I was given a top break revolver a few weeks ago. It's black powder obviously. The problem is the cylinder doesn't rotate every time the trigger is pulled. Sometimes once or twice but then is will only go halfway a couple times then go all the way to next chamber. I had it in to Bass Pro and the GS can't take the side plate off because the screw is frozen in place. Does anybody know a solution to removing the screw. He said he soaked it but didn't help and didn't want to break the screw. I would appreciate any ideas.
1884 Revolver Issue
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First, I'd try an actual established gunsmith. Preferably one with experience with restoration. Maybe some authority here can suggest such a person. I've grave doubts the guy at Bass Pro is a trained pro-although he might be.
In the meantime, lay it on a bench top and soak the screw with Kroil* over several days. The guy does have a point about being wary of breaking the screw. Sometimes an attempt to tighten before trying to back it out helps, but great care in needed with such an item.
*You may cringe over the price, I did, but it's worth it.
In the meantime, lay it on a bench top and soak the screw with Kroil* over several days. The guy does have a point about being wary of breaking the screw. Sometimes an attempt to tighten before trying to back it out helps, but great care in needed with such an item.
*You may cringe over the price, I did, but it's worth it.
mmaher94087
SWCA Member
X2 on WR Moore's comment. A properly fitted hollow ground screwdriver is a must. A true gunsmith with this old revolver experience is a help.
I had a belated thought, recalling an old time method of loosening fasteners I picked up in one of the Brownell's Gunsmith Kinks books.
Heat has often been used to help release stuck fasteners. The old timey method was to use a candle to provide the heat. There's also a claim that wax molecules from the vapor help lube the fasteners. I actually used this once to loosen a set screw installed in an aluminum pulley. The thought of using a propane torch seemed overkill and might possibly have damaged the pulley.
Heat has often been used to help release stuck fasteners. The old timey method was to use a candle to provide the heat. There's also a claim that wax molecules from the vapor help lube the fasteners. I actually used this once to loosen a set screw installed in an aluminum pulley. The thought of using a propane torch seemed overkill and might possibly have damaged the pulley.
If you have a soldering iron with a CLEAN tip use it as a heat source on the screw. FWIW
I thought about that but never did it. I dropped the gun at a new GS today who says he has repaired these guns before. Even says he uses Jackes First parts which will be needing fitting. He seems to think the issue is the trigger spring. Going to be a few weeks.
Yendor357
Member
Jack First parts…… it’s like a box of chocolates.
mmaher94087
SWCA Member
Probably too late now as the gun is at the GS. Point the unloaded gun up and pull the trigger. Does the cylinder move or try to move? Next, point the revolver down. Does the cylinder revolve? The answer will determine if the hand or handspring needs replacing. The side plate screw is often difficult to remove but it needs to get out of the way in order to repair this revolver. keep soaking.
One thing the GS did was to prove the spring is the issue was he cocked the hammer moving the cylinder and the trigger would move but if the next time doing the same thing the trigger wouldn't move back. I hadn't
noticed this before.
noticed this before.
