Colt 32-20 Issue

[LynnJr]

Took my old Colt out to the range on Sunday loaded her up and nothing happened.
The first 2 rounds looked like light primer strikes the next 4 where very light.
Never had a revolver let me down until last sunday.
How much pin protrusion should I be seeing?
And other than a thorough cleaning and lubrication what else should I look for?
Pin tip under magnification looks round and smooth.

[plumbum]

Mainspring loose?

[mausercat]

Most of those old Colts used a V mainspring and if there is congealed grease or oil in there it could be slowing down the hammerfall. I would also check the firing pin on the hammer to make sure it is not broken. Also when you have it disassembled check to see if the V spring is not partially broken and has lost its strength. Other than that not much else can go wrong. Oh, I am assuming that you your revolver is double action not a single action army.

[sealocan]

Have you tried different types of ammo with different types/brands of primers?

[LynnJr]

Most of those old Colts used a V mainspring and if there is congealed grease or oil in there it could be slowing down the hammerfall. I would also check the firing pin on the hammer to make sure it is not broken. Also when you have it disassembled check to see if the V spring is not partially broken and has lost its strength. Other than that not much else can go wrong. Oh, I am assuming that you your revolver is double action not a single action army.

It's double action and the firing pin on the hammer looks brand new but it does wiggle if you push on it.
I pulled the grips and the V spring doesn't appear broken but I will clean the ***** out of it and test with some different ammo as well.

[mrkubota]

.049 on my .32-20 4" Colt Police Positive

[LynnJr]

Thanks that is spot on with what I am seeing.
I bought a hammer and pin just in case but will keep it as a spare.

[LynnJr]

Mainspring loose?

I just pulled the grips again and the mainspring appears to my untrained eye to move around quite a bit side to side.
How much movement is normal with the grips off?

[mausercat]

You need to now take off the sideplate. Check to see if there is dirt or gunk in there. How strong is the hammer pull? It should offer some good resistance when you pull the hammer back and continue with that resistance as you manually lower the hammer. If it is clean and the hammer pull seems light I would replace the V spring. You can probably find one at Numrich Gun Parts.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1365010A

[LynnJr]

I just took off the sideplate and the oil looks like it is solidified in there.
On my way to O'reilly's to get some chemtool now.

[mausercat]

It looks like your V Spring is fine. You just have a lot of congealed oil/grease. When you put it back together make sure the rebound lever and the hand fit properly. The rebound lever should applies pressure to the hand that pushes the hand forward. The hand needs to be fulley inserted into the hole in the trigger.

Be careful not to lose the spring on the cylinder latch. It sometimes comes loose and is very small.

Once it is cleaned it will work great.

[slamfire1]

It looks like your V Spring is fine. You just have a lot of congealed oil/grease. When you put it back together make sure the rebound lever and the hand fit properly. The rebound lever should applies pressure to the hand that pushes the hand forward. The hand needs to be fulley inserted into the hole in the trigger.

Be careful not to lose the spring on the cylinder latch. It sometimes comes loose and is very small.

Once it is cleaned it will work great.

I agree. I own a number of vintage Colts and S&W's. You have to clean them out from decades of oxidized oils and greases or they won't go bang.

It is normal to have a bit of firing pin wobble. It may be necessary given the arc and period machining tolerances.

And, don't hot load the thing. Pre WW2 Colts are made from plain carbon steels, and somewhere out there is information when Colt started heat treating the frames and cylinders.

[ironhorse1]

Does your cylinder move back and forth as in end shake? It's a common problem with S&W revolvers requiring shims to fix.

Maybe something similar happens with Colt revolvers.

irh

[LynnJr]

No cylinder wobble

[divingin]

On my way to O'reilly's to get some chemtool now.

You don't have several cans/bottles of lighter fluid sitting around? Ronsonol (naptha) works pretty well as a general degreaser, and leaves a bit of lubrication (though probably not enough for a revolver's innards.)

Cool revolver, BTW.