As you may already know, I was the runner up bidder on a #5, serial K-331, on GB a few weeks ago. Krems opted out after seeing the gun, and I was given a second chance offer, which I took. The seller, who incidentally knew nothing of the gun, was doing an acquaintance a favor by listing it.
Before the seller sent it to me, he said that he had to take it to his "gunsmith", because the bolt was not locking the cylinder. He had the smith check it out, and all was reportedly well, but when he picked it up, the same problem happened again after cycling the action a time or two.
I asked him to leave it be and send it to me as it was, so that no further screw turning could occur which might further muck up the works.
It arrived this morning. The first thing I noticed was the tell-tale evidence of a hamfisted gunsmith having used improper tool selection, i.e. boogered screw heads. I also was struck by the mundane quality of the polishing and bluing. It is dull compared to others I have seen, almost apprentice done, or Ruger-like. There is a weird little casting flaw or two on the grip frame, which are visible on the underside near the trigger. Krems, I am really surprised that you didn't notice them, or if you did, make mention of them. The accompanying pics will bear this out.
Anyway, I have since corrected the locking problem, or better stated, the absence of locking. The spring that coils around the screw which holds the bolt in position has an arm which is bent at the distal end, to catch the underside of the bolt. The other, longer arm of the spring is forced into tension by the grip frame itself when reassembly occurs. The little bend needed a bit more angle, approaching 95-100 degrees or so. This I accomplished with a hemostat and a tiny little pair of needle-nosed. All is now well with it.
I paid too much, and I knew I was doing so as I did. But, I like the guns. Every other guy at the range or in the lodge doesn't have one just like it. I'll keep this gun. I'll develop a stout load which meets my expectation on the paper, and I will shoot it unmercilessly.
It'll carry well in one of my leather cross-draws during the next Kentucky deer season. The fact that it is a bit flawed and unattractive already will allow me to do so without concern for the preservation of it's original condition. I'll treat it like I do my hand tools. I'll take advantage of it's utility for the job it was designed to do, and I'll care for it mechanically. Let the apppearance be damned.
Anyway, if I just want to stroke with flannel and admire a TLA, I can do so with the my other #5 in 44, or the cute new pup I got a few days ago...a Border Special in 44special.
KAP
