‘51 colt navy- barrel will not come off

[CaptainVane]

Uberti brand new. The wedge is out, placed the plunger between cylinders. Was able to get barrel to move a hair, cylinder is slightly loose, absolutely cannot get the barrel assembly to budge. Im afraid to hammer on the lever.
Every video says slides right off, well, no it doesn’t.
Any suggestions how to get this off?

 

[jt2100r]

tap the barrel by the wedge with a nylon hammer

 

[John from MD]

Uberti brand new. The wedge is out, placed the plunger between cylinders. Was able to get barrel to move a hair, cylinder is slightly loose, absolutely cannot get the barrel assembly to budge. Im afraid to hammer on the lever.
Every video says slides right off, well, no it doesn’t.
Any suggestions how to get this off?

Stick it in a pot of boiling water. You probably have some preservative that has hardened. Hot water will melt it and it will come apart.

 

[CaptainVane]

tap the barrel by the wedge with a nylon hammer

Along the side? Haven’t tried that. Thought about getting a 3’ pipe that slides over the lever to use as additional leverage but afraid i might break the plunger clean off. Will try side tapping when home.

 

[linkstate]

Started typing earlier…

Some people use an extension piece on the lever for easier and more comfortable loading. They are available from some sites. I’ve never used one of those but maybe try an appropriate diameter piece of PVC for more leverage. Just go easy.

I know I have had to use the lever as you are but kind of of worked it back and forth in a tapping motion.

It will get easier with use. I also put some bore butter on the tabs protruding from the frame when apart. Not sure if it helps much but can’t hurt.

One thing, keep the revolver over a table so if/when the barrel comes loose and surprises you, you don’t drop the cylinder, frame or barrel on the floor…

 

[CaptainVane]

I think the extension bar is next try. 1/2” ID, about 3 feet long. I hear you can move the earth with long enough lever. Sounds like a trip to Lowes in morning.

 

[John from MD]

I think the extension bar is next try. 1/2” ID, about 3 feet long. I hear you can move the earth with long enough lever. Sounds like a trip to Lowes in morning.

The cast loading levers on Pietta and Uberti pistols will break if you force them too much.

 

[linkstate]

What John said. Whatever route you decide, go easy. Apply a little more force here and there. It’ll come off. If you get frustrated, take a break.

Just try to take the barrel straight off. Once the wedge pin is out of the picture, you don’t want to bend or break those pins protruding from the frame as the gap to the barrel widens.

Now if you ever want to take it completely apart, that is even more fun on some of the screws. Good screwdrivers and patience and you will be fine.

Good thing with Uberti, parts are easy to come by like the lever. But let’s not have to go there on your first disassembly.

 

[CaptainVane]

I talked to Cimarron who i bought it from. They had no suggestion. Worst case, I will ship to them and let them deal with it. 5 year warranty. Here, you fix it.

 

[CaptainVane]

Will take to Matt on Saturday at Saint. Hopefully he can work some magic.
Why don’t people check this out before they sell it?

 

[ken792]

It’s better to tap on the cylinder face with a block of wood than to go nuts with the loading lever.

If you do have to use a lot of force with the loading lever, pad the loading ram with a piece of soft metal or something.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Stick it in a pot of boiling water. You probably have some preservative that has hardened. Hot water will melt it and it will come apart.

This should do it. Especially if you been shooting more often than cleaning.
New gun, sounds like it needs broke in a tad which should equate to some level of enjoyment.

 

[linkstate]

Getting a new cap and ball revolver ready to go for it’s first outing is a process. I have two Uberti’s and they both required some minor level of fiddling with.

Once you touch off your first charge, it’ll all be worth it.

As a result of all of these recent BP threads lead me to ordering a Pedersoli Harpers Ferry percussion. I figured a single barrel would be fun when I don’t want to mess with a revolver. Plus it just looks cool.

ETA: I’ve had good luck with odorless mineral spirits to dissolve old hard oil from S&W revolvers that sat in a box or drawer for decades. Just another idea.

 

[CaptainVane]

It’s better to tap on the cylinder face with a block of wood than to go nuts with the loading lever.

If you do have to use a lot of force with the loading lever, pad the loading ram with a piece of soft metal or something.

Trying to picture this Ken. Not getting how tapping on cylinder will free the barrel assembly.

 

[ken792]

Trying to picture this Ken. Not getting how tapping on cylinder will free the barrel assembly.

While wedge is removed, hold the barrel or secure it in a padded vise, place a block of wood against the cylinder face and gently tap the wood with a hammer, and repeat on each side little by little.

You could also remove the ram assembly, place a dowel or brass rod in through the ram hole, and tap on that.

 

[CaptainVane]

Getting a new cap and ball revolver ready to go for it’s first outing is a process. I have two Uberti’s and they both required some minor level of fiddling with.

Once you touch off your first charge, it’ll all be worth it.

As a result of all of these recent BP threads lead me to ordering a Pedersoli Harpers Ferry percussion. I figured a single barrel would be fun when I don’t want to mess with a revolver. Plus it just looks cool.

ETA: I’ve had good luck with odorless mineral spirits to dissolve old hard oil from S&W revolvers that sat in a box or drawer for decades. Just another idea.

I have a uberti 58 Remington navy 36 that is flawless. Its my favorite. I always wanted the Colt too. No regrets, will work through this minor issue. Side by side, the colt is heavier (both 36), the Rem better balanced.
Being as both are direct repros and the Rem is 7 years newer at the time, and revolver was jumping leaps and bounds in technology at the time.
I read that when Colt made the 73 SAA, they based it on the Rem, not their earlier product.
I wont argue with anyone who disagrees, just what i read.

 

[CaptainVane]

While wedge is removed, hold the barrel or secure it in a padded vise, place a block of wood against the cylinder face and gently tap the wood with a hammer, and repeat on each side little by little.

You could also remove the ram assembly, place a dowel or brass rod in through the ram hole, and tap on that.

OH got it, tapping the cylinder/frame away from the barrel assembly. Great idea.

 

[CaptainVane]

PS. I have a Rugger Single Six 22 and a Interarms Virginia Dragoon 44 magnum that is a 5# beast. Both cartridge. Neither as fun as these 2 BP revolvers.
Well maybe the Dragoon. Loaned it to a friend for a weekend. Brought it back to me, said this thing is crazy, I couldn’t hit sht.
Its a skill to shoot and not get knocked on your butt.

 

[The Saint]

Will take to Matt on Saturday at Saint. Hopefully he can work some magic.
Why don’t people check this out before they sell it?

Matt will be at the Baltimore County Game & Fish show vending and not at the shop on Saturday. Just an FYI. You have a hydro-locked preservative caked gun...boil it. It's been all said here exactly what you need to do, it's extremely common with these guns fresh out the pack.

 

[CaptainVane]

Well, a new day dawns bright. Was up last night wondering if just maybe the wedge was not fully out keeping the barrel on. So this morning I tapped it out, then wrapped in cloth so to not mar it, and worked it back and forth and pulling with pliers. The wedge must have been hung up by a hair.
The barrel came off. I will work it in and out a few times today until I can get it loose with fingers. Also going to clean then grease the arbor and wedge real good today with RIG grease..
Thanks to all who offered advice.
And thanks for the tip about Matt closed on saturday, Was going to get supplies. Do you know if the shop be open Friday?