Abilene .44 Magnum "stuck" firing pin

[ctacke]

My dad gave me a US Arms Abilene .44 Magnum revolver (judging by the serial number, from the period when Mossberg was making them in New Haven.

I love this pistol. Great heft and fantastic accuracy.

The last time I fired it at the range, however, the firing pin got stuck in the forward position, meaning that the cylinder would no longer rotate because the firing pin would hit the back of the shells in the cylinder. I was able to get it pushed back far enough manually so I could unload the firearm, but until I take it apart and see what's going on, I can't fire it.

My guess is that either the channel that the firing pin is in is leaded up and causing the pin to stick or the spring itself is broken. Again, these are just guesses until I get it apart.

So that leads to my questions.

1. Where can I get an exploded view of the Abilene? I see one for the Seville on singleactions.com, but not the Abilene.
2. Where can I get the spanner wrench (and what is it actually called?) for taking out the firing pin?
3. Where can I get replacement parts like the spring I think I'm going to need once I get it apart?

[Madbo]

Numrich Gun Parts Corp.
www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=6086

[Frank V]

Ctacke
You might try spraying the firing pin & bushing with break cleaner. Take the stocks off it will peel finish off of wood. Then re lube it & see if that frees it up. I had it work on a gun with the firing pin stuck one time.
Frank

[ctacke]

@madbo: Excellent! I've ordered up all of the parts (plus some springs for a few other guns I have). Any ideas on the spanner? Turns out I need a spanner to disassemble a couple old Iver Johnson revolvers I picked up as well (have to use the mic to see if they are the same size still).

@frank: Thanks for the suggestion. I tried a good dousing with solvent already. Pushing real hard on it with the flat of a screwdriver still won't push it in all the way, so I'm pretty sure something's broken and binding. I'll probably give it a shot of brake cleaner though as well just to see if it helps out.