Cylinder base pin crawl

[P.A. Myers]

A friend has an Uberti Cattleman in 38/357 that has a problem with the base pin creeping out when firing 357s. 38s dont do it. It has been to the gunsmith for a pin 'fix' but it still crawls out. The pin appears to be normal, with no damage. If it were mine, I would go with a set screw that would fit into a slot cut into the pin. Is there something else less intrusive that will work?

[Lloyd Smale]

Look in brownells they sell a extra power spring for the cross pin. At least they do for rugers. Im not sure about ubertis. Ive put them in rugers and its helped.

[Tom C.]

+1 for the Wolff cylinder base pin lock spring. I put one in all my Rugers. Don't know about Uberti.

[Autorim]

The first thing I check is to be sure that the base pin is securely latched before shooting. Most of my Rugers have the extra strength spring. I have never had this problem even with factory springs as long as the pin was secure before shooting.

[P.A. Myers]

Will definately find a heavier spring. Since the base pin crawls undamaged, the crossbolt must be backing off. Thanks

[Hank08]

3 things, the locking bolt needs to be tightened, a stronger spring installed,  The notch in the cylinder pin needs to be opened up so the locking bolt can lock it.  This last one is ,sometimes ,all you need to do.
H08

[Flint]

Sometimes found is the hole in the frame the crossbolt fits into is mis-located by a bit and the bolt can't properly lock the cylinder arbor in place.  Study the fit, you might remove material from the groove in the cylinder pin, or from the crossbolt.  Check for burrs.  As others suggest, a stronger spring may solve it.

If it is the "newer" Uberti with the long, double grooved cylinder pin safety device, the hammer striking the rear of the cylinder pin in the safety position can damage the crossbolt.

[P.A. Myers]

The pin groove was aligned and widened already, didn't seem to help. I am not sure what locking bolt would I tighten. Definitly a stronger spring is in order.

[jimster]

Wolff makes a cylinder latch spring for a Colt or replica, it is a lot stiffer.  If everything else is in order, this would probably solve your problem.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=337852

[gcrank1]

Aligned and widened already......and did that improve it or not? The rear relief of the groove may have too much radius which is allowing the latch pin not the keep from working 'up the ramp' in recoil. Ideally it will be more 'squared off' than tapered (radiused) which will let the pin stay in and down.

[P.A. Myers]

I think the groove is OK . A Wolff spring is on the way [thanks jimster] from midway. Report to follow.

[Frank V]

Belt Mountain offers a base pin with a set screw in the base pin it'self. It tightens against the underside of the bbl. That should do it. I've had them come out when the spring worked loose & flew off in different directions. I fixed it long enough to get through the day by puting four wraps of electritians tape around the base pin & bbl. It got me through the day till I could get another latch.
Frank

[P.A. Myers]

A base pin with a set screw in the base pin, Belt Mountian has some very interesting stuff for the SAA. Thanks FrankV.

New problem: My friend was shooting this Cattleman yesterday [5/3] and the ejector assembly fell off. The front screw broke. This Uberti is falling apart faster than I can repair it.

Update: I went to VTI for the ejector screw and found they offer the original or a hardened unit. I got the hardened unit. This must be a common occurance.