colt python cleaning

[fennecfrank]

time to end this once for all. never made a youtube video before, can't believe I did it under this circumstance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naixtwSCkL4

As you can see, I was taking my time, but still managed to do it under 45 seconds.

and yes, I picked up that pink screw driver purposely. NO SPECIAL TOOLS NEEDED!

[BrocLuno]

OK, but what's the point? Is the OP's friends gun jamming or dragging? Is the pull gritty?

What's the point of taking a gun apart to clean it if it's functioning fine?

[fennecfrank]

OK, but what's the point? Is the OP's friends gun jamming or dragging? Is the pull gritty?

What's the point of taking a gun apart to clean it if it's functioning fine?

if you read through all the posts you'll understand.

the point is, you can take out the cylinder and clean the whole gun better than leaving the cylinder in there. if you're not satisfied after doing this and want to do some more, take it to a gunsmith.

someone claims that my way was wrong and it can't be done on colt revolvers. In addition, special tools are needed. I just showed in the video above that it can be done.

[dls]

I've owned My Anaconda for about 20yrs,since new. I rarely fire it and I've never taken the cylinder out. It looks fairly simple,I may try it just to give it a good 20yr cleaning.

[dfletcher]

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

I'll go under the theory your friend is going to have to do something to satisfy his curiosity, so here's my suggestion.

First, he must have good fitting screwdrivers. If he doesn't have those he runs the risk of scratching the gun, burring up the screw heads. So that would be step one - if he's not willing to do that, he should pay $30.00 to get the gun cleaned.

Using the appropriate screwdrivers, he should first remove the grips. Then unscrewing the frontmost screw on the right side of the frame, remove the cylinder. Personally I would strip the cylinder any further, just Hoppes and oil it.

I would go as far as removing the sideplate and stop. To remove the sideplate remove the screw on the left front by the cylinder opening and the other one in front of the grip. Colt sideplates are not as tightly fit as Smiths so he may be able to lift it off by hand. If not, a very light tap or two will do it.

With the sideplate off he should do nothing but look. A Colt revolver can be cocked with the cylinder removed - he shouldn't do that just yet.

What he should see is the trigger, hammer, hand, trigger rebound strut and mainspring and a few other small parts. Tapping may have drifted the hand out of its hole a bit, he can press it back in if it's up a bit. Note that the trigger rebound lever presses down on the hand from inside & behind - he may have to lift it up a touch to fully seat the hand in its pivot hole on the trigger.

He should be able to see and clean nearly everything with the revolver in this condition. He can SLOWLY thumb cock the revolver and see how parts interact. Don't press the trigger & let the hammer fall, don't work the trigger DA style. With the sideplate off the parts will tend to "drift" off their pins, a little tap on the hammer, trigger & hand will reseat.

Hopefully this cures the need to clean and curiosity - he'll also be able to see how the parts work. One thing very different about this model (and D frames) Colts from Smiths and Rugers is the parts are interdependent and a change on one has an impact on the other. A new hand, for example, must be fitted for lock up and to the rebound lever and can effect the trigger pull. A new rebound lever can effect timing, a new hammer can effect timing & lock up. All sorts of unintended consequences inside that little gun.

I think I got it right, but if I got my chronology wrong or missed something I'm sure (and hope) someone will correct the above.

[biogenic]

use some simple green. soak... rinse...dry...lube... DONE

[fennecfrank]

I've owned My Anaconda for about 20yrs,since new. I rarely fire it and I've never taken the cylinder out. It looks fairly simple,I may try it just to give it a good 20yr cleaning.

Yes, it's very simple and easy. Just follow the instruction or the video. I've done the same thing with my detective special, king cobra, anaconda and 3 other pythons. Be mindful of that first screw, it might be very tight. Be careful with the screw driver. You don't want to scratch that snake.
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The thing that I forgot to do before posting that video was to wait until the guy accept my challenge as posted previously. Oh well, there goes a free python.

Again, please stop spreading rumors online, especially when you accuse of someone posting bad/wrong information and claiming all those years of experience but that individual who can prove you wrong.

I love the internet but I'm tired of those self-proclaimed experts.

[Gress]

Nice vid fennecfrank!
It really helps to see how to do it and it seems exactly how you explained it. Thanks for posting.

[Sturnovik]

Yes, it's very simple and easy. Just follow the instruction or the video. I've done the same thing with my detective special, king cobra, anaconda and 3 other pythons. Be mindful of that first screw, it might be very tight. Be careful with the screw driver. You don't want to scratch that snake.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The thing that I forgot to do before posting that video was to wait until the guy accept my challenge as posted previously. Oh well, there goes a free python.

Again, please stop spreading rumors online, especially when you accuse of someone posting bad/wrong information and claiming all those years of experience but that individual who can prove you wrong.

I love the internet but I'm tired of those self-proclaimed experts.

I only shoot and for the most part like Smiths, but what does Colt have in place of the Python? Do they still make a revolver of that size/type? Seems like they have alot of classics/remakes. Wouldn't mind shooting the Cobra.

[fennecfrank]

I only shoot and for the most part like Smiths, but what does Colt have in place of the Python? Do they still make a revolver of that size/type? Seems like they have alot of classics/remakes. Wouldn't mind shooting the Cobra.

Unfortunately, Colt has stopped making double action revolvers for several years. You can only get one used. I've heard rumors that Colt might start making Pythons and have them available next year. Never confirmed with Colt so I don't know if it's true or not. Hopefully this rumor is true!

[fennecfrank]

I only shoot and for the most part like Smiths, but what does Colt have in place of the Python? Do they still make a revolver of that size/type? Seems like they have alot of classics/remakes. Wouldn't mind shooting the Cobra.

I just looked up Colt and realized that they got a new website: http://www.coltsmfg.com/

don't know when they updated it, for sure it is much nicer than the one I went last year. check it out.

unfortunately, no double action revolvers.......

[yzErnie]

I thought you could still get Pythons and such but only by special order from the Custom Shop.

[sirgiles]

what? no youtube rebuttal from spursnguns? something technical (from 40 years of experience) for us commoners?
i've had my dads python for ages and i don't know the names of the parts. i guess im lucky its still working.

[Sturnovik]

I just looked up Colt and realized that they got a new website: http://www.coltsmfg.com/

don't know when they updated it, for sure it is much nicer than the one I went last year. check it out.

unfortunately, no double action revolvers.......

Thats a bummer.

[fennecfrank]

Thats a bummer.

You can always find used ones. I see pythons all the time. However, I had trouble finding king cobra and anaconda.

I thought you could still get Pythons and such but only by special order from the Custom Shop.

Hmmm, didn't know about this. I'll try to give them a call tomorrow to find out.

what? no youtube rebuttal from spursnguns? something technical (from 40 years of experience) for us commoners?
i've had my dads python for ages and i don't know the names of the parts. i guess im lucky its still working.

It will be very intersting to hear what he has to say. Never stated if he owns a python or not, attacking my previous posts that I already mentioned that I did them in a hurry and he never dared to accept my "if this is not the way, I'll give away my python but if it is, you give me a python" challenge. Then he questioned my techniques.

Anyways....

I would like to thank all the supports from fellow calgunners, either on this thread or through other means. Thanks guys!