Author Topic: Colt '51? (Read 1045 times)

22rimfan · « **on:** October 08, 2005, 08:01:40 AM »

Hey all. I have a quick question. If a guy, like me, was to somehow break the wedge on his '51 Navy, where could he get another? I was driving my wedge out and layed it down on the table beside me when the little bent piece of metal poped off, the piece that fits in the channel that runs along the middle of the wedge, and now the cylinders won't line up. I guess me loosing that little piece of metal threw the whole thing out of line. Thanks for your help.
Aaron

Don45 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2005, 10:22:43 AM »

Hello

One of the best places to get parts is VTI Replica Gun Parts http://www.vtigunparts.com/
I have used them a couple of times and they have been very friendly and helpful and the prices are not too bad also.
Hope this helps.

Don

Shorty · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2005, 01:35:45 PM »

22rimfan,
That "little bent piece" has one and only one purpose. It catches on the screw head which keeps the wedge from coming all the way out and getting lost. The wedge should perform its purpose even without the spring. You have some other problem.

22rimfan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2005, 06:23:04 PM »

Don, thanks for the link. That's just the stuff I am looking for.

Shorty,
The problem only started when the spring broke, which led me to believe that this was the cause. Before the peice broke the Navy worked well. Maybe I'm not putting the wedge in far enough, too far?? It is a Cabelas model, cannot remmeber the maker. The wedge always just stopped before and it looked to stop at the same place after the piece broke. I'm new to cap and ball and I'm trying to learn all I can. I was also having a problem of getting light strikes from the hammer. It wouldn't set off the primer. I was going to get new nipples and possibly a stouter spring to fix this. Hum new things to look for... Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Aaron

Potato Frizz · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2005, 08:24:05 AM »

Regularly, Cabela's Cap & Ball revolvers are manufactured by Pietta, Italy.

A broken wedge-spring shouldn't prevent the wedge to do it's duty, you might have some obstructions within the barrel wedge-slot and the arbor (cylinder-pin). The wedge should be driven in only as far as to allow the cylinder rotating at hammer half-cock with just a little resistance.

Sometimes it is not a light hammer blow (weak main spring), but caps thet are not seated totally on the shoulder of the nipple. If you have no ignition, just try it a second time. If it goes off, the first hammer-blow just seated the cap fully.

A heavier main spring will also rise the the force you have to apply for squeeging the trigger.

Be careful! This cap'n ball thing is addictive!

wile326 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 16, 2005, 12:27:11 PM »

dixie Gun Works is another good source of parts.

www.dixiegunworks.com

Flint · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2005, 07:28:45 AM »

Try changing to Treso nipples, use Remington caps, and make sure there's no cap debris between the hammeer and the frame. Uberti's mainsprings are generally strong enough to pop a cap.

The wedge should seat to a point where the spring's catch just snaps up on the right edge of the barrel lug's opening. Farther in can bind up the cylinder, and too loose opens up the endshake too much, and could cause the misfires you're getting.

Try VTIgunparts, make sure of the brand before ordering, Uberti or Pietta. Extra wedges is always a good addition to your gunbox, as are all the springs, especially the hand and trigger/bolt springs.