Bought a Python 2 days ago, great condition w/ the box, etc. Checked the action & dry fired a few times @ gun shop & everything seemed in order (this is my second Python). Took it home, cleaned it up and I'm happy w/ it. Yesterday, while inspecting the gun further, I realized it didn't sound like my other Python when dry fired, had a louder ringing sound. When I tried S.A. dry fireing a few more times the hammer would only drop part of the way. It continued to do this several times and then it would be OK, then start again. In D.A. dry fire it doesn't have this problem. I haven't had the chance to talk to the gun shop owner who sold it. He said it was an early 70's E prefix model. Any thoughts on what problem may be would be appreciated.
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Python Problem
- Thread starter redoxide
- Start date
Dfariswheel
New member
Some Python's do make a ringing sound. No rhyme or reason, some just do.
Over the years there have been "urban legends" about "ringing" Colt or S&W revolvers. Some stories say (take your pick), something is wrong with the action, others say this means a well tuned action.
On the action problem. Does the hammer just stick, or it it being caught by the trigger? (When the hammer stops, does releasing the trigger allow the trigger AND hammer to drop to the rest position).
It could be a hammer DA strut with too much "let out". This means that when the trigger is pulled in SA, the hammer's DA strut is catching on the triger, instead.
This probably means somebody has been inside doing a trigger job. In this case, take a CLOSE look at the mainspring, and check for hammer "push-off", (cock the hammer, and push on the back to see if it will uncock).
Over the years there have been "urban legends" about "ringing" Colt or S&W revolvers. Some stories say (take your pick), something is wrong with the action, others say this means a well tuned action.
On the action problem. Does the hammer just stick, or it it being caught by the trigger? (When the hammer stops, does releasing the trigger allow the trigger AND hammer to drop to the rest position).
It could be a hammer DA strut with too much "let out". This means that when the trigger is pulled in SA, the hammer's DA strut is catching on the triger, instead.
This probably means somebody has been inside doing a trigger job. In this case, take a CLOSE look at the mainspring, and check for hammer "push-off", (cock the hammer, and push on the back to see if it will uncock).
The odd sound combined with failure of the hammer to fall might indicate a problem with the hammer block safety, which, needless to say, could be a serious problem. The Python uses the old type action and I would not recommend working on it yourself unless you are experienced with the Colt innards.
I suggest finding a good gunsmith (hard to do) or sending it back to Colt.
Jim
I suggest finding a good gunsmith (hard to do) or sending it back to Colt.
Jim
Thank you for your help. The hammer does drop fully when trigger is released. A few times the trigger also partially became hung-up & didn't immediately return to position. This problem seems more likely to occur when I'm gently squeezing the trigger.
I did push on the back of the cocked hammer & didn't encounter any problems.
I'm from s.central PA & am sure there are qualified gunsmiths to work on the gun but I don't know of any personally. The idea of sending it back to Colt is agreeable to me but I also thought another option would be Cylinder-Slide for a basic, although costly, trigger job.
I've learned expensive lessons trying to repair firearms. On this Python I think I'll limit myself to just removing the grips.
I did push on the back of the cocked hammer & didn't encounter any problems.
I'm from s.central PA & am sure there are qualified gunsmiths to work on the gun but I don't know of any personally. The idea of sending it back to Colt is agreeable to me but I also thought another option would be Cylinder-Slide for a basic, although costly, trigger job.
I've learned expensive lessons trying to repair firearms. On this Python I think I'll limit myself to just removing the grips.
John Lawson
New member
While parts are still readily available, replace the hammer and trigger.
Cylinder & Slide can work on it. If the hammer block is failing to return to its position of rest (lower and out of the way from the hammer), it could be that it's off track or there's sufficient dirt such that it is riding out of its milled slot.
Do a search under my name for Python disassembly. You'll find instructions on how to take it apart and put it back together. With it you'll be able to clean the working mechanism of your Python.
Do a search under my name for Python disassembly. You'll find instructions on how to take it apart and put it back together. With it you'll be able to clean the working mechanism of your Python.
Lots of good posts here. If you're handy and experienced in disassembling and reassembling your guns, completely disassemble the Python and thoroughly clean it. Lube well and reassemble. BTW, Jerry Kuhnhausen's shop manual for this model of Colt double action revo can't be beat.
Question 2
Iwant to thank all of you who gave me valuable advice regarding my Python. I did return it to the gun shop where it was purchased & gun shop owner sent it to his gunsmith. Got it back today & was told the insides were coated w/ a thin layer of rust. It was cleaned & lubed & all seems well.
But this leads me to another question. I was told this gun had seen little or no use ever, over a long period of time, & had been wrapped in a flannel cloth & stored in the box. It's a blued model, bright & beautifully polished but I've cleaned it at least twice w/ Flitz liquid gun polish cleaner, the type w/o ammonia or abrasives. Each cleaning left rust red residue on cleaning cloth. Is this normal? I've had similiar residue come from S&W mod.19, also high polish blue, but not to same extent as Python. Haven't encountered situation on less highly polished blued revolvers. Is it the cleaner causing the problem or surface rust problem?
Iwant to thank all of you who gave me valuable advice regarding my Python. I did return it to the gun shop where it was purchased & gun shop owner sent it to his gunsmith. Got it back today & was told the insides were coated w/ a thin layer of rust. It was cleaned & lubed & all seems well.
But this leads me to another question. I was told this gun had seen little or no use ever, over a long period of time, & had been wrapped in a flannel cloth & stored in the box. It's a blued model, bright & beautifully polished but I've cleaned it at least twice w/ Flitz liquid gun polish cleaner, the type w/o ammonia or abrasives. Each cleaning left rust red residue on cleaning cloth. Is this normal? I've had similiar residue come from S&W mod.19, also high polish blue, but not to same extent as Python. Haven't encountered situation on less highly polished blued revolvers. Is it the cleaner causing the problem or surface rust problem?
I suspect the cleaner is taking off a thin coat of oxide or a trace of preservative that was on the metal. Too much cleaning may attack the blue, which is actually a controlled form of rust. To eliminate the question of the cleaner causing the stain, wipe the gun down with something like WD-40 and see if you get the same color stains on the cloth. When you are done protect that part of the finish that’s highly polished with a coat of good quality automobile wax (not polish) with a high Carnauba content. Museums use wax, not grease or oils to protect metal artifacts.