My Pietta 1858 Went Walker

[Walkabout]

Went to shoot my Pietta 1858 loaded with 25 grs of 777 and the loading lever kept coming down. I looked at the notch where it catches and it's not a great fit. Also the screw that holds it in the receiver was a little loose. Do you think that was the issue? Thanks

 

[64Springer]

Go to a hardware store and buy and install a stiffer catch spring.

Very easy to do.

 

[ppg1949]

You may want to try a little lighter load. Hodgdon says 777 should be loaded 15% below your normal BP or Pyrodex load because of the difference in power. The only time I had a loading lever drop was when I had a defective powder flask lever spring that allowed the chambers to be over loaded.
Good luck.

 

[64Springer]

No load should cause that rammer to swing free.

It just needs a stronger spring.

Not a weaker load.

 

[Ed C.]

Check the fit in the notch. Maybe a little filing is in order?

 

[Walkabout]

You may want to try a little lighter load. Hodgdon says 777 should be loaded 15% below your normal BP or Pyrodex load because of the difference in power. The only time I had a loading lever drop was when I had a defective powder flask lever spring that allowed the chambers to be over loaded.
Good luck.

Tried 20 grs. Same thing.

 

[Stantheman86]

25gr of 777 is not that much

You could do the Easy Fix and just make the notch in the lever catch deeper

I've never had any gun besides a Walker or Dragoon drop a loading lever so it must really need some tweaking if an 1858 is doing that

 

[Gee Dog]

What he said. It’s not the load, it’s the latch.

 

[BBGun]

Went to shoot my Pietta 1858 loaded with 25 grs of 777 and the loading lever kept coming down. I looked at the notch where it catches and it's not a great fit. Also the screw that holds it in the receiver was a little loose. Do you think that was the issue? Thanks

Can you post a picture of the gun?

 

[Walkabout]

I filed down the notch a little and it's fitting more evenly. I also might try some JB Weld for better fitment.

 

[Timber Wolf]

I also might try some JB Weld for better fitment.

Easy now, I don’t think there is any call for using such foul language.

 

[M. De Land]

Went to shoot my Pietta 1858 loaded with 25 grs of 777 and the loading lever kept coming down. I looked at the notch where it catches and it's not a great fit. Also the screw that holds it in the receiver was a little loose. Do you think that was the issue? Thanks

I'd also check how tight the latch lug is in the barrel dovetail !

 

[Walkabout]

I'd also check how tight the latch lug is in the barrel dovetail !

The lug is secure, the notch was poorly cut.