Problem with my Colt Lawman Mk. III...advice?

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Daniel T

New member
I am having a problem with my revolver. The cylinder does not rotate all the way when using the trigger in DA mode. This only happens at one particular spot, so 5 shots will fire fine, but then the hammer falls between rounds on the 6th. I'm assuming this probably needs to go the the gunsmith to get fixed, but is there anything that I can do to fix it?

Also, does anyone know of a good gunsmith in Austin, TX?
 
Obviously it needs to be checked by a gunsmith who is experienced with this model. Colt may have, or may have had in the past, a gunshop/gunsmith operation that was doing warranty repairs in your area. I'd check with Colt (http://www.colt.com) and see if they might suggest someone.

I suspect the problem may be a bent or broken hand spring, which is simple and inexpensive to replace.
 
If it's always the same cylinder that doesn't rotate into position, I'd be looking at the cylinder ratchet: maybe the ratchet lug is damaged.

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Mike
 
The hand moves out of it window (that's what we call the cutout for things like the hand or pawl or cylinder stop/bolt) engages the ratchet/ejector/star-ejector. As the hand rises up, it forces the ejector to rotate counter clock-wise (from your eye's perspective).

It can fail because the ejector is worn or dirty. Scrub it with a toothbrush and remove all the dirt. That may just solve the problem. If it doesn't, then it's likely that the ejector is worn and has to be replaced. Another way to check if it's worn is to mark a cylinder (grease pencil or different color dummy cartridge from the rest). Freely spin the cylinder and after you stop it. Cycle the action 6 times. If it consistently refuses to rotate fully on that same cylinder, it's that point of the ejector that is associated with that particular cylinder. The hand/pawl/ratchet doesn't know the difference between one cylinder and the next.
 
As the hand rises up, it forces the ejector to rotate counter clock-wise (from your eye's perspective).
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm not reading what you are saying correctly, but on the Colt Lawman and Trooper (Model J's) , rotation is clockwise (as viewed from the rear of the gun).

The hand/pawl/ratchet doesn't know the difference between one cylinder and the next.
Click to expand...

Agreed on the point that the hand/pawl doesn't know the difference, but disagree on the ratchet. The stem on the ejector star/ratchet can only fit in the cylinder in one way. One other note, the hand is not adjustable by bending. The hand on the J models are width / thickness critical.

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Mike
 
If the cylinder is coming half way around, it sounds like the second shelf on the hand is not picking up the ratchet. This probably means wear on one ratchet tooth. If there is no obvious wear or damage, this can sometimes be corrected by removing some metal from the front of the hand to allow it to engage more deeply, but I would have to see the gun to be sure.

Jim
 
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