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wcameron
12-23-2018, 03:35 PM
Since the last national, I've had trouble opening the breech of my Pietta Smith. It opens fine when un loaded but is VERY hard to open with a cartridge in the chamber whether fired or not. Any ideas?
Lou Lou Lou
12-23-2018, 03:46 PM
Try filing a bit off the mouth off the case. One pass with the file and retry
Lou Lou Lou
12-23-2018, 03:47 PM
I assumed metal. Is it plastic?
wcameron
12-23-2018, 04:13 PM
They are plastic cases.
wcameron
12-23-2018, 04:27 PM
Hey I just cut off about an eighth if an inch from one of my plastic cases. It worked like a charm. I never had problems before with these cases. They've been shot several times. Do they stretch after being shot? I wonder if a shortened case will fire? I'll try a couple tomorrow.
Lou Lou Lou
12-23-2018, 04:58 PM
Try 1/16 see if that works also
wcameron
12-23-2018, 08:12 PM
It looks like there is lead build up at the breech which is keeping the cases from seating properly. I tried scraping it out but couldn't do it so I used my Dremel to taper the mouth of the cases to bypass the buildup rather than cutting them off. It worked very well but I have shoot a few rounds to check it out. I don't know how the build up happened or how to get it out. Anyone had this happen before?
Lou Lou Lou
12-23-2018, 08:37 PM
Talk to John Bly or another gunsmith. Might need to have throat smoothed/reamed
george7542
12-23-2018, 08:50 PM
I would slug your barrel and make sure your sizing your rounds properly. To large may lead to the leading you speak of.
ms3635v
12-24-2018, 01:21 PM
The Pietta Smiths seem to have an inconsistency in bore sizes. Judging from the four that are being used on our team there seems to be a disparity in bore sizes, i.e. .503, .505, .507 and .510. One team member had Bobby Hoyt line his barrel at .518" and it shoots great.
Kevin Tinny
12-24-2018, 01:37 PM
Hello, Mike:

When using "bore" are you referring to land or groove diameter, please?

Yes, my Christmas shopping is finished. Sorry.

Thanks,
Kevin Tinny
wcameron
12-24-2018, 04:09 PM
My Smith has a Hoyt lining already. This problem gradually developed over last season.
Lou Lou Lou
12-24-2018, 05:32 PM
Sounds like it may need throating
Muley Gil
12-24-2018, 07:39 PM
Soak the throat area with one of the solvents that attacks lead. You can also chuck a 20 gauge bronze brush in a drill to clean the chamber.