Pietta old Navy Six bolt/cylinder stop broke

[Doug.38PR]

Wellfor the third time in the gun?s 18 years of life the bilt has broken.  The tails on it have broken off.

I have a replacement.  But it needs to be fitted.  Last time was 13 years ago and a gunsmith did it for me.

Is it possible for a regular guy like me to fit it myself?   A single action colt is not as complicated as a DA Python.  If so, what tools would I need?  Or am I taking on too much?

[RRio]

Before you put it into the gun check the fit in the notches and take anything off the bolt head then  deburr the edges and put it in. OJT - On the Job Training

[Coffinmaker]

When you fit the bolt to the cylinder notches, remove material from the TRAILING side of the bolt.  Insure the area where you have removed material is PARALLEL to the side of the bolt.  DO NOT tilt the area you fit.  Then break the edge at the top of the bolt (400 Wet/dry) then install the bolt and see what happens.

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[riflee]

Trailing side of the bolt? You mean the side that doesn't do the stopping?

 I thunk anymore that the bolt legs of the new/replacement  bolts tend to be a little long and may need a little removed from the end that needs rounded and smoothed some. You know... so the bolt doesn't  stay on the hammers cam too long and hit the leading edge of the cylinder notch and peen it down or if the bolt head is too wide then peens both edges of the cylinder notch.

It's nice when he bolt fits the bolt window in the frame  and the cylinder notches and then shows good alignment with the bore of the barrel. When down sizing the bolt head you want to know which way to move the cylinder to be in alignment with the bore of the barrel. You know.....take a little off the proper side of the bolt to keep it aligning the chamber with the bore.  Or just figure a little off one way or the other can be taken care of by the forcing cone in the breech end of the barrel. 

It can be a little tricky fitting a new bolt.

 At times something needs done to get the bolts leg closer to the hammers cam so the bolt moves out of the notch completely soon enough to let the hand turn the cylinder with out the hand and the bolt fighting each other and hanging up the action a little.


Fitting a bolt needs multiple things attended to or checked out.  Single actions can throw the demons of hell into your world.  Like for instance when someone wonders which finger of a new pawl to fit first and sooner or later thunks it thru and realizes the first thing to check for proper fit is the bolt.        You know.....who wants to time a new pawl to a worn bolt? 

My hound dog is barking and growling at the front door again. Better go see if it's a home invader or a danged racoon again.  Those danged coons eating the cat food all the time.  Life can be so cruel at times.   

[Navy Six]

Get a copy of " The Colt Single Action Revolvers, a Shop Manual Volumes 1&2" by Jerry Kuhnhausen. It will walk you step by step, in correct sequence, how to fit a bolt to a Colt style action. Of course, those who have many years of experience have excellent advice and tips, but that book will get you started in the right direction.
P.S.--Riflee, glad to hear you got a new hound dog. I remember when your last one past because I lost my two at the same time. I'm just now ready to get another as boy, did I love those two.