Cylinder rotating counter-clockwise

[ormond tony]

After cleaning my pietta 1858 remington texas .44 revolver, the internals (hammer, springs, trigger..), I notice that the cylinder will rotate clockwise when pulling the hammer to half-cock. But when I lower the hammer, the cylinder rotates back counter clockwise,, almost back to original position. Is this an issue with a spring or I didn't put the cylinder in the proper position when put it back together. Thanks for the help.

 

[Columbus]

Lower the hammer? From what position?

 

[45D]

The hand is in contact with the ratchet so when the hammer is lowered, the hand (since it mounts on the hammer) will pull the cylinder back with it. That's normal.
When lowering the hammer in one of the safety notches, hold the cylinder with your off hand.

Mike

 

[ormond tony]

Lower the hammer? From what position?

Lower it from half cock. Full cock release does not cause the cylinder to rotate counter clockwise.

 

[Gee Dog]

Personally, I don't try to lower the hammer from the half cock position. Maybe don't do that. When using a safety notch I don't take the hammer back as far as half cock. Bring it back far enough to drop the bolt and position cylinder with offhand (like Goon said).

 

[45D]

Personally, I don't try to lower the hammer from the half cock position. Maybe don't do that. When using a safety notch I don't take the hammer back as far as half cock. Bring it back far enough to drop the bolt and position cylinder with offhand (like Goon said).

Gotta be careful doing that, you'll put a "beauty ring" on your cylinder. Letting the hammer down from half cock won't hurt anything.

Mike

 

[Gee Dog]

Thanks .45, that' news to me. Been doing it wrong all my life. No rings yet on eight Piettas. If you say, though. I always pay attention to you.

 

[Cpt Flint]

Bringing the hammer to full cock before lowering it all the way down to a locking notch is elementary information. Any handler of single action revolvers learns this on day one.
To do otherwise is foolish. A revolver with the cylinder scored from lowering it from half cock is the mark of a fool.

 

[45D]

Thanks .45, that' news to me. Been doing it wrong all my life. No rings yet on eight Piettas. If you say, though. I always pay attention to you.

Gee Dog, I appreciate that!! Of course you know but a lot of folks will do that and won't pull the hammer back far enough for the bolt to clear the cylinder surface and mark it. Pulling the hammer to half cock is the only time it's "safe" for the off hand to turn the cylinder.

Bringing the hammer to full cock before lowering it all the way down to a locking notch is elementary information. Any handler of single action revolvers learns this on day one.
To do otherwise is foolish. A revolver with the cylinder scored from lowering it from half cock is the mark of a fool.

The only problem with that is the safety position on c&b revolvers ( as well as converted revolvers)is between chambers. Pulling the hammer to full cock advances the cylinder and of course locks it in battery. To engage the safety, the hammer has to be lowered from half cock while the cyl is held in position with the off hand. I agree with you as far as cartridge revolvers with Colt type actions. There again, with a safety notch, the trigger can be released to allow the hammer to rest in the safety position. Bolt reset should happen before the safety notch is engaged which will allow you to go back to half cock and rectify the situation- either unload or locate the empty chamber.

Mike

 

[Cpt Flint]

I was referring to Colt type revolvers and not to the oddballs.

 

[ormond tony]

Thanks for all the replies. I just assumed that when hammer is at full cock, the cylinder does not move (lock in). But in this case, the cylinder spins as freely as it does on half-cock. I don't think it's supposed to do that. Advice??

 

[Gee Dog]

No, bolt is still down. Probably not safe to shoot just now.

Have you checked that the short leg of the return spring is properly positioned on the back lip/shelf of the bolt? I'd start there. It's not hard to get that wrong.

What is the condition of the hammer cam?

 

[Jim]

Bringing the hammer to full cock before lowering it all the way down to a locking notch is elementary information. Any handler of single action revolvers learns this on day one.
To do otherwise is foolish. A revolver with the cylinder scored from lowering it from half cock is the mark of a fool.

Yup . . . .
When showing my SA’s to someone . . . .even a “seasoned” gunny . . . .I always show them how to handle a SA so I don’t get the cylinder stripe!
I’ve probably ticked off some of them by doing this, but . . .
So far, my SA’s have NO STRIPES!!

 

[Old Hawkeye]

Thanks for all the replies. I just assumed that when hammer is at full cock, the cylinder does not move (lock in). But in this case, the cylinder spins as freely as it does on half-cock. I don't think it's supposed to do that. Advice??

Something is broken or missing from your revolver. Without a personal inspection I can't be certain, but the first thing I would suspect is a broken bolt spring. At full cock your bolt should be engaged in the cylinder notch preventing any rotation of the cylinder.

 

[45D]

Wow, missed this "new" problem in the original post . . .

Mike

 

[ormond tony]

Sorry, Mike, it wasn't in the original post because the cylinder reverse rotation happened on half-cock so I never got to full until later in my discovery. I will take it a part like I did cleaning it and reset all the parts.

 

[Zulch]

Gee Dog, I appreciate that!! Of course you know but a lot of folks will do that and won't pull the hammer back far enough for the bolt to clear the cylinder surface and mark it. Pulling the hammer to half cock is the only time it's "safe" for the off hand to turn the cylinder.



The only problem with that is the safety position on c&b revolvers ( as well as converted revolvers)is between chambers. Pulling the hammer to full cock advances the cylinder and of course locks it in battery. To engage the safety, the hammer has to be lowered from half cock while the cyl is held in position with the off hand. I agree with you as far as cartridge revolvers with Colt type actions. There again, with a safety notch, the trigger can be released to allow the hammer to rest in the safety position. Bolt reset should happen before the safety notch is engaged which will allow you to go back to half cock and rectify the situation- either unload or locate the empty chamber.

Mike

Thank you Mike. I've always enjoyed reading your knowledgeable detailed posts and your civil demeanor in which you deliver them. Very "pleasant and respectful" non "high brow" they are. Thank you, Sincerely, Tim