Pietta Problem

[APG]

OP, if you don't have the ability to re solder the latch, then I suggest that you clean it up with solvent and use JB weld on it. I have done a few of those over the years and they are still working fine. (and I shoot them, they are not wall hangers)

The JB Weld is dying right now. I've used that stuff on the front sight and it's holding fast.

 

[APG]

Ta-da!! Decided to JB weld it.

 

[johnfrommd]

Good for you. If you can put a light bulb over it overnight, it will shorten the cure time.

 

[JamesA]

my local Dick's Field & Stream was blowing out the remainder of those cylinder loading stands for $9.99 apiece

I have been subject to the curse, wrong place, wrong time all my life. I had to order mine.

 

[JamesA]

Ta-da!! Decided to JB weld it.

I did some research from your original post and a couple replies. I had no idea that front sight screwed in. Never too old to learn. The JB Weld job looks good. I hope it works for you, it's certainly cheaper than replacing it.

 

[Bad Karma]

Neither the loading lever latch not the front sight on Pietta Remingtons are mechanically attached to the barrel. The latch and sight both have flat bottoms that fit into a flat bottomed slight recess in the barrel. I honestly have no idea how they are attached at the factory but I suspect they may be soldered in place. My only experience with one was on a Pietta I had bought my wife. The latch popped off and the recess in the barrel showed the same blue as the barrel which made me think it had never been properly attached, possibly only pressed into the recess. By the time this happened the revolver had been completely reworked and would be out of warranty not that that was a consideration given the rework. The nationals were only a few days off and my wife couldn't shoot the team and individual matches with the gun in that condition. I called Taylors and neither of us could make it there when they were open but Sue said she would be there at 6:00 AM loading guns and parts to take to the suttlers and I could come by. She didn't have a Uberti Remington latch but did have one for a 60 Army so I got that and a friend installed it. It really didn't look out of place and worked fine.

Epoxy may work for the sight but it won't last for the latch, too much pressure on it. I would suggest buying the latch, as well as the front sight, for a Uberti and dovetailing them in place. That's a permanent repair and you'll also have a windage adjustable front sight. Attempting to silver solder or braze it in place will ruin the barrel. Soft solder might work but I wouldn't depend on it long term myself.

Why would silver solder ruin the barrel? One of my 1862 Police pistols had the front sight silver soldered in place. It shot just fine before and after. Curious about what could have gone wrong?

 

[Dude]

Why would silver solder ruin the barrel?

He must be concerned about the heat required. Lead solder melts at 350 to about 650F. Silver solder is around 1250 to 1500F. I think there are lower grades of silver solder (more zinc) that melt at lower temps.

 

[johnfrommd]

He must be concerned about the heat required. Lead solder melts at 350 to about 650F. Silver solder is around 1250 to 1500F. I think there are lower grades of silver solder (more zinc) that melt at lower temps.

I would say that Dude is probably correct. The repro revolvers are made of very soft metal and probably won't appreciate too much heating without using heat sinks and pin pointing the heat exactly where you need it. As for the epoxy not working, it will if you rough up the metal on the base of the latch and the barrel so the epoxy has a surface to latch onto.

I have also had to epoxy the screw holding the ejector housing on an 1873 Colt due to poor thread cutting and it is holding well through thousands of rounds that I have fired through it.