1858 Remington cylinder bolt lockup

[1stnamebassist]

So I have a 1858 navy made by Pietta. Actually I have two but the other one is fine. The cylinder bolt started rising and locking up the cylinder at half cock! I took it apart to clean it, but I can’t believe that would cause that to happen.
It always seem to come up a bit early because it had a line around the cylinder from the bolt. But it was faint and not deep at all. Any ideas how to fix this? Besides sanding and filing a new one and constant fitting! I have spare parts but they are not even close to being able to fit. I’m sure I could work on it and get it right, I’m just not super patient (just ask my wife)! So any other ideas or is this cylinder bolt or doohicky on the hammer too far gone and need to be replaced? Maybe a new hammer with the old cylinder bolt? Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[hawkeye2]

The tail of the bolt is probably slipping over the cam on the hammer. This could be caused by a worn cam or bolt leg. Quite likely the fix is to replace one or the other or both.

 

[1stnamebassist]

The tail of the bolt is probably slipping over the cam on the hammer. This could be caused by a worn cam or bolt leg. Quite likely the fix is to replace one or the other or both.

That’s what I was figuring. I have both parts it’s just a matter of patiently sitting and hand fitting. Th as nks for the reply!

 

[CaptainKirk]

It's wear on both the hammer cam and bolt leg. Easy fix is install a new hammer and bolt. I've done it myself and it's both easy and inexpensive.

 

[deerstalkert]

be kind to the cylinder and polish the dickens out of the sides of the bolt and make sure the edges and the edges only are polished and radiused. I hate turn rings and have about 100 shots out of my 58 and no sign of the dreaded ring.

 

[1stnamebassist]

It's wear on both the hammer cam and bolt leg. Easy fix is install a new hammer and bolt. I've done it myself and it's both easy and inexpensive.

Thanks! I have the parts, but the bolt has quite a bit More material on it than the original. It’s going to require a lot of material removal and reshaping.

 

[D Yager]

Maybe try adding a little bit of tension to the left bolt leg. If the cam doesn't show wear you can bend the bolt leg slightly so it will follow the outer edge of the cam rather then slip off halfway. One can also make a groove around the outside of the cam so the bolt leg will track the outer part of the cam.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Maybe try adding a little bit of tension to the left bolt leg. If the cam doesn't show wear you can bend the bolt leg slightly so it will follow the outer edge of the cam rather then slip off halfway. One can also make a groove around the outside of the cam so the bolt leg will track the outer part of the cam.

Well thank you for that suggestion! I just tore the gun down, put a slight bend on the arm of the bolt as you said, put it all back together, and it’s working fine now! That was an easy fix! Much appreciated!

 

[D Yager]

Happy to help!