Gunsmith at GAC?

[PrattStreetRioter]

Mods if this is in the wrong spot I apologize...

Anyway I have a Pedersoli Coach double barrel shotgun that needs a new sear I think. I forget what all the lock parts are called but I know them by sight. Anyway the right hand hammer will not stay cocked.

I have only been to the 145th GAC and I do recall Mr Zimmerman there.

Does anyone know if Mr Zimmerman or Dixie gun works will be there? I'd like to bring my boomstick along for some repairs if they're there.

[GrumpyDave]

Have you contacted the event organizers John or Dixie Gun Works? sometimes these folks show up too:

http://www.lodgewood.com/

[Blair]

Bob,

Is this the SXS shotgun you have?

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/?item=ArmiCategoriaDettaglio&CategoriaId=245&Articolo=L.241&lang=en

If you scroll down, you will find a PDF file with and "Exploded View" of the firearm along with the parts list. This may give you a start on finding what you need.

I would suggest you pull the lock and examine it and compare it to the left side lock. This is so you can see what part/s maybe damaged and/or in need of being replaced.

Just a suggestion on my part. It is best that you have the parts in hand, if you take your Shotgun to an ACW event. Do not expect these vendors to carry all the various Civilian firearms parts that might be available to a Military event. The parts on Civilian and Military firearms are very different.

Dixie Gun Works will have your parts. However, getting the actual parts you need maybe a different matter.
Track of the Wolf is another place you will be able to get what you need.
I hope you find this helpful,

[Remise]

His phone number is at his Website. I know he travels, as I saw him at the N-SSA National several weeks ago: http://www.edsmart.com/jz/

B.C. Milligan
Company K, First Penna. Reserves

[PrattStreetRioter]

Blair, that is the shotgun, except mine is the coach model, much shorter barrel.

I'll drop those folks a line, I checked the GAC website but I did not see sutlers listed.


Thanks for the help guys!!

[PrattStreetRioter]

Looks like the tumbler is the problem, the little thing that is sort of like a gear. It appears the edge is broken or worn off where it won't catch when the hammer is cocked.

On a side note I had the same problem at GAC two years ago with my richmond. Our inspecting officer was one of those guys who love to whack the **** out of the hammer at half cock during inspections. He actually broke my rifle doing that. But did he offer to pay for the repairs? Of course not!


Thanks again for the pointers!!

[Blair]

Bob,

The barrel length is not the problem. Don't worry about that part!

"Looks like the tumbler is the problem, the little thing that is sort of like a gear. It appears the edge is broken or worn off where it won't catch when the hammer is cocked".
This "might" be corrected. I can't say for sure until I could check it out. There are people closer to you than I am that can, saving you some shipping charges.

"Our inspecting officer was one of those guys who love to whack the **** out of the hammer at half cock during inspections. He actually broke my rifle doing that. But did he offer to pay for the repairs? Of course not!"

Most Inspecting Officers have no clue in what they are doing. Simple FACT!
I always watch what they are doing as they come down the line.
Fat end of the ramrod, is a No! No!
Pinging or pouncing the ramrod off my breech face, is a No! No!
Hammering the half or full cock notch with anything more than thumb pressure, is a No! No!
They may not want to listen to you.
In that case, walk away.
Or, you can threaten to beat them about the head and shoulders with their "ramrod" if they try such an Inspection on your firearm.
I have found both approaches work very well.

You must remember, you paid for this gun! It is not Military Property. They have no right to cause damages you will have to pay for.
This is "your" investment, not their's! You have every right to protect your investment.

[TheQM]

Most Inspecting Officers have no clue in what they are doing. Simple FACT!
I always watch what they are doing as they come down the line.
Fat end of the ramrod, is a No! No!
Pinging or pouncing the ramrod off my breech face, is a No! No!
Hammering the half or full cock notch with anything more than thumb pressure, is a No! No!
They may not want to listen to you.
In that case, walk away.
Or, you can threaten to beat them about the head and shoulders with their "ramrod" if they try such an Inspection on your firearm.
I have found both approaches work very well.


Blair,

From the "School of the Soldier":

"Draw the rammer as has been explained in loading and let it glide to the bottom of the bore"

It sure sounds to me that the "fat" end of the ramrod goes down the barrel. That makes sense for a number of reasons. First, the inspector has a better chance of finding an object in the bore. Second, there is less chance of scratching the breech face or damaging the threads on the rammer.

From the "Confiderate Field Manual"

"Rifled arms should not have ramrod sprung in the bore with UNNECESSARY force. It batters the HEAD of the rod and wears injuriously the grooves.The soldier should let the rod slide down gently, supported by the thumb and finger; and the inspecting officer can satisify himself of the condition of the bottom of the bore by GENTLY tapping with the rod."

From this, it appears the inspector in expected to tap the ramrod in the bore, just not let it drop from six inches or a foot. It's also clear that the head of the ramrod is run down the bore, not the thread end.

In the units I belong to, people are free to not have their weapons inspected. They are also free to find a new unit. It will be one choice, or the other. We also consider threatening the inspector with bodily harm to be a major no-no.

[Blair]

Bill,

Did you notice this part of my statement?
Quote, "You must remember, you paid for this gun! It is not Military Property. They have no right to cause damages you will have to pay for.
This is "your" investment, not their's! You have every right to protect your investment."
I always used a 'brass' rod of 1/4 to 5/16 " in dia. and 4' (48 inches in length). No chance of it getting stuck/lodged in the bore for any reason! Also no chance of it messing up the threads or causing the two piece, press fit ramrod from from separating from the "overly hard Ping on the breech face". It will tell you everything you, as the Inspector, needs to know about the bore of the firearm. Do not use the ramrod from the gun being inspected! And never the a ramrod from some "other" gun that may not fit the barrel/bore length of every gun I might have to inspect.
Ever seem ramrods get stuck in the bore using the fat end? I have!
It ends the day of play for the soldier and the Inspection comes to an abrupt end too.
This is common since, not Rocket Science!
Too much force on the trigger breaks sears and tumblers.
Too much force on the hammer brakes sears and tumblers.
I've seen Inspectors slam the rod down so hard that the rod bounces completely out of the barrel!' Too much force not only damages the rod being used as well as the breech plug face.

Too Much force! And being smarter than the guy that has "never" yet cleaned his or her firearm because no one has told them how to yet.
Regulations are great! but only when everyone knows them and practices them. This isn't going to happen in a "Pretend" Army. But, will save the Inspector and the soldier a lot of grief! If, those supposable in the know, show some common since.
No threat of "force" on their person will be necessary, if they exhibit a little common since!
(Please note, I do not mean this to be argumentative these are only based on my personal observations)

[TheQM]

Bill,

Ever seem ramrods get stuck in the bore using the fat end? I have!


Blair,

Sure. In filthy, dirty, rusty, poorly maintained weapons! There's a lot of windage between a ramrod head and the bore of the weapon. If a soldier shows up for inspection with a weapon that's so cruddy his ramrod gets stuck in the bore, shame on him. He deserves to sit out the rest of the weekend.

We use period inspection techniques, which include putting the weapon's ramrod down the barrel, head first, and tapping said ramrod gently against the breach of the weapon.

I agree with you about the inspectors who bang on the weapon's hammer to check the half-cock safety. When I inspect, I put the weapon on half-cock and pull the trigger with moderate pressure, I then put the weapon on full-cock and check the alignment between the hammer and cone. (IMHO, the single biggest mechanical problem on repop weapons) I then grasp the hammer, pull the trigger and allow the hammer to gently fall.

[Poor Private]

I agree with Blair,
Anyone stupid enough to let someone else misuse/mishandle thier musket gets what they deserve. I have spoken many sharp words to an inspector who doesn't know how to treat a firearm. If a soft tap or bounce and you can tell if the barrrel si clear all the way to the breach. NO need toi bounce that thing 1/2 way out the barrel. Nore slam the back side of a fist against the hammer, at half cock. Those who know me, know that I don't tolerate rough handling of my firearm. This aint the real army! I am here because I want to be not because I have to be. I didn't come here to have to spend my hard earned money on repairs. I have every right to chew out some monkey who doesn't know how to handle my investment. Like someone else said I don't see a heavy handed inspector promising to pay for the damage he caused. If you can't treat it with respect then you don't get to touch it--I don't care who you are!! Luckily Where I usually am in the line there are others who get inspected before me so I can see how he treats them- If he is easy handed I have no problem, but a heavy hand he gets some words of caution from me before I will surrender my weapon.