new hand in 1851 navy

[hounddog]

Gents, I had broken a hand spring in my 1851 navy colt. I put in a new hand today. the cyl over rotates abou6t one half of the nipple slot, but when you lower the hammer the slot kicks back into almost perefectl alignment. My question is do I need to file or stone the hand a little shorter or should I just leave it alone. I have had several revolvers and none of them over rotated that includes my 58 rem tha I also currently own. your comments and advice is solicited yours hounddog

 

[Zonie]

The new hands almost always have a little extra material on the end of them so they can be fitted to each individual gun.

Stone the end of the hand a little and try it again.
It may take several trys to get it right but that is better than taking too much off with one major attack and finding out that the hand is now too short.

 

[Adui]

I had this happen years ago with my 1861 navy. I didn't know to stone the new hand, and it simply did not fit at all without work, so I worked the clasp point loose and used the spring on the new hand in my old one. Haven't had a problem with it in 20 years and while I also haven't fired it in at least 6 years, (until last weekend anyhow) I do take it out and work the action quite a lot, as well as maintain the weapon.

 

[aeatwood]

You can also do a search on the 'net and look for coil hand spring. You can drill a hole in the rear edge of the fram and put in a Ruger spring and follower, and have a coil hand spring just like da ROA's. It is not the same plunger, the one I saw recommended a plunger of some fashion from a Security Six.

Not HC, but it solves the problem forever.

 

[smokeum54]

if you want to fix your old one, it never hurts to have a spare, this is what i did.

its just a spring clip off a pen and it works great.

 

[Zonie]

I've heard of folks also using one of their wives bobby pins for spring material to replace broken hand springs.
(The British call these "hair grips" or Kirby Grips.)

 

[hounddog]

Gents, I thought I better report in, after finally getting up the nerve to stone I commenced, I used my arkansas stone and brylcreamed the hand( You know just a little dab will do it) On the third try it fell into place just right, no over travel and locks up as tight as a old maid drawers, I am stopping now, thanks to all for your sage advise and help yours hounddog

 

[Zonie]

I knew you could do it. :thumbsup:

 

[CaptainKirk]

I've done the bobby pin trick as a temporary fix, and they have all outlasted the originals! Only problem is they are thinner and don't fit the hand slot so well; a drop of plumber's solder fixes that right up.

 

[Musketeer]

its just a spring clip off a pen and it works great.

I really like that idea. :bow: