Plains Pistol Barrel Wedge

[Walkabout]

The barrel wedge on my Lyman Plains Pistol is loose. Maybe I can order a new one or maybe build up the thickness with JB Weld or something. What do you think? Thanks

 

[M. De Land]

The barrel wedge on my Lyman Plains Pistol is loose. Maybe I can order a new one or maybe build up the thickness with JB Weld or something. What do you think? Thanks

Just put the key between two blocks of steel and use a punch or in a heavy vice and bend it a bit in the middle. Go slow and keep fitting to the slot until tight . It usually only takes just a bit of bend to snug barrel and stock fit.
If the looseness is from loose barrel staples then they will need resetting before any key bending is done which may be the real cause of the loose barrel tenon key.
I always prefer staples to dovetail cut outs and tenons as they leave the barrel stiffer and hold very well if properly seated and peened in place. Some even solder them in after peening I'm told.

 

[bang]

What he said.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Another option is to lay a socket sideways across the underlug and give it a tap with a hammer to tighten it. Do it gently so it doesn’t break.

 

[pwbsmokey]

Put the wedge in a vice and give it a few taps with a hammer to put a slight bend in it