foolzrushn
New member
bent tab on 1851 Colt loading ram
I noticed that my loading ram was binding a little, and examined it a little closer. After removing the ram from the barrel, I could see that the flat (tab?) of the ram with the slotted hole was not straight with the ram body. It almost looks like the slotted hole is punched through the flat before any hardening of the ram, causing a bent ear, which was not straightened before hardening.
I was wondering what others may have come up with for a fix. I am thinking that trying to straighten it now would break the ram. I have given some thought to filing or grinding the flat to align with the ram body and then using washers to take up the slack. What is commonly done?
I noticed that my loading ram was binding a little, and examined it a little closer. After removing the ram from the barrel, I could see that the flat (tab?) of the ram with the slotted hole was not straight with the ram body. It almost looks like the slotted hole is punched through the flat before any hardening of the ram, causing a bent ear, which was not straightened before hardening.
I was wondering what others may have come up with for a fix. I am thinking that trying to straighten it now would break the ram. I have given some thought to filing or grinding the flat to align with the ram body and then using washers to take up the slack. What is commonly done?
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