Bisley question

[pondoro]

I have owned a Bisley in 44 mag for about ten years. Zero problems until this last summer, I was shooting, laid the gun down, and the base pin assembly fell out. I found all the bits - the pin, the spring and the nut and I reassembled the gun. But I worry why did it fall apart? How tight should they be? And how do I tighten it? The pin has a slot for a screwdriver but the nut is round and can't easily be held while tightening. Yes the nut has a slot but the pin protrudes so that the slot is more or less worthless for a screwdriver.

Any advice? I could easily have lost the parts, fortunately I set the gun in it's case. If the parts had fallen into the grass they would have been gone irretrievably.

 

[contender]

Well, they make special screwdriver bits for these nuts. Next, use a bit of REMOVABLE loc-tite to re-assemble the parts. Problems will be solved.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Funny thing....I bought a cheapo screwdriver at WM yesterday to cut a small slot in for this purpose so I would not have to replicate the really difficult and potentially dangerous way I did it the last time.

 

[David Bradshaw]

Pondoro.... " ...Bisley in .44 mag for about 10 years. Zero problems until... base pin fell out."

This is NOT a gun problem. This is a maintenance problem. The screws of all guns with screws, especially large bore revolvers, must be checked periodically.

You may make a spanner screw driver by carefully filing a notch in the appropriate-size screwdriver. Keep this tool in your kit.
David Bradshaw

 

[Jimbo357mag]

...or get a 'spanner bit' at Home Depot.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Wow, I never knew such a thing could be found at Home Depot. Great find there, Jimbo!

 

[pondoro]

Pondoro.... " ...Bisley in .44 mag for about 10 years. Zero problems until... base pin fell out."

This is NOT a gun problem. This is a maintenance problem. The screws of all guns with screws, especially large bore revolvers, must be checked periodically.

You may make a spanner screw driver by carefully filing a notch in the appropriate-size screwdriver. Keep this tool in your kit.
David Bradshaw

I wasn't blaming the gun. I'd never had to tighten screws before and never heard it recommended.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I got my spanner bit from Brownells. Before that I was using a modified flat tip screwdriver.
I check the screws every`time I clean my single actions. It only takes a few seconds to do and can save you some headaches. :wink: Fast action (CAS) or heavy loads can loosen things up.

 

[Hammerdown77]

I'd never had to tighten screws before and never heard it recommended.

You ain't shootin' enough!

 

[Rclark]

I'd never had to tighten screws before and never heard it recommended.

You must have had to 'tighten' the screws a few times after tearing the revolver down and cleaning and oiling the internals as well as the ejector housing . Hah!

I check the screws every`time I clean my single actions.

Me too. I always give mine the once over when cleaning. Like a checkout of an aircraft before you go fly, the pilot always does a 'walk around' . Never know when a pesky screw will start working it's way loose and I just hate surprises in the field/at the range! During a shooting session, I'll glance at the screws and try to wiggle the ejector housing to make sure it isn't coming loose as well. Note that when I do the check after cleaning, I don't hardly put any pressure on the screw driver as I don't want to actually 'turn it' if properly in place. If it is loose it will turn easy... Then tighten as needed. If it persists, then blue locktite is answer or in some cases a new screw.

 

[flatgate]

A short piece of monofilament fishing line stuffed down in the screws' bore prior to reinstalling the screw will do wonders. Trim the "tail" with a lighter. (unloaded gun, of course....... )

flatgate

 

[David Bradshaw]

flatgate.... Faux Nylock screw? A great idea!
David Bradshaw

 

[mill428]

flatgate.... Faux Nylock screw? A great idea!
David Bradshaw

I agree. That is brilliant! It amazes me how some of the simplest things go undiscovered (by me) for so long.

Craig

 

[andyo5]

...or get a 'spanner bit' at Home Depot.

What spanner bit size would you recommend for Rugers?
And for Single Acton Army guns?
I see them online but don't know what size to order.

Thanks!

 

[GasGuzzler]

I was successful making my own. It's a lot more easierest to use than a bit.