It is not a S&W but an Uberti Colt SAA clone and I somehow have developed a rough spot on the cylinder base pin. It is the lighter colored spot on the last raised raised rib on the right. It prevents the pin from seating properly.

What should I use to smooth it out? Sandpaper? What grit? Something else?

As you can tell from my question I am not what you would call "handy" and any help is gratefully appreciated.

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Sandpaper would do it, but the finish will be gone. You'll need some cold blue if you want to touch it up.

The courser the grit, the quicker the steel will be removed. Once it's gone, you can't put it back. I'd be tempted to chuck it in a drill and give it a spin or two on slow with something like 1000 grit.

If it were a dent or something, you could just dress it down with a stone.

Thank you Jason

I've found that my base pin (cimarron) works easier with the revolver laying on the topstrap for cyl assm/removal....also clean cyl hole for base pin good....if it's new,it will take some time before its easy..if you have to polish it, I'd use scotchbrite, carefully (try not to) if possible......oil the base pin for assembly...IMHO

BEFORE sanding anything, make SURE the hole and detent are clean and lubricated! It doesn't take much to make a Base Pin difficult to remove and reassemble! Also if it does need some minor sanding, GO SLOW! Metal can not be put back and more often than not, less is more. The area that is hanging up will not be seen except when the Pin is removed so bluing loss will be covered.

sjs, IMHO, your base pins looks fine to me (and I have a few of single action guns). I too have several that require me to really 'force' (hate to use that word) them into position, but I do, indeed force them in. Those guns have functioned fine for years. Yes, the cross-pin latch on mine are often too tight and need disassembly and cleaning. Two pieces of info for you:
1) I have "polished-out" some of my pins (back in the old days when I was motivated). I just put them in my drill press and held some abrasive paper around them while they spun. I never worry about removing the 'finish' because the finish gets removed by using the gun (IMHO).

2) For $9.95 plus shipping, you can buy another (exact same) pin from
Taylors Firearms when they are back in stock:

#21 - U0400021 Cylinder Pin With Two Notches For Manual Safety
$9.25
SKU: PAR/U0400021
Stock: Out of stock

p.s. To show that base/cyl pins are often VERY tight, Brownells (used to sell and maybe still does?) offer a 'base pin removal tool' to get those pesky pins out without scratching your valuable Colts... I made my own by taking a stiff piece of metal (out of an old feeler guage) and simply ground out the little curve that is necessary to grip the grooves at the outside of the pin.

Hope this helps,
J.

I can’t really make out the problem from your photo. If it’s just a spot of corrosion, hit it with 0000 steel or brass wool and some oil. If it’s a high spot, try gently tapping it down with a hammer.

As mentioned above, you can get a new one from Taylor’s and Company for $9.25. I bought some OEM Uberti parts from them and was impressed. They ship quickly and their prices are less than 1/2 what Numrich charges.

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