Black powder shooters, need a little advice

[greencobra]

Talking to a friend in work yesterday that did a home repair on an Uberti .36 Navy black powder revolver. Something to do with the loading lever and now it won't seat the ball firmly against the charge of powder, or so he thinks. I'm taking it that it was implied he measured the loading cam rod (my name for it) when it was in the cylinder before the job was started and after, and the rod doesn't go down to the same spot in the cylinder.It's higher now. My question is,knowing the ball should be rammed down on top of the charge and basically pack the powder, will there be any ill effects if the black powder isn't packed but loose under the ball. How about if there is actually a space between the powder and ball. I guess it's pressures I'm asking about. Any thoughts on this?

 

[scouter-rick]

There are teeth that engage with the rod and the loading lever. If he is one tooth off on the rod and lever than I can easily see it not extending into the chamber enough to compress against the powder. This is a potentially dangerous condition as well. The front of the loading lever would also not seat properly when "stored" if this is the case. I have also seen a case where the lever is missing a tooth.

My official opinion is that blown-up diagrams of how to assemble the gun are better than blown up guns.

IANAGS but I drove past a HI Express today.

 

[greencobra]

Having no experience in black powder, exactly my thoughts. Sometimes another opinion is needed to drive the point. Thanks.

 

[bolt]

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