Colt Huntsman....the assembly lock isn't disengaging

[mtenenhaus]

hi, wondering if anyone ran into this problem. not sure why this is happening.

i must have taken the pistol apart and put it back together 10 times, i've watched a bunch of videos and looked at photos. everything looks like it's in the correct position.

what i'm struggling with is the following: to take down the pistol one locks back the recoil spring by engaging the assembly lock. Subsequently, one then presses the trigger and then removes the mainspring housing/back grip assembly...this allows you to remove the slide...no problem

when i reinstall the slide with the recoil spring captured by the assembly lock.... and then complete the assembly, what i'm experiencing is that the recoil spring does not disengage from the assembly lock...this occurs both with and without the magazine and with and without a dummy round.

anyone have any ideas?

thanks

[56tchr]

try....

If you pull the bolt completely rearward, the recoil spring should disengage....

[mtenenhaus]

56tchr, i understand and i appreciate your having mentioned it...but in this case unfortunately the recoil spring unit would not disengage despite multiple attempts.

what i finally ended up doing was removing the capture spring assembly yet again however this time i put another bend in it...my thinking is it would further secure the spring in the slide slot while still allowing satisfactory access and tension to the recoil spring rod.

...originally the spring is kind of flat till the most distal 1/3 or so when it bends up to enable it to hit the recoil spring rod assembly....i added another bend at the junction of the proximal to middle 1/3 in the opposite direction (bending down....since we're looking at the inverted slide, down is in the direction of the top of the slide).

not it runs like a champ.

the nice thing is i've become rather adept at a full takedown of the pistol.

[56tchr]

well done

I'm glad you have solved your initial problem..... I would caution you in adding bends to the recoil rod spring retainer.... my recollection is that this piece of spring steel is flat rather than bent in any way.... it needs to ride between the recoil spring/rod assembly and the bottom of the slide as the bolt moves forward and back .... I guess as long as it works.... spring retainer is still available and easily replaced if it should become inoperable.... good luck

[mtenenhaus]

thank you. i'm going to see if i can find a replacement part just in case.

last eve i came across a nice reference for troubleshooting and repairing these pistols: https://www.colt22.com/repairs/index.html

the reference discusses addressing the assembly lock spring contour https://colt22.com/repairs/assylockt...ock_3_007.html

i like these pistols a lot, very forgiving to shoot and quite accurate...though i must admit my Browning variant (Challenger) is even more refined and accurate. One day i'd like to find a nice Medalist. I see them out there from time to time but they're pretty expensive.

[FeuerFrei]

^^^ Poster is correct https://colt22.com/repairs/index.html

I use this site for my match target needs/tips/references etc..

[dfletcher]

thank you. i'm going to see if i can find a replacement part just in case.

last eve i came across a nice reference for troubleshooting and repairing these pistols: https://www.colt22.com/repairs/index.html

the reference discusses addressing the assembly lock spring contour https://colt22.com/repairs/assylockt...ock_3_007.html

i like these pistols a lot, very forgiving to shoot and quite accurate...though i must admit my Browning variant (Challenger) is even more refined and accurate. One day i'd like to find a nice Medalist. I see them out there from time to time but they're pretty expensive.

Numrich Arms is a pretty good source for Colt parts.

Something to consider re magazines. Magazines for the Beretta NEOS are pretty easily adapted to the Woodsman series. I've done a bunch, there's a YouTube tutorial on it. Basically, remove the floorplate (or modify existing)and replace with a metal Colt one, dress down the button (I put it in a drill, spin against a file) and smooth the plastic follower. Works with the Medalist also.

1st one is a bit of a PITA to get right but once you do it duplication is easy. Only $25.00 vs +$125.00.