61 Navy fell apart. (literally)

[shortstart]

A few years back, I had a Armi SanMarcos 61 Navy that shot very well. Until the front sight fell off. Made a new one (taller). Shot great. One day instead of going bang, it went click. Upon looking, the barrel cylinder assembly was literally hanging on by a thread. The cylinder pin had pulled almost completely out of the frame. Very shallow threads in the frame and almost no threads on base pin. I tried JB weld, and many other brands of Epoxys with no success. I considered a helicoil but they are pretty expensive and that wouldn't work with the stripped base pin. I am thinking about trying accuglass from Brownell's and then drilling under the hammer and inserting some sort of steel pin down through the frame and the base pin. Probably a really dumb idea huh. Next stop the junk bin. Any ideas greatly appreciated!!

 

[Robert Egler]

I understand wanting to salvage it, but personally, I'd junk it. Or if you 'fixed' it, I'd use it as a decoration rather than a working gun.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Epoxy and set screw through the frame... Keep fingers crossed. :hmm:

 

[necchi]

Brass or Steel frame?
If it's brass, I'd fix it to stay together as a wall hanger,
No more shooting it,,

 

[bangfxr]

I agree with the others I'd fix it and put in a show case and NOT shoot it again. That is the safe thing to for not only your self but others near by as well. I know what its like to loose a good shooter but safety must be paramount.

 

[garandman]

As I read that, I was kinda thanking the One Who Shall Not Be Mentioned the gun ddin't fire.

Retire that gun.

 

[cynthialee]

I'd pirate the salvable stuff for parts and chuck it.

 

[shortstart]

It's such a purty thing, but, retired she is!
Thanks for confirming my original thoughts guys.
(and gal)

 

[Leatherbark]

If it is a steel frame you can pin it and weld the cylinder pin where it exits the frame at the rear.

Bob

 

[swathdiver]

Why not get a new arbor from VTI or Deer Creek? Then you could re-tap the threads or do a heli-coil and be back to shooting.

 

[garandman]

Why not get a new arbor from VTI or Deer Creek? Then you could re-tap the threads or do a heli-coil and be back to shooting.

Even a cursory reading of his post will reveal he already addressed that.

RIF :wink:

 

[Dphar]

A few years back, I had a Armi SanMarcos 61 Navy that shot very well. Until the front sight fell off. Made a new one (taller). Shot great. One day instead of going bang, it went click. Upon looking, the barrel cylinder assembly was literally hanging on by a thread. The cylinder pin had pulled almost completely out of the frame. Very shallow threads in the frame and almost no threads on base pin. I tried JB weld, and many other brands of Epoxys with no success. I considered a helicoil but they are pretty expensive and that wouldn't work with the stripped base pin. I am thinking about trying accuglass from Brownell's and then drilling under the hammer and inserting some sort of steel pin down through the frame and the base pin. Probably a really dumb idea huh. Next stop the junk bin. Any ideas greatly appreciated!!

ASM would not be my first choice for a revolver.
The time spent trying to fix it is wasted.
Consider it a learning experience.
If you want another one buy from http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/BlkPowder/BlkPowderOpener.htm
You will likely have better luck.
Dan
Dan

 

[swathdiver]

Nowhere near as bright as you it seems. Could you point what I missed please?

 

[bob308]

not that hard of a repair if you have a lathe and know how to us it.

 

[garandman]

Like the part where you sugegst he do a helicoil, when he already said a helicoil is too expensive.....


RIF.

 

[bob308]

i saw that and it made me wonder if it was cheaper to throw the gun away and buy a new one. i did not think heilcoils were that expesive.

 

[garandman]

Given these guns run about $250, my own judgment is that once they blow apart, I'll just buy another one. Others mileage may vary.... :v

 

[swathdiver]

Guess RIF if it is. I was focused on the arbor being the main issue, heli coils have gone up that much? Bout twenty years ago they were $60 for a Craftsman kit, suppose one could buy a single bit, even used, for much less.

If the OP decides to sell it, might make for a nice little project gun.

 

[bob308]

that is what i was thinking the last coil kit i bought was like $25 got the tap some coils instalation tool. so $25 compaired to $250 for a new gun.

 

[asbrown]

:thumbsup: I agree wholeheartedly. Save the useable parts even if you don't think you'll ever use them yourself. Someday you may need to trade them for something you need. Or a brother in arms may really need them in the future. I'm just one of those people who can't just put a gun on the wall and look at it. If it don't shoot, it's worthless to me.