Cattleman Base Pin

[Storm Bringer]

I've had a '73 Cattleman Gunfighter model for about a year and a half now, still love it to death, but lately it's been really difficult to disassemble in order to clean it. Specifically, the base pin and the base pin catch have been really hard to operate/remove. I've been having to grab a pair of needle nose pliers and pull pretty hard to get the base pin out, whereas when it was newer I could easily remove the pin by hand. More oil doesn't seem to do the trick, either. I clean it very meticulously immediately after I'm done shooting, and usually and regular intervals when I haven't shot in awhile. Does anyone know how to solve this?

[Six Shooter]

Hi Storm, I am new here and probably not much help but if I were you I would check for a nick or bur on the base pin or the inside surface of the base pin bushing. Do the two move along each other smoothly when removed from the cylinder/frame?

I have noticed that the cylinder is a nice close tolerance fit and has to be in that "perfect" spot for base pin manipulation.

But heck if yours is binding up, sounds like something to check in to.

Keep us informed.