tapered ram rod

[the skrat]

i am restocking an old cva pistol and put the lock in before i drilled the ram rod hole and now the ram rod will probably hit the foward lock bolt so i decided to put a tapered ram rod in. this pistol is 45 caliber with a 3/8 ram rod. can i taper it to 1/4 or should i go to 5/16?

curly maple

 

[crgabel]

I would suggest that you just sand a flat on the end. This would be easier, and also eliminate the chance of your rod rattling around in the end.
Craig

 

[Roy]

I would take it to 5/16 or even a bit larger if possible, you can also slightly notch the front bolt.

 

[the skrat]

i drilled a 3/8 hole and stopped just shy of the forward bolt then finished it wih a 5/16 bit im feelin pretty good the bit never popped out any where and then i drilled an inspection hole in the barrel channel looks like the ram rod and bolt will be very close but i think i can deal with it. lucky my dad had a long bit he always seems to have any thing i need. then i went and made one of those center to center drilling pins i threaded a 7/16 rod and mounted it in my wood lathe in a 3 jaw chuck and filed a point. well i hope this project turns out.

curly maple