Stuck Cylinder on 1860 Colt reproduction

[shooter13]

Help! I need advice on how to get a cylinder off a Navy Arms 1860 Colt that was shot last in the 1990's and never cleaned. I am soaking it in penetrating oil but hoping for some good advice on how to get the blasted thing broke free. The pistol is an heirloom of an acquaintance and all I want to do is get it working for her.

 

[Sharps1863]

Is the barrel assembly still on the revolver or have you removed it and the cylinder just wont slide off.If you have the barrel off and it will not turn take the grips off and put it in a "old pot" of water on the stove and let it boil for awhile, that might loosen up the crude build up enough to get it off.

 

[phoenix511]

Sounds like this is a nice piece well worth salvaging.

Sometimes the barrel wedge is not totally clear of the cylinder pin slot, so try very gently tapping with a brass wedge pin. The wedge may appear free but in fact is sticking slightly into the cylinder pin. PLEASE don't use a screwdriver or steel punch on this, use a brass or wooden wedge!

The barrel should pry off with little effort of the loading lever braced against the web between cylinders. If it does not come off smoothly, there is something else wrong ... maybe rust or crud on the cylinder pin. That being the case, try KROIL or another rust penetrant on the cylinder pin, plus the lower spot where the barrel joins the frame (2 pins/holes here), wait a few days, try again.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Soak it in a 50/50 mix of ATF and Acetone, best penetrate you can use. Do not use any metal tools for disassemble other than brass.

 

[grampaJ]

It's interesting how similar problems follow some brands. I purchased a '60 Army that is marked Navy Arms, Ridgefield NJ that developed similar "hangup". After playing with problem as others have outlined, we decided that the center pin was Peened just slightly so as to capture the cylinder. Check yours and if it is, some emory papes should fix it. If you know how to use a micrometer, you can easily verify Problem. We decided Guido was the production expediter that batch. :rotf: GrampaJ in NC

 

[shooter13]

This thing is just so rusty the cylinder won't come of the arbor. The gun was fired in the 1990's and stored without cleaning and in a damp enviroment for a time. I have it fully disassimbled except for this and the other parts are OK, the bore looks like a sewer pipe from rust with all other parts being in good shape.

 

[phoenix511]

You might consider this as a last resort.

Google "electrolytic cleaning" or "electrolysis rust removal." Youtube also has examples, mostly on car parts. You'll need a 12V battery charger, a plastic pail, some Borax detergent (usually found in grocery stores), and some strips of scrap steel (almost anything except stainless steel).

Although I've not tried this on firearms, it works great on old tools. The rust will be gone but the pits remain, and the metal will have a slightly gray color. This likely will also take off the bluing on the cylinder.

 

[Sharps1863]

Since it is just not Gummed up but rusted real bad, you could soak it in naval jelly if that does not work, :surrender:

 

[shooter13]

Got the gun soaking in white vinegarafter boiling it awhile, a metal worker told me about this to break up rust. I know it will remove the blueing but the owner is only wanting the gun fixed to a working condition.
i hope this works, at least the boiling vinegar cleaned a lot of rust and crud out of the chambers/

 

[shooter13]

Well I finally got the gun apart, cleaned and reassembled. The vinegar did remove the rust on the arbor and allow the cylinder to come off. The cylinder is now a light gray color from the fact the acid in the vinegar took off the remaining blueing and gave the metal a nice gray patina.It may not be perfect but I think the owner will be happy to have the gun working again.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Think you're right there. Pal used to have his great grand-dad's M.1861 Navy. He just wanted to shoot it once..."just because". Hard to argue with that logic, I suppose. Problem was, there was fore & aft play with the cylinder and the whole thing slid forward when the hammer dropped just enough to prevent the cap from exploding. Otherwise the gun was tight and in good shape so to satisfy him I loaded it for him with a light load and slid a small twig between the cylinder face and the barrel so it would go "POW" and then showed him how to clean it and it went up on the wall. Didn't seem to want to do it again and would have had to have some work done to make it shoot regularly anyway. He was happy just to hold it and your friend will probably be the same. Good luck and good job! :thumbsup: