colt python cleaning

[wilson_wwsc]

My friend wants to do a full strip and cleaning of his colt python. I told him that it is unnecessary as it functions fine. He says he wants the whole thing clean just to know that it is clean. I've heard that the cylinders are hard to take out and it is easy to damage the gun. Is this true?
I'm pretty mechanically inclined and do all maintenance on my guns by myself. If it turns out that the python is beyond my abilities, then who should he take the gun to?
He's got a quote of 30$ for the cleaning by a "colt gunsmith" at Faith Armory in Menifee or Riverside or wherever they are located. It sounds like a good price.

Edit: he lives in the Riverside area in Menifee, and comes to LA often (locations given for gunsmith suggestions)

Suggestions? Links to instructions on full strip and reassembly?
Thanks,
Wilson

[G-forceJunkie]

Not sure if there is anything Colt specific, but for S&W's its typical to just pull the side plate off, hose it out with gunscrubber, and relube all the contact and pivot points.

[fennecfrank]

it's very easy to take out the cylinder and clean it. There's a screw on the right side of the Python as indicated in the picture below:



Use a screw driver to take it out. Just be careful that there are 2 parts beneath the screw: a little spring and a tiny part (they all come out after you take out the screw.

After that, rotate the cylinder out as you would to reload/unload. Then push it toward the muzzle, and the cylinder will be out!

[fennecfrank]

after you take out the cylinder assembly, use your finger and unscrew this part which you press to unload the shells.


(it could be tight......if it's too tight, put some fabrics around it and use a tool. after you unscrew it, be mindful that there's a spring (don't use it). You can also take out the other part on the other side of the cylinder (just use your finger and remove it).

Have fun cleaning.


As for the cleaning of the other parts.....it's better to have a gunsmith to do it.

[yzErnie]

after you unscrew it, be mindful that there's a spring (don't use it).

I'm guessing you mean don't lose it? That spring and the metal piece it sits in retains tension on the crane and is necessary.

[fennecfrank]

I'm guessing you mean don't lose it? That spring and the metal piece it sits in retains tension on the crane and is necessary.

yes, you were right: I meant "lose" instead of "use". I was typing fast (trying to finish everything and make a run to work; had tons of stuffs in mind at the same time as well). Thanks for the correction.

[spursnguns]

[GM4spd]

Unless you know what you are doing,do NOT try unscrewing the ejector
rod. Also,removing the cylinder and putting it back can result in some
UGLY scratching if you are not careful. You can clean the revolver in a very
thorough way without removing the cylinder and disassembling it. Pete

[hybridatsun350]

I would definitely not disassemble it unless it absolutely needs it, and it doesn't sound like that's the case. It's just too easy to mess up the heads of the screws and scratch stuff.

[fennecfrank]

I've own python for more than 10 years......I know what I'm talking about. I've done the same thing with Anaconda and King Cobra. Colt revolvers are made very well, and removing the cylinder is not complicated, it does not affect the action of the revolver. JUST DON'T LOSE THOSE TINY PARTS. I'm only talking about removing the cylinder. I already said, if you want to take apart parts other than the cylinder, take it to a gunsmith.

Unless you have a python and you KNOW anything I said was wrong, then say it. A lot of times, people just hear rumors and repeat them without actual experience.

[Wherryj]

Colt revolvers are like swiss watches and should not be tinkered with by garage smiths.

That seems to be a valid analogy, at least considering what Colt-and current Colt owners of firearms like the Python-appear to think that they are worth judging by the pricing.

Patek Phillipe seems to be a good Swiss watch manufacturer with which to compare Colt's pricing.

[yzErnie]

I've own python for more than 10 years......I know what I'm talking about. I've done the same thing with Anaconda and King Cobra. Colt revolvers are made very well, and removing the cylinder is not complicated, it does not affect the action of the revolver. JUST DON'T LOSE THOSE TINY PARTS. I'm only talking about removing the cylinder. I already said, if you want to take apart parts other than the cylinder, take it to a gunsmith.

Unless you have a python and you KNOW anything I said was wrong, then say it. A lot of times, people just hear rumors and repeat them without actual experience.

Good argument!! I don't find my Python that difficult a piece to work on. I realize folks have differing mechanical abilities but I have found you simply have to pay attention.

[fennecfrank]

Good argument!! I don't find my Python that difficult a piece to work on. I realize folks have differing mechanical abilities but I have found you simply have to pay attention.

Thanks brother.

I always take our the cylinder when I clean all my Colt revolvers. If I leave it on the revolver, it's easier for me to scratch the gun. One needs to use one hand to hold both the latch and the cylinder (don't forget the cylinder turns...) while using the other hand to clean it. It's easier to scratch the gun and one might ruin the latch (applying force, sometimes extra force) while using a brush to clean each shell holes in the cylinder. It's better and safer to remove the cylinder while cleaning.

it still pisses me off from reading one of the comments above. something I've done thousands of times and someone says that it's bad/wrong information and you can never take out the cylinder that way..... I've had modern Colt revolvers for more than 10 years and I'm very confident in this. I'll challenge anyone, if that's not the way to take out the cylinder, you can have my python, but....if you're wrong, give me a python.

Please, know the fact before you speak/type.

[spursnguns]

fennecfranc,

You previously wrote....

after you take out the cylinder assembly, use your finger and unscrew this part which you press to unload the shells.

(it could be tight......if it's too tight, put some fabrics around it and use a tool. after you unscrew it, be mindful that there's a spring (don't use it). You can also take out the other part on the other side of the cylinder (just use your finger and remove it).

I am glad that you have more than 10 years of experience. My over 40 years of working and shooting Colts (from "D" frames to New Services) tells me that you don't even know the names of the parts. You should not, as you say, "take out the other part on the other side of the cylinder (just use your finger and remove it)". The ratchet is factory staked and requires both a special wrench and a staking tool.

While cleaning a revolver; most knowledgeable shooters put it in a padded vice and have a contoured block to hold the cylinder open. If you are afraid that you may ruin the cylinder latch, as you put it, perhaps you should reassess your technique.

[fennecfrank]

When I write, I don't use technical terms so regular people can understand it!!

It does not require a special tool to take out those parts. A simple revolver cylinder take down from a colt modern revolver normally require a screw driver
! (unless the ejector rod is very tight)

I'm very shocked to learn that one with 40-year experience doesn't even know how to take the cylinder out. You're the one who should reassess your technique

fennecfranc,

You previously wrote....



I am glad that you have more than 10 years of experience. My over 40 years of working and shooting Colts (from "D" frames to New Services) tells me that you don't even know the names of the parts. You should not, as you say, "take out the other part on the other side of the cylinder (just use your finger and remove it)". The ratchet is factory staked and requires both a special wrench and a staking tool.

While cleaning a revolver; most knowledgeable shooters put it in a padded vice and have a contoured block to hold the cylinder open. If you are afraid that you may ruin the cylinder latch, as you put it, perhaps you should reassess your technique.