Problem with Python cylinder collar replaced by bushing

I

Ignacio49

New member
I bought this Python whose cylinder collar was replaced by a steel bushing.
I learnt from dfariswheel that “what prevents the cylinder from moving forward is the fit of the small collar on the front of the cylinder contacting the frame inside the window just below the rear of the barrel”.
There is no excesive endshake (as far as I can see - I have not measured it) but the thing is that in my new (to me) Python the collar does not touch the frame. It is in contact with the yoke, and the yoke seems to fit the frame, but the collar does not touches the frame. Please see pics below.

Can this cause problems? Is there a solution?
Appreciate your help

collar does not contact frame

2.jpg



collar in contact with yoke



collar in contact with yoke (click image for video)



yoke/frame fit click image for video

 
Last edited:
IIRC, in the new type Colts the cylinder collar should bear on both the crane and the frame since when the cylinder is closed they are effectively one piece. That one obviously is wrong, but I am not sure quite how.

FWIW, that gun shows signs of having been worked over and re-finished. I am inclined to think that someone messed with it beyond just replacing the collar.

Jim
 
It may just be the angle of the picture, but it looks like the barrel is already very close to touching the cylinder
 
dfariswheel, can you explain what's wrong here to the rest of us?

Looks like (from the picture) that the cylinder is dragging on the forcing cone.

Does the gun cycle properly?
 
IMHO, someone has messed with that gun and rather badly. I don't have a Python, so maybe someone who does can help, but I think that collar should contact the crane and keep the headspace and b/c gap correct.

From the rounded corners and curved lines, I conclude that someone buffed the living heck out of that gun and then reblued it. It was probably badly rusted, as seen by the rust on top of the crane. I hope that the OP didn't pay much for it, as it is now (IMHO) a $200 gun.

Jim
 
On the newer Colt revolvers, the front of the cylinder collar should bear on the frame just below the barrel.
This will leave a circular wear/impact area right under the barrel.
The collar may also lightly contact the crane, but since the crane has no real support, if it makes too much contact every time the gun is fired the crane is going to be driven forward bending or flexing it.

In the older Colt's, there was a flange on the crane shaft that the cylinder collar seated against, and the flange in turn seated against the frame below the barrel. To simplify production Colt deleted the flange and seated the cylinder collar directly on the frame.

From the pictures above it looks like the cylinder bushing is seating against the crane and not making any contact against the frame. at all
When the gun is fired all the impact force is against the crane, which is going to bend/damage the crane and possibly cause wear of the frame in the hole where the lower shaft of the crane enters the frame.

I'm not sure just what's going on with this Python but the information that the cylinder crane has been bored off and a separate bushing has been installed is an indication that something was badly botched.

Depending on what's wrong, the only repair I can see is to install a longer bushing that will seat against the frame and clearance the shoulder on the crane so the cylinder makes only light contact.
Since the owner lives in South America, I don't know where he's going to go to get the gun properly diagnosed and that level of work done.
 
The collar may also lightly contact the crane, but since the crane has no real support, if it makes too much contact every time the gun is fired the crane is going to be driven forward bending or flexing it
Click to expand...
It appears to me the crane is nearly resting against the lug under the barrel, and the cylinder is nearly touching the barrel.

I'm not seeing how a tiny bit of movement is going to cause any real problems
 
Colt Python barrel shrouds are clearanced to prevent the shroud from scarring the finish when the barrel is screwed in and torqued.
My 6 inch stainless has at least 1/32" gap between the shroud and the crane.

The crane does have a very minimal amount of contact against the frame below the barrel, but that's very minimal.
The combination of the shroud gap and minimal support of the crane on the frame will allow flexing of the crane.
That's not good on any revolver.
 
I think it is time to say what I (and maybe others) have been thinking.

Ignacio, that gun has serious problems mechanically and furthermore appears to have been very badly refinished. Its value has been lowered drastically and it has no collector value at all. If you can get a refund, I strongly suggest you do so. I would suggest finding a good pistolsmith, but I think the cost might be more than the gun is worth, considering its condition.

Sorry for the bad news.

Jim
 
Thank you all for your good comments and help.

I have already talked to a gunsmith who will change the cylinder bushing. The current one is short and is not doing his job. We´ll see....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top