Ballesters from CIA

[SnookerDog]

Got the tail end of the 2 for $300 deal. I got one each, a Molina and a Rigaud. Let me say I'm easy and glad I got them, but they do need a litttle attention. Both had matching barrels and frames, but the mags were from different guns. The two mags to the Molina are tweaked, I think. They are very hard to insert in the mag well. But if I use a mag from the Riguad or a GI magazine, they feed ok. The Molina has about 15% bluing, which is about what I expected. One grip screw was stripped out and replaced with a cut down lag screw. ':(' But what the hey, the rest of the pistol seems ok and the barrel is shiny and rifling adequate. The Rigaud at first appeared to be the dog. No visable bluing, serious rust spot the size of a dime on the slide and a cracked, almost broken grip panel. But upon furhter disassembly and initial cleaning this may be the jewel of the two. Bright bore, good rifling, both mags feed and eject well. Slide to frame reasonably tight. Like I said, I'm probably easy, but still think I got a deal. A little bluing and TLC and I think I'll like them even more. ':p'
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[Samuel]

I saw a few people on the boards say the 2 for $300 Ballesters were suppose to have complete grips (no cracks) so I called CAI today and asked them if this was correct. After wating for a bit on hold, they told me they would be shipping 4 new sets of grips to me free (yes, I bought the 2 fer twice). :jump:

So, if you ordered the 2 for $300 and your grips are cracked :( , you might want to call customr service.... I bet they will get tired of replacing them (or run out), so don't wait too long. :cool:

[big1dog]

I just got 2 Bollesters this past Wednesday. I am happy with my purchase overall. I also have the problem of the extra clip for both guns is difficult to insert and doesn't want to stay in. The other 2 clips slide right in and fall out when the release is pushed.

One of the springs is bent in one of my guns and the loop at the bottom of the gun where the clip goes in is bent. I wonder if I should send it back. What do you think?

Please let me know how you plan to finish these guns.

[big1dog]

Here is a link to my site where i posted pics of my Mollena's.

http://chriscampbell1.tripod.com/

Please check it out and compare you pistols. I am wondering what kind of deal I got.

[SalBO]

You got the same condition everyone else got. In fact, your grips are MUCH better than mine were. Take your time and refinish them if that is what you want to do with them and you will be very please as to how they come out...Good luck and enjoy !

[big1dog]

Can someone tell me how to remove the trigger and hammer on the bollester? I would like to take apart to clean and re-blue.


Salbo
What happens if something inside the bollester breaks? Can anything be replaced?

[SalBO]

there is a pin above the trigger. remove it and the trigger will slide out the back . You will need to pry outward a little on the back end , but it slides right out.

After emoving the slide the safety comes out by turning it backwads. It will pull right out. You need to cock the hammer first. Then remove the large pin that the safety is on top of. The hammer will pop out. Keep in mind the hammer spring has it under tension so hold on to the hammer and push it down against the spring with your thumb.
If you are holding the pistol like you are going to shoot it, palce your thumb on the hammer and push downward into the gun. The spring runs vetical into the grip

[SalBO]

Originally posted by big1dog
Can someone tell me how to remove the trigger and hammer on the bollester? I would like to take apart to clean and re-blue.


Salbo
What happens if something inside the bollester breaks? Can anything be replaced?

There are parts available from a few places. I will post a link here for you as soon as I get my mind in the right frame and find it for you....hehe

[cwalker3]

Originally posted by big1dog
Can someone tell me how to remove the trigger and hammer on the bollester? I would like to take apart to clean and re-blue.


Salbo
What happens if something inside the bollester breaks? Can anything be replaced?

I found this guy in SGN. I haven't bought from him yet, so I can't vouch for him. If you e-mail him, he'll send you a parts list with prices. His address is: alexworld2001@hotmail.com

[big1dog]

Did some searching on google and found this link: http://www.globaltrades.com/10-01pdf/p18w.pdf

this has an exploded view of the bollester and enfield 1917 along with a parts list. now i feel better about my purchase knowing that there is parts for my gun!!

[SnookerDog]

Ok, so I've neglected to report progress for awhile, but the Rigaud has been stripped to parts. Have used 'naval jelly' on the slide with great results. Cleaned up the rust spot and with a little wire brush/moto tool work and have the slide nice and shiny/smooth. Think I might use Brownell's matt black baking paint on it and the frame. The molina is resting as I try to decide what to do about the stripped out grip screw hole. Think I could braze it enough to re-thread, but can't quite figure what the thread pitch is. At times I think it is 5mm x .5 and other times I think its 10-40. Anyone know?

[big1dog]

I called CIA and told them the two extra clips that the sent were difficult to insert and they were nice enough to send me two more without any hassle.

so i removed all that i could, sanded everything and now have started the blueing process. i am using birchwood casey blueing kit. the slide turned out nice but am having difficulty doing the frame.