Author Topic: My Colt Won't Work (Read 1033 times)

simonkenton · « **on:** March 15, 2006, 05:28:26 AM »

I took my 1860 Pietta Colt Army all apart.
I put it back together. The gun will not cock. That is, when you try to cock it the cylinder will not turn. It is as though the bolt has locked up the cylinder.
With the cylinder removed, the bolt and the hand appear to work fine.
I have taken it apart and put it back together a few times previously, no problem.

quincy1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2006, 11:17:02 AM »

Perhaps the wedge is in to tight. Try removibg it all togeter. My 61 Navy has this problem. Just tap it in enoug to get it to stay, mine got better with wear
Quincy1

simonkenton · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2006, 11:38:42 PM »

That is a good guess Quincy. But, I already tried that. In fact, you can install the cylinder and not even install the barrel and the thing still locks up.

Flint · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2006, 03:01:56 PM »

It sounds like the bolt is not resetting or the trigger is jammed. Remove the gripframe and Triggerguard and make sure the Trigger/Bolt spring is right side up and engaged properly with the trigger shelf.

Check the action of the bolt and hand with the cylinder removed.

If the hand is trying to revolve the cylinder before the bolt withdraws, it will be frozen as well. Check for burrs and rough edges on the hand and bolt. There should be a small chamfer on the edge of the bolt wing that rides up the hammer's cam slope. See a book on tuning Colt Single Actions.

timothy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2006, 01:23:12 AM »

10 to 1 your bolt screw is loose. Make sure all your screws are tight. Even a half turn loose and your bolt wont drop in time.

simonkenton · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2006, 02:07:48 AM »

Thanks for the advice, guys.
I took the gun to a gunsmith. He took it apart, found nothing wrong, and reassembled it excactly the way I had it. I worked fine!
He said, maybe I had the screws too tight!
I don't know, I think the Italian Colt Gods just had it in for me that day.
I have taken the thing apart a half dozen times without a problem.
Gunsmith charge, $8, so what the hell.

timothy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2006, 12:06:03 PM »

I was reluctant to tighten the exterier screws on mine at first for fear of marring them and had the same problem. But if you look at antiques you'll see the cowboys buggered the heck out of theirs so who cares. Glad you got it working have fun.