LionHunter
New member
Cylinder is freewheeling. Thought this should be the bolt stop but am not sure. I need to know what to look for and what to do about it. I have disassembled, cleaned, lubed and re-assembled it.
Thanks
Thanks
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Colt New Army M1901 Help Needed
- Thread starter LionHunter
- Start date
Dfariswheel
New member
The problem is, the old Colt action is extremely complicated, and has tiny working surfaces.
Each and every part does AT LEAST two totally different functions, and making a tiny change "here" can make something totally unexpected happen over "there".
Due to the complexity, no one can be much help on the internet, so I recommend buying the book "The Colt Double Action Revolvers: A Shop Manual, Volume One" by Jerry Kuhnhausen.
While this book covers the small and medium framed Colt's it also works for the larger New Service frame like the Model 1909.
This book is a real pistolsmiths training manual and covers EVERYTHING about the old Colt action.
Buy it from Brownell's, or Midway:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/st...805&title=Jerry Kuhnhausen SHOP MANUALS/BOOKS
I spent 30 years as a gunsmith specializing in Colt revolvers, and I AM NOT exaggerating about how complicated the old Colt action is.
Attempt repairs without knowing exactly what needs to be done and how to do it, and all you'll do is ruin parts that are NOT replaceable anymore.
The bolt especially is easy to botch up, and there are no more new bolts available.
Buy the book.
Also, if you're smart, you won't take it to a local gunsmith.
Today's gunsmiths also have no idea how the old Colt's work and they too botch repairs often.
If you don't want to tackle it yourself, send it to one of the few places that still know how to work on the Colt's.
I will recommend either Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters in Pittsburgh, or Cylinder & Slide.
Each and every part does AT LEAST two totally different functions, and making a tiny change "here" can make something totally unexpected happen over "there".
Due to the complexity, no one can be much help on the internet, so I recommend buying the book "The Colt Double Action Revolvers: A Shop Manual, Volume One" by Jerry Kuhnhausen.
While this book covers the small and medium framed Colt's it also works for the larger New Service frame like the Model 1909.
This book is a real pistolsmiths training manual and covers EVERYTHING about the old Colt action.
Buy it from Brownell's, or Midway:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/st...805&title=Jerry Kuhnhausen SHOP MANUALS/BOOKS
I spent 30 years as a gunsmith specializing in Colt revolvers, and I AM NOT exaggerating about how complicated the old Colt action is.
Attempt repairs without knowing exactly what needs to be done and how to do it, and all you'll do is ruin parts that are NOT replaceable anymore.
The bolt especially is easy to botch up, and there are no more new bolts available.
Buy the book.
Also, if you're smart, you won't take it to a local gunsmith.
Today's gunsmiths also have no idea how the old Colt's work and they too botch repairs often.
If you don't want to tackle it yourself, send it to one of the few places that still know how to work on the Colt's.
I will recommend either Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters in Pittsburgh, or Cylinder & Slide.
Hi, guys, sorry but the Kuhnhausen books on DA Colts don't cover the old New Army-New Navy series. It is sure right that those guns are very complex.
The cylinder should not free-wheel either way on a 1901, and there may be more than one problem. Since you know how to disassemble the gun, with the sideplate removed, check the hand and the cylinder bolt. Odds are that one or both have broken springs, a common malady on those guns. Last I checked, Gun Parts Corp has both parts with their springs, but does not have the springs separate. A careful workman can make those springs, but it is not easy. Also make sure the sideplate still has the little pin that holds the hand spring during assembly; without that, assembly is difficult almost sure to break the hand spring.
The cylinder latch also plays a part in that it prevents the cylinder from rotating backward if the cylinder bolt is not fully engaged.
I wish I could say to take the gun to a gunsmith, but finding a gunsmith who can and will work on those guns is not easy.
Jim
The cylinder should not free-wheel either way on a 1901, and there may be more than one problem. Since you know how to disassemble the gun, with the sideplate removed, check the hand and the cylinder bolt. Odds are that one or both have broken springs, a common malady on those guns. Last I checked, Gun Parts Corp has both parts with their springs, but does not have the springs separate. A careful workman can make those springs, but it is not easy. Also make sure the sideplate still has the little pin that holds the hand spring during assembly; without that, assembly is difficult almost sure to break the hand spring.
The cylinder latch also plays a part in that it prevents the cylinder from rotating backward if the cylinder bolt is not fully engaged.
I wish I could say to take the gun to a gunsmith, but finding a gunsmith who can and will work on those guns is not easy.
Jim
Dfariswheel
New member
Oops, I mis-read "1901" as "1909".
The Colt New Army & Navy models are even MORE complicated then the later models of Colt's.
The action is delicate, easy to break or get our of order, and virtually no pistolsmith one will touch one for repairs.
Parts are even more difficult to find in usable condition.
I second Jim's directions.
The Colt New Army & Navy models are even MORE complicated then the later models of Colt's.
The action is delicate, easy to break or get our of order, and virtually no pistolsmith one will touch one for repairs.
Parts are even more difficult to find in usable condition.
I second Jim's directions.