Hammer marks on the backs of cylinders.

[His lordship.]

In the past I have owned a Euroarms 1851 colt replica, circa 1980.  A San Marco Arms 1847 Walker, circa 1983, and an EMF 1858 Remington, circa 1990.

One thing I noticed with the Colts in particular, was that the hammer would periodically fall on the back of the cylinder before it was lined up properly causing unsightly impact marks on the sides near the correct channel for it to go into upon impact with the cap.  While cleaning the guns I would see where the hammer was squashing the steel down on each side, the Remington was not as bad in this area as it uses a different frame design.

I attributed it to soft steel, and other than the appearance, the guns worked fine.  But, how was the hammer hitting the cylinder off center like that if it seemed to be timed ok, was it the soot build up that was causing the binding?  Why would a revolver allow itself to let the hammer down when the cylinder was so out of line?  I don't recall any other problems in this area, although the Walker had such a massive cylinder that it had to be turned with my other hand after awhile as the soot would bind it up if left uncleaned.  I used Crisco grease as a cylinder plug to prevent flash fires, and it made the gun easy to clean and lubed the action of the cylinder quite well.

Anyone else have an impact problem like I had?  I am thinking of getting back into cap and ball revolvers, but oh, those unsightly impact marks! :?

Thanks.

[Will52100]

The only thing that comes to mind is that the cylinder isn't locked up completely till the hammer hits and it makes the cylinder lock up and bust the cap and fire the gun.  The only thing I can think of that would cause that type situation is not bringing the hammer fully to the rear till it stops.

I've never had that problem with any of my colts, from the walker to the 51' navies.  I have one rite now that I need to eigther lengthen the hand or get a new one as it takes a bit of hammer over travel to make the cylinder lock up.  Not realy a problem, just leaves a little longer wear mark on the lead in ramp on the cylinder and have to remember to pull the hammer fully to the rear and feel the lock up.

I did have a piece of crap Pietta that when fired the cylinder would come unlocked and turn slightly and chewed up the locking notches.  Bore was in line with the chamber and tried a new cylinder and bolt and this and that and finaly gave up on it as fit and finish were horible to start with.  Then again anouther Pietta I have is the best shooter I've got so I guess I just got a bad one.

Every cap gun I've got has had to be worked on a little, but mostly just changing nipples and I've had the best luck with Uberti's.

[Shorty]

Will is right.  Never having experienced this problem, I played with one of my Colts to see how that could happen.  Sure enough,  one CAN bring the hammer back to full cock and still have that last smidgeon of travel that locks the cylinder bolt.  Pulling the trigger then drops the hammer off-center.