Colt Navy disassembly

Gunnie Ed · 05-17-2007, 03:22 PM

I just bought a nice .44 Colt today, and am in the process of cleaning out the chambers as they're a little gunked-up.

My question is, how do I get the cylinder out? I know it has something to do with the wedge, but it ain't budging.

samuel · 05-17-2007, 03:38 PM

Try tapping it in and then out.Also sideways.Dont get over rough but if you put wd40 on it and tap from all available angles it will come.Dont do this over livingroom furnature using wd40. samuel.

Gunnie Ed · 05-17-2007, 03:46 PM

but which way is it supposed to go? in or out?

samuel · 05-17-2007, 04:41 PM

The wedge should have a thick end on one side of the gun and a thin end on the other.If you tap on the thin end it should slide out.I never saw one but look for some kind of screw that might be holding the wedge.I remember someone telling me they put a set screw in one to hold it in.The problem I always had was keeping it in. samuel.

Gunnie Ed · 05-17-2007, 04:49 PM

Removing the screw was the first thing I did.

I also noticed that there's a little spring-catch on the wedge that aparently is engaged and keeps the wedge in.

samuel · 05-17-2007, 05:58 PM

You must have one that hasnt been fired much as that spring doesnt hold up long with use.If you place something like hard wood or use a brass hammer and hit the thin side hard enough it will come out.They are fun to shoot,it takes 10sec,s to empty and 10minutes to load.The best way is buy several cylinders and load them but dont put the caps on until you install the cylinder in the action because if you hit a cap on a nipple it will discharge and the ball is about at maximum power.Also dont ever have anyone off to the side and in front of the firearm because of multiple chambers going off.This can be partially prevented by greasing with corn starch(crisco)over the ball or buying wads that go under the ball.Dont ever use anything that has petrolium in it including vasiline.It gums everything up.Also that wedge should have notches you can see when you get it out.They make a tool to pull those wedges,I just never used one. samuel.

Gunnie Ed · 05-17-2007, 07:05 PM

Finally got it off, Thanks. I'll try to remember all that. ^_^

JSosbe · 05-17-2007, 10:36 PM

On the subject of the Colt Navy, anyone know what could potentially cause the hammer to strike without detonating the cap. The small spring on the hammer is broken but the main spring is new, could that be the problem?

allan1898 · 05-23-2007, 10:09 AM

Uh, yeah, I'd replace the broken spring. You may also need to replace the nipples. Especially if it has been dry fired.

samuel · 05-23-2007, 10:20 AM

I believe the small spring you are refering to is the hand spring that makes the hand stay forward so it catches the notches in the cylinder and turns it to line the chamber up.If the barrel is pointed down it usually works with a broken spring but if you tip the barrel up the hand falls back and fails to rotate the cylinder. samuel.

LEE3370 · 06-10-2007, 07:15 AM

Howdy Gunnie Ed,
Sounds like you are new at blackpowder revolvers.
Here is a good reading link to start with:

Black Powder Primer

Good luck,
Lee

05-17-2007, 03:22 PM	#1
Gunnie Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: three clicks left of center. Posts: 808	Colt Navy disassembly I just bought a nice .44 Colt today, and am in the process of cleaning out the chambers as they're a little gunked-up. My question is, how do I get the cylinder out? I know it has something to do with the wedge, but it ain't budging. __________________ http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95.../warinmine.gif

05-17-2007, 03:46 PM	#3
Gunnie Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: three clicks left of center. Posts: 808	but which way is it supposed to go? in or out? __________________ http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95.../warinmine.gif

05-17-2007, 04:49 PM	#5
Gunnie Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: three clicks left of center. Posts: 808	Removing the screw was the first thing I did. I also noticed that there's a little spring-catch on the wedge that aparently is engaged and keeps the wedge in. __________________ http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95.../warinmine.gif

05-17-2007, 07:05 PM	#7
Gunnie Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: three clicks left of center. Posts: 808	Finally got it off, Thanks. I'll try to remember all that. ^_^ __________________ http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95.../warinmine.gif

06-10-2007, 07:15 AM	#11
LEE3370 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southern Indiana Perry County Posts: 396	Howdy Gunnie Ed, Sounds like you are new at blackpowder revolvers. Here is a good reading link to start with: Black Powder Primer Good luck, Lee __________________ GOD, COUNTRY, AND FLAG

05-17-2007, 03:38 PM	#2
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	Try tapping it in and then out.Also sideways.Dont get over rough but if you put wd40 on it and tap from all available angles it will come.Dont do this over livingroom furnature using wd40. samuel.

05-17-2007, 04:41 PM	#4
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	The wedge should have a thick end on one side of the gun and a thin end on the other.If you tap on the thin end it should slide out.I never saw one but look for some kind of screw that might be holding the wedge.I remember someone telling me they put a set screw in one to hold it in.The problem I always had was keeping it in. samuel.

05-17-2007, 05:58 PM	#6
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	You must have one that hasnt been fired much as that spring doesnt hold up long with use.If you place something like hard wood or use a brass hammer and hit the thin side hard enough it will come out.They are fun to shoot,it takes 10sec,s to empty and 10minutes to load.The best way is buy several cylinders and load them but dont put the caps on until you install the cylinder in the action because if you hit a cap on a nipple it will discharge and the ball is about at maximum power.Also dont ever have anyone off to the side and in front of the firearm because of multiple chambers going off.This can be partially prevented by greasing with corn starch(crisco)over the ball or buying wads that go under the ball.Dont ever use anything that has petrolium in it including vasiline.It gums everything up.Also that wedge should have notches you can see when you get it out.They make a tool to pull those wedges,I just never used one. samuel.

05-17-2007, 10:36 PM	#8
JSosbe Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: University of Kentucky Posts: 81	On the subject of the Colt Navy, anyone know what could potentially cause the hammer to strike without detonating the cap. The small spring on the hammer is broken but the main spring is new, could that be the problem?

05-23-2007, 10:09 AM	#9
allan1898 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 110	Uh, yeah, I'd replace the broken spring. You may also need to replace the nipples. Especially if it has been dry fired.

05-23-2007, 10:20 AM	#10
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I believe the small spring you are refering to is the hand spring that makes the hand stay forward so it catches the notches in the cylinder and turns it to line the chamber up.If the barrel is pointed down it usually works with a broken spring but if you tip the barrel up the hand falls back and fails to rotate the cylinder. samuel.