Trouble with 1851 Colt Navy..any advice.

[rommel]

Just go my new Pietta 1851 Colt Navy.  Up till now I have only had the Remingtons.
Wanted to strip the gun to clean off all the packing oil and can't seem to get the wedge to budge.  I have tapped it and banged on it to the point of marking the side of my new piece.  Before I break or ruin a new gun, does any one have any advice or tips that can help me out?
Any tricks to it, or is there something i am doing wrong?

All help is appreciated.

Paul

[Bigdog57]

I got mine a couple months ago, and had the same problem.  The spring catch is much stiffer than on my older guns.  I used a large brass punch, and had to tap harder than I was used to, making sure to push the spring down.  It's a bugger to get back in too, again that stiff spring!  Hopefully, it'll loosen up a bit as I work with it more.

[ribbonstone]

Have to go with birdog57 on this..htere is a little flat spring on the bottom of the wdge (runs dwon the length of the wedge). It has a little "teat" sticking out (on the bottom) of the left side.  Is SUPOSE to be somewhat inclined so that it compresses as it slips out of frame, but some of them are (1) stiff   and  (2) the little taper isn't there so they just dig in rather than incline and compress the spring.

With the gun turned upside down, press that wedge in with a small punch (or a dull knife blade) then tap the wedge.

Is alos possible that some Italian Bubba drove it in like it was a 10 penny nail...a bit of penetrating oil and  a well fitted brass drift would cure that.

Also possible taht something (congealed oil..steel shaving...dead bug...wahtever) got UNDER the spring and is keeping it from compressing to release the wedge. Again, the only real cure is lots of penetrating oil, time, and a well fitted brass drift.

[filmokentucky]

Guys-if the spring is on the bottom of the wedge, then the wedge is in there upside down. That would make it very hard to push the wedge out.
You shouldn't have to remove the wedge retaining screw to push the wedge out--the spring forms a groove that the screw head runs in. If the wedge is in upside down, the screw will have to be removed first and the wedge removed and turned over. Then all will be well in the world of Coltdom.

[Rodeo Rustler]

I had the same problem with my 51 Pietta.  The first time I tried to take it apart I couldn't budge the wedge.  I finally got it out with a brass hammer and punch.  Just loosen the screw and smack that puppy out...it'll loosen up a good amount over time.  Oh, and the spring is on the top of the wedge.  Good luck.

RR