1886 disassembly

[coyote nose]

So I only spent about 1/2 hour trying to figure out how in the world to get that darn magazine tube off of my Model 1886 33 WCF...until i tried turning it out! Yep...screwed in. None of my disassembly books mentioned that...one even said it just "pulls right out". BTW...anybody who says the 1886 is just a bigger 1892 never tried reassembling them! World of difference. Took about 1 hour (literally) to get the carrier hook and cartridge carrier and lever and ejector all lined up exactly to drive the bolt pin in...lets see...I needed 4 hands, three index fingers, 5 thumbs, 2 sets of eyes.....

[Mike D.]

LOL. Been there and done that too many times. It's unfortunate that you were unaware of the threaded mag tubes on later '86s. The suffix A after the serial number indicates the tube change to threaded. As far as assembling the carrier and hook goes it helps the use a rubber band to hold the parts together while assembling the lever. A man just doesn't have enough fingers or hands to do it easily. It becomes lots easier to do the job after about the 10th time.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

So I only spent about 1/2 hour trying to figure out how in the world to get that darn magazine tube off of my Model 1886 33 WCF...until i tried turning it out! Yep...screwed in. None of my disassembly books mentioned that...one even said it just "pulls right out". BTW...anybody who says the 1886 is just a bigger 1892 never tried reassembling them! World of difference. Took about 1 hour (literally) to get the carrier hook and cartridge carrier and lever and ejector all lined up exactly to drive the bolt pin in...lets see...I needed 4 hands, three index fingers, 5 thumbs, 2 sets of eyes.....

They don't come apart the same but they are the same basic style of action. A couple trick I use is slave pins and forceps for a third hand. Was that a carbine or rifle? what year?

[Sixgun]

Yo Coyote,
Yep, as Mike says, its gets better by about the tenth time. Well, I'm on the hundreths time as its still a bugger but................I did find when installing all those parts together, just install the ejector in the front of the bolt, then slowly ease it into the top of the receiver, all the while holding it upright so the ejector don't fall out. The push the bolt up tight to the end of the barrel, making sure the ejector rides up tight in the front of the bolt..(in place)..............then while holding it tight against the barrel, slip in a locking bolt. That will hold everything in place while you put the lever in and the pin.-------------Sixgun

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Yo Coyote,
Yep, as Mike says, its gets better by about the tenth time. Well, I'm on the hundreths time as its still a bugger but................I did find when installing all those parts together, just install the ejector in the front of the bolt, then slowly ease it into the top of the receiver, all the while holding it upright so the ejector don't fall out. The push the bolt up tight to the end of the barrel, making sure the ejector rides up tight in the front of the bolt..(in place)..............then while holding it tight against the barrel, slip in a locking bolt. That will hold everything in place while you put the lever in and the pin.-------------Sixgun

Or just use a dummy round hooked under the extractor to hold it all in the bolt as you slip it part way into the receiver.

[Sixgun]

[quote="Nate Kiowa Jones]

Or just use a dummy round hooked under the extractor to hold it all in the bolt as you slip it part way into the receiver. [/quote]

Nate, Thank you! I learn something new everyday. Sometimes the most simple solutions are easily in reach but are clouded by either being in a hurry or just plain not thinking. In my case, its both.
This week, I have another '86 coming apart, so I'll use that new knowledge. Thanks!------Sixgun

[coyote nose]

Just bought the gun...I will see how it shoots and if it shoots good it will become my "dream gun" ie: turnbull for case color, I'll blue the barrel, etc, I have NICE wood for it.. It is a rifle, received in warehouse Dec 28, 1905, shipped out July 2, 1906. 33 WCF
Sixgun, I dont understand...if I push the bolt all the way forward to hold the ejector in, then I cant access the lever pin hole. On the 1892, if I recall, they have a hole in the receiver for this. The 1886 doesn't.
This is definitely coming apart again. I'll try the case trick to get the ejector in, and the rubber band trick to hold the carrier hook in (that was my main problem..the darn thing kept falling out and jamming in the action).Thanks guys!

[Mike D.]

Coyote nose, 1886s were blued, not case colored, beginning shortly after 1900, but could be had CC as a special order. Generally, bluing works best on these later "smokeless" receivers. A nice original type blueing would look mighty fine on your .33.

[Sixgun]

Coyote,
Your right! I was thinking about the '92 as the assembly process with the bolt, lever, and ejector are pretty much the same.

OK, my little brain is working overtime...thinking.............thinking............Yep, its a "three hand job". Its been a couple of months since I ripped one apart. If I remember right, I "start" the bolt in the back of the receiver.....install the ejector, spring, collar, and the little piece of metal into the bolt.....line that up the best I can............bring the lever from underneath and install the pin, all the while using my third hand to hold it all together.........oh s__t, I can't remember............looks like time to dig out the assembly/disassembly book..............later-------------------------Sixgun

ps.---if you think that tough, try installing the lower tang/set trigger/springs, and other stuff on a Colt Lightning rifle. THAT was a two hour/frustration/punch the wall/six hands/ ordeal.

[Gun Smith]

It is not necessary, or do I recommend, disconnecting the bolt and lever. They can be removed as a unit. The problem with removing the bolt/lever pin is that when driving out the pin it is easy to break off the ejector collar/spring stop on the bottom of the bolt. Bye-bye bolt!

[coyote nose]

Sixgun...I just sold a Colt lightning rifle in 32-20, but it didnt have set triggers. i love those rifles though.
Gunsmith, I didnt think of taking it out as a unit...hmmm...but next time I have to take them individually apart as IF the gun shoots..the bolt will be reblued and the lever case colored.
Mike D, you are right, mine still has blue on it (not much) but being my dream gun, I decided I am going to get EXACTLY what I want, and not restore it to factory condition. Will probably end up with a crescent butt, full length magazine, CC receiver, and I may have engraving done on it (am good friends with a great engraver....I fully expect to pay him for his work, but being able to check out his progress everyday and fine tune exactly what i want on my dream gun is a great set of circumstances). This is all predicated on if it shoots good. If not, i may have to buy a new barrel for it...then have to decide between octagon and round (with a full length magazine). These are the decisions I like!!

[Mike D.]

What is wrong with the barrel? Dark bores often shoot just as well as "mint" ones do, so don't sell that old thing short.

[Mike Hunter]

Reassembly is easy…. Rubber band the lever, carrier & S hook together, assemble to the bolt with bolt about 2/3 out, slide the whole mess into place, cut the rubber band thru the loading gate base port, pick out the pieces. I can completely reassemble an 86 in under 30 min

Mike

[Sixgun]

Reassembly is easy…. Rubber band the lever, carrier & S hook together, assemble to the bolt with bolt about 2/3 out, slide the whole mess into place, cut the rubber band thru the loading gate base port, pick out the pieces. I can completely reassemble an 86 in under 30 min

Mike

Mike, Some of us (me, particularly ) never do figure out the easy way, even after doing a hundred of them. Thanks! This is one saved post! ------------------Sixgun