I came into this old Colt from my brother, who received it from a friend, whose mother had it for several years and gave it away as it did not work. I finally got around to pulling it all apart with my new pistol punch set and the problem was immediately evident, as you can see in the picture. A portion of the bolt is completely sheered off and I would like to try and replace it myself. I already brought this to one gunsmith who told me that they couldn't fix it because of a parts unavailability. I don't believe they even bothered to pull it apart. My question is where can I find this bolt (Numrich doesn't have them) and I'm wondering if this is something I can do myself or if it would be better served with a smith. It is a .32 with the serial putting it at about a 1928 manufacture. Any help would be appreciated!!!
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Police Positive Bolt - um... WHERE?!?
- Thread starter shaunpain
- Start date
Well, it's broken. I have no idea where one could be obtained. I guess, with enough time and/or money, one could be made.
FWIW, the bolts of all the small frame Colts (PP, DS) are the same, so maybe a search for a different model might help, but I wouldn't be very optimistic. The other problem would be fitting it, but the first step, getting one, is the hardest.
(Edited to correct frame size.)
Jim
FWIW, the bolts of all the small frame Colts (PP, DS) are the same, so maybe a search for a different model might help, but I wouldn't be very optimistic. The other problem would be fitting it, but the first step, getting one, is the hardest.
(Edited to correct frame size.)
Jim
big al hunter
New member
If you take both halves of the broken part to a machine shop they should be able to reproduce it. The trouble will come in choosing the right alloy to keep it from breaking again.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Your best bet?
Haunt the parts bins at gunshows. You'll sort through a gazillion parts and pieces, but you may get lucky.
Also, look for completely trashed guns on Auction Arms or Gunbroker. You might be able to scavenge some good parts from a rust bucket.
The more I see about how difficult to impossible it is to find Colt parts, the less I want to shoot my old Colts.
Haunt the parts bins at gunshows. You'll sort through a gazillion parts and pieces, but you may get lucky.
Also, look for completely trashed guns on Auction Arms or Gunbroker. You might be able to scavenge some good parts from a rust bucket.
The more I see about how difficult to impossible it is to find Colt parts, the less I want to shoot my old Colts.
A good machine shop could duplicate the part if it were all there, but the photo clearly shows the rear lug is broken off. Further, the missing area is absolutely critical to fitting that part for proper timing.
The bolt is its own spring for sideways movement, so one has to be made of top quality spring steel, machined then hardened and tempered. As I said above it is a matter of money. Machine time can run $40-60 an hour, and I would think the time for that part (including study time to decide how to approach the job) would run at least 4-5 hours. And remember that if the machinist does the job well, he must still leave a lot on the rear to be filed down by a skilled and knowledgeable gunsmith.
You might contact Cylinder and Slide (www.cylinder-slide.com) and see if they can help. They rebuild old Colts and may either have a source of parts or may be able to make the part at a reasonable price.
Jim
The bolt is its own spring for sideways movement, so one has to be made of top quality spring steel, machined then hardened and tempered. As I said above it is a matter of money. Machine time can run $40-60 an hour, and I would think the time for that part (including study time to decide how to approach the job) would run at least 4-5 hours. And remember that if the machinist does the job well, he must still leave a lot on the rear to be filed down by a skilled and knowledgeable gunsmith.
You might contact Cylinder and Slide (www.cylinder-slide.com) and see if they can help. They rebuild old Colts and may either have a source of parts or may be able to make the part at a reasonable price.
Jim
Dfariswheel
New member
Here's the problem with the old type Colt double action revolvers.
Bolts are a critical part and the supply of new bolts was exhausted long ago.
All that's left are used parts.
Critical Colt parts like bolts and hands were totally hand fitted at the factory by stoning and bending them to get a proper working fit.
Since the used parts have already been fitted to a different gun, most used parts will not be usable because they're now undersized and simply won't work.
All you can do is buy a used part and hope it's large enough in the critical areas that it can be re-fitted to a different gun. If not, all you can do is buy another used part and hope to eventually get one that will be usable.
Next problem is, as above, these are totally hand fitted parts and it takes a genuine no-BS Colt qualified expert to install and adjust a bolt or hand.
Virtually no local gunsmith knows anything about how to install and fit these Colt parts, and you usually get the gun back with more problems then it had when you took it in.
Options:
Jack First Gun Parts is making new, replica Colt parts and "may" be making bolts for the small frame models. You have to call.
http://www.jackfirstgun.com/
Note that the replica parts being made by First are in ROUGH, way over-sized condition and require extensive alteration just to get them to the point where they can even start to be actually fitted to a revolver.
Since Colt will no longer work on these older models, you can usually get them repaired at Cylinder & Slide Shop or by Frank Glenn, depending on whether they can get usable parts.
Bolts are a critical part and the supply of new bolts was exhausted long ago.
All that's left are used parts.
Critical Colt parts like bolts and hands were totally hand fitted at the factory by stoning and bending them to get a proper working fit.
Since the used parts have already been fitted to a different gun, most used parts will not be usable because they're now undersized and simply won't work.
All you can do is buy a used part and hope it's large enough in the critical areas that it can be re-fitted to a different gun. If not, all you can do is buy another used part and hope to eventually get one that will be usable.
Next problem is, as above, these are totally hand fitted parts and it takes a genuine no-BS Colt qualified expert to install and adjust a bolt or hand.
Virtually no local gunsmith knows anything about how to install and fit these Colt parts, and you usually get the gun back with more problems then it had when you took it in.
Options:
Jack First Gun Parts is making new, replica Colt parts and "may" be making bolts for the small frame models. You have to call.
http://www.jackfirstgun.com/
Note that the replica parts being made by First are in ROUGH, way over-sized condition and require extensive alteration just to get them to the point where they can even start to be actually fitted to a revolver.
Since Colt will no longer work on these older models, you can usually get them repaired at Cylinder & Slide Shop or by Frank Glenn, depending on whether they can get usable parts.
Dfariswheel
As I was reading all the responses I kept getting more and more frustrated. In today’s modern CNC world can’t SOMEBODY make these parts??? Heavens, can’t they make any and every part???
You answered my question, (somebody IS doing this…Jack First Gun) and it is still a PITA problem for reasons you explained.
Thanks.
As I was reading all the responses I kept getting more and more frustrated. In today’s modern CNC world can’t SOMEBODY make these parts??? Heavens, can’t they make any and every part???
You answered my question, (somebody IS doing this…Jack First Gun) and it is still a PITA problem for reasons you explained.
Thanks.
I have fitted bolts for those guns back when the factory parts were available and it is not easy unless you are lucky and the part drops in. I have never fitted a repro bolt to one of those Colts, but I have fitted oversize repro cylinder stops to three Model 1877's and it takes a lot of time, a lot of patience, and a thorough knowledge of how the gun works.
Jim
Jim
Crikey! Now I am afraid to fire my D-frames and I despair of ever getting my Royal Northwest Mounted Police New Service fixed.
Not sure about the Official Police and I'm probably OK when it comes to the Trooper MkIII.
Maybe I should have a massive wheelgun sale and only buy Rugers.
Bart Noir
Not sure about the Official Police and I'm probably OK when it comes to the Trooper MkIII.
Maybe I should have a massive wheelgun sale and only buy Rugers.
Bart Noir
Dfariswheel
New member
You can probably get your New Service repaired by either Cylinder & Slide Shop or by Frank Glenn in Arizona.
Both do factory level repairs to the older Colt models.
We're getting into the same position of owners of antique cars. New parts are no longer available and when you need repairs you're going to have problems.
I suspect that as the Colt's need repairs, companies will step up and make replica repair parts as Jack First is doing.
Both do factory level repairs to the older Colt models.
We're getting into the same position of owners of antique cars. New parts are no longer available and when you need repairs you're going to have problems.
I suspect that as the Colt's need repairs, companies will step up and make replica repair parts as Jack First is doing.
One would think that if there is enough demand to make repro cylinder stops for the old Model 1877 there would be enough need for the repro makers to do them for the later guns, but so far there are none that I know of. Note, though, that the repro 1877 stop is over $30.
Maybe some letters to Gun Parts, Jack First, etc. might get them thinking about the idea, but it might be complicated because, while there is only one stop for the 1877, there are three sizes and some variations of the bolt for the guns being discussed.
Jim
Maybe some letters to Gun Parts, Jack First, etc. might get them thinking about the idea, but it might be complicated because, while there is only one stop for the 1877, there are three sizes and some variations of the bolt for the guns being discussed.
Jim
I own a Colt Cobra in about 95% that I shoot seldom. Back 30+ years ago I use to screw around with springs, stretch hands file on bolts etc. when parts were plentiful. Not trying to hijack the thread, but can anyone take a WAG as to its value, I'd hate for a parts failure without any replacements available. Oh yeah, I think mine is the model prior to ejector housings.