Joe S.
Hunter
Sorry for the crappy pictures.
I have always liked the idea of a free spinning cylinders in single actions. But it has always been expensive and/ or time consuming with having to fit aftermarket parts or filing the factory pawl. The new model Blackhawks and Vaqueros make performing this mod quick and easy with the indexing "pawl" they are putting on the frames now. This is a spring loaded button that aligns the chamber with the loading gate. The ratchet pawl rotates back into the frame free and clear of the cylinder from the lever on the bottom of the pawl that rests against the grip frame. Makes loading the newer guns a snap, much like the old three screws with the half cock feature.
I havent seen any write ups on this mod, so I thought I would do one.
First up, SAFETY! Follow all rules of safe gun handling. All guns are always loaded. Never point a gun at any thing you arent willing to destroy, so on and so on...
Next, you need good companions. Here are mine for this mod.
This is the screw we are trying to get to.
Pull the grip panels and the cylinder, and remove the grip frame. Dont forget to put the pin in the hammer strut, like I almost did.
While you are at it, you might as well perform the "poor man trigger job" and bend the spring. I didnt put much in mine, but just enough to help a little.
Now we need to pull the hammer out. To do that, remove the pin that holds the hammer to the frame. It is the one higher on the frame. It will come out easily once you remove the grip frame because the long screw on the grip frame captures that pin by going up into the groove on the pin. Keep that in mind when reassembling the gun. Once the pin is out, you need to depress this pin on the hammer, and it will slide on out.
Once the hammer is out, all you have to do is pull the trigger, moving the transfer bar up and out of the way. Then, simply remove this screw, and push the detent pin and spring out the back of the frame.
Now, simply put the hammer back in and replace the grip frame and panels. Open the loading gate, and give it a test spin and make sure the gun still functions properly.
One thing to note. Make sure the spring on the rear of the cylinder frame to the left of the hammer doesnt get bent. It is easy to do.
I have always liked the idea of a free spinning cylinders in single actions. But it has always been expensive and/ or time consuming with having to fit aftermarket parts or filing the factory pawl. The new model Blackhawks and Vaqueros make performing this mod quick and easy with the indexing "pawl" they are putting on the frames now. This is a spring loaded button that aligns the chamber with the loading gate. The ratchet pawl rotates back into the frame free and clear of the cylinder from the lever on the bottom of the pawl that rests against the grip frame. Makes loading the newer guns a snap, much like the old three screws with the half cock feature.
I havent seen any write ups on this mod, so I thought I would do one.
First up, SAFETY! Follow all rules of safe gun handling. All guns are always loaded. Never point a gun at any thing you arent willing to destroy, so on and so on...
Next, you need good companions. Here are mine for this mod.
This is the screw we are trying to get to.
Pull the grip panels and the cylinder, and remove the grip frame. Dont forget to put the pin in the hammer strut, like I almost did.
While you are at it, you might as well perform the "poor man trigger job" and bend the spring. I didnt put much in mine, but just enough to help a little.
Now we need to pull the hammer out. To do that, remove the pin that holds the hammer to the frame. It is the one higher on the frame. It will come out easily once you remove the grip frame because the long screw on the grip frame captures that pin by going up into the groove on the pin. Keep that in mind when reassembling the gun. Once the pin is out, you need to depress this pin on the hammer, and it will slide on out.
Once the hammer is out, all you have to do is pull the trigger, moving the transfer bar up and out of the way. Then, simply remove this screw, and push the detent pin and spring out the back of the frame.
Now, simply put the hammer back in and replace the grip frame and panels. Open the loading gate, and give it a test spin and make sure the gun still functions properly.
One thing to note. Make sure the spring on the rear of the cylinder frame to the left of the hammer doesnt get bent. It is easy to do.
. Before I could understand the free spin 'need' (so you could backup if you went past).... I even modified my original Vaquero (filed the pawl) to test this mod and it worked fine, but finally went back to normal pawl as over a lot of use, it finally wouldn't reliably advance the cylinder. Especially when the cylinder was gummed up with BP making it harder to turn.
