Posted: 5/31/2009 12:03:07 AM EDT
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I have a friends Python that is having issues. Although I am comfortable with S&W revolver tuning, I know nothing on these Colt revolvers.
The problem is the cylinder does not always swing out 100%, more like 90%. This obviously prohibits reloading or extracting empties. It happens randomly and not on a specific chamber/cylinder index. I personally suspect a slightly tweaked crane from one handed snapping the cylinder open and closed, but I am not sure. Is this a problem common on Pythons and is it user correctable? My buddy cannot afford the money to send it to Colt (He inherited this thing, BTW) and I do not want to go WECSOG on this. Suggestions are appreciated...and no, he will not part with it! |
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Looking down the front of the gun ( Unloaded). Look where the Crane meets the frame. If the Crane is sprung there will be a significant "Gap" between it and the frame. If it's sprung I would send it to Colt.
If it's not sprung the next thing I would look for is dirt or a metal chip keeping it from closing. The screw right over the trigger on the side of the frame can come out and there should be a spring loaded plunger on it. This holds the crane in the frame and you should be able to open the cylinder and slide the crane and cylinder off the gun. look in the frame with a light for what might be causing it. A q tip and some Brakleen/ Gunscrubber can help. Just remember to re lube the moving parts. |
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if the crain was sprung, then it would be consistiant.
the mechanics of the crain opening/closing is a simple device and theres probably some junk/debris causing the problems. look at the crain retaining pin/screw too. the setup isnt that much dif from S&Ws. theres a spring/pin that captures the crain similar to the S&W revolvers. maybe the ejector could have backed out? once you have the crain/cylinder open, spin the cylinder and see whats tru and whats not. btw. if the new owner is snapping the cylinder closed/open, give him a good kick in the ass everytime he does it. also, how do you know he "cant afford to send it to colt"? have you called to ask them for even a quote to look at the gun or even with given symptoms, ask for a rough estimate? also, if he "cant afford to fix it", how can he "afford" to shoot it? |
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Thanks for the advice, I will post later on it's progress. He is a young shooter and inherited the Python-since he is still in college and working he cannot afford much right now. In fact, because he is a family friend, I have been subsidizing his shooting expenses; ammo, range fees, targets, etc.
He's a good egg, (Eagle Scout too) and I am helping any way I can to get and keep a new shooter actively engaged. My last experience with Colt CS cost me some bank, so before I go that route, I want to do a diagnostic and make sure if it is an easy fix, but I am reluctant to work on a unfamiliar operating system and possibly booger up someone else's pistola. Rest assured he is getting some quality instruction on basic shooting fundamentals and knows not to abuse the "snake". |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the advice, I will post later on it's progress. He is a young shooter and inherited the Python-since he is still in college and working he cannot afford much right now. In fact, because he is a family friend, I have been subsidizing his shooting expenses; ammo, range fees, targets, etc. He's a good egg, (Eagle Scout too) and I am helping any way I can to get and keep a new shooter actively engaged. My last experience with Colt CS cost me some bank, so before I go that route, I want to do a diagnostic and make sure if it is an easy fix, but I am reluctant to work on a unfamiliar operating system and possibly booger up someone else's pistola. Rest assured he is getting some quality instruction on basic shooting fundamentals and knows not to abuse the "snake". congrats on your willingness to oversee a new shooter. you can try looking for a Authorized COLT service shop in your area too. Ive found that most of the work done by Colt or their service centers are reasonable from what ive had done. if you find a local service center, you can always take the python there and have them give an estimate to fix/repair whatever is causing the problem. |