RRio 

I didn't look at your thread sooner as you were "just" looking for an Arizona gunsmith.  Visited this morning.

To reiterate what Abilene shared, the screws to your Lever Side Springs look to have been really abused.  Remove BOTH side plates, pull (turn) both side springs out of the frame and the screws should be much easier to remove.  Once the springs are out, you need to re-shape the back of the spring boss to match the curve of the frame so the springs don't "cock" and seize the threads again.

[RRio]

Thanks, Coffinmaker. 

[DeaconKC]

Boomstick Jay in Texas just did some work on my 66 and it was first rate!