Cap an Ball Pistol Issue

[Mongo40]

I've got an old Hawes cap an ball, shoots great but has a small mechanical issue, when pulling the hammer back the bolt drops then immediately comes back up an drags on the cylinder, leaving a nice shiny mark all around the circumference. Also does not allow it to be rotated while at half cock so loading is tricky unless you remove the cylinder. Can someone that has played with these tell me how to fix this. Thanks.
Chris

 

[desi23]

The inner leg of the bolt rides on the cam on the hammer. It is supposed to stay there until the hammer cam rises up after passing the halfcock position and releases it. Due to a worn bolt or cam or both, yours is releasing before it gets to the right point. Usually I try replacing the bolt first (it will need some fitting) though if the cam appears very worn I will go ahead and replace it too (which normally means replacing the hammer.

There are several good books on single action mechanics if you want to do it yourself. An internet search for tuning SA revolvers might also pull up some guides to help you do it.

 

[crockett]

Exactly, you can buy a replacement bolt and the legs can be moved a bit to alter when the leg slides off the cam- which causes the bolt to pop up. The cam is pretty substantial- usually the trouble is the leg on the bolt.

 

[Mongo40]

Thanks guys, where would be a good place to purchase a replacement bolt?

 

[George T.]

It may take some doing to find the part you need. I would start with Dixie Gun Works. Geo. T.

 

[desi23]

I second Dixie Gun Works. Have bought a lot of parts off them over the years. If they were out you could try Numrich (GunPartsCo out of new york state) as they stock some Uberti parts. Shouldn't be too hard to find a bolt.

 

[swathdiver]

Wasn't Hawes an importer like Navy Arms?

Pietta, Armi San Marco and Uberti are the likely makers and generally speaking, any replacement part can be hand fitted to work in your gun.