1866 ladle removal question

[Desert Drifter]

I've read about the posibility of having that cartridge stop lip breaking off the ladle and having to repaired or replaced.   I examined my 1866 it seems like all one would have to do to remove the ladle is:

Loosen the ladle screw
grab ahold of the ladle with a magnet
remove the ladle screw
guide the ladle out of the side plate.

After repair or replacing with a new ladle

guide the ladle back into the side plate while its held with a magnet and align the screw holes
replace the ladle screw.

Is this posible?  or does the the side plate absolutely have to be removed to remove the ladle?

thanks

'drif

[Pettifogger]

Large amount of work for little gain.  Simply loosen the lever screw (don't remove if from the gun) and remove the side plate screw.  Then just remove the right had side plate and you have full access to the ladle.  Remove the ladle screw and fix the tab.  One of the problems doing it the way you suggest is that the ladle screw only has enough threads to go through the thickness of the ladle.  Most of the time you have to hold the ladle and push on the end before the screw will start.  I posted some pictures of a ladle reinforcement in another thread.

Found the photo, easier to repost than look for the thread.  Top, old style solid tab.  Middle, bent tab ladle with broken tab.  Bottom, bent tab ladle with tab reinforced.

[Cliff Fendley]

Would it be wise to silver solder a brace on one before the bent tab breaks off. I just started shooting a 66 and I'm expecting this to break at any time.

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[Abilene]

Would it be wise to silver solder a brace on one before the bent tab breaks off. I just started shooting a 66 and I'm expecting this to break at any time.

Yes.   

[Cliff Fendley]

Thanks, what temp solder? Or should I say how much heat can be applied? I assume that piece has a spring temper.

[Pettifogger]

I use Brownells Hi-Force 44.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=709/Product/HI-FORCE-44-trade-SOLDER

[Desert Drifter]

@Pettifogger

.. using gunsmiths screwdrivers I backed out the lever screw about an 1/8th of an inch then removed the side plate screw......rolled the carbine over on its left side and the right side plate with the ladle was just laying on the pad.

Piece of cake.  Thank you sir for your directions.  I didn't reenforce the tab yet because me and the family will have another project that will take about a week or so.  But at least I wont be frett'n and loosen sleep about that ladle anymore.

'drif

[Cliff Fendley]

I use Brownells Hi-Force 44.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=709/Product/HI-FORCE-44-trade-SOLDER

Thanks, got that, I use it a lot on my knives.