1860 colt take down.

[scrat]

Ok

1. drive the wedge out
2. pull the hammer to half cock.
3. un clip the loading lever applying slight pressure will remove the barrel
4. remove the cylinder.
5 pull the hammer all the way back holding it pull the trigger then lower the hammer
6. remove the two screws on top of back strap. Remove the bottom screw of the back strap.
7 now remove the back strap and hand grips
8. unscrew the main spring screw remove the main spring
9. remove the two trigger guard screws back and forward screw
10 remove the bolt spring screw
11 remove the sear and bolt spring
12 remove the bolt and trigger screws
13 remove the bolt and trigger
14 remove the hammer screw
15 slide down the hammer and hand spring

[scrat]

Ok on these old colts machine oil and a honing stone is the best thing to use. a honing stone will remove the rust on the internals and not mess anything up. clean it up good polish everything then get read to put it back together.

[scrat]

[scrat]

Ok the picture is from and 1851 however both of them are about the same except for the barrel and front loading lever. The internals are the exact same.
To put it back together.

1. take the hand spring put it in the slot on the hammer. then carefully slide it up the slot on the frame until the hammer aligns with the bolt hole.
2 put in the hammer screw
3 put in the bolt and trigger
4 screw both items down (note the trigger should point straight down)
5 replace the sear and bolt spring screw.
NOW THE FUN PART
6 screw on the main spring to the trigger guard semi tight
7 screw in the front trigger guard screw semi loose. NOW put the main spring below the hammer roller. You will have to apply pressure to the trigger guard keeping it closed. Put in the two remaining trigger screws while apply pressure. Once done you can releas pressure tighten up trigger guard screws make sure main spring is straight then tighten.
9 Take the back strap. put in the two top screws loose. align the bottom then put in this screw and tighten then tighten the top.
10 try the gun half cock, full and pulling the trigger.
11 if ok then continue if not then repeat the steps.
12 put the cylinder back on.
13 put the barrel on and tap in the wedge. Not all the way you should be able to turn the cylinder while the gun is at half cock if you can not back out the wedge a little.

[scrat]

Now the best thing to do if you have not take one of these apart is to practice do it a couple of times there are only 30 pieces to a colt. they are pretty easy to take apart having a good screw driver set that will fit the slots is important. if need be purchase some and file them down so they fit properly

[Tallship]

Umm, Scrat, I think you want to drive the wedge OUT before taking the gun apart.

[scrat]

hahahha ok i corrected that