OLD Colt -2
This is a message for Old Colts and Spider 7115. In our discussion yesterday about the old 1903 colt a friend of mine has, I mentioned not being able to get the base pin out. I did some research and found out about the base pin bushing. Is it possible that the pin and bushing could be frozen together, and the cylinder is rotating easily on the bushing, but the pin won't come out of the bushing? He wants me to take it and give it a good cleaning, so if that is the case, what do I do? Also, he could find no numbers inside the grips. Does that mean replacements?
0
-
Yes, it's possible the cylinder base pin has rusted inside the bushing. Try soaking it in Kroil for 24 hours to loosen it up.
Be patient! I've seen a of of base pins destroyed by people using pliers, vice grips and prying tools trying to remove rusted ones.0 -
Would tapping it a little with a plastic hammer hurt? 0 -
To determine if the base pin and bushing are frozen together, watch the base pin and the bushing, at the front of the frame and cylinder, and cock the Colt. If both rotate, then they are probably frozen together. If the base pin doesn't rotate, but the bushing does, then the groove in the base pin release might not be aligning correctly and allowing the base pin to be removed. If the bushing is also frozen to the cylinder, then once you get the cylinder out of the gun you might have to use the base pin, inserted from the rear, to drive out the bushing. This all needs to be done with care so that you don't mar any parts of the gun.
More than likely old grease, not rust, has solidified and the base pin and bushing are temporarily frozen together. If you can't get it out using Spider's suggestion, then the best way to correct the problem is to disassemble the Single Action, primarily the removal of the hammer and in this case the traverse spring loaded base pin release. This will give clear access to the rear of the base pin so that something like a brass punch can be used to drive the base pin out of the bushing. This can also be accomplished without removing the hammer and with the hammer in the full cocked position, but it is much more difficult. It would help to try to get some Kroil or Hoppe's Number 9 down into the base pin and bushing to try to dissolve some of the solidified grease. It doesn't take too much of an effort to tap the pin out.
In 35+ years of collecting 1st Generation Colt Single Actions, the majority in the 1900-1905 range, the majority of the time the grips will not be marked inside with a full or partial serial number. I have a few theories on why some grips are marked, including collectors doing it because they mistakenly think they should be marked. The factory did mark grips inside, probably when a sufficient number were in the same production area and they needed to make sure that the correct grips stayed with the gun they had been fit to. If the grips that are on the gun are original period correct grips and they fit the Single Action perfectly; they are probably original to the gun.
Don't use Pliers or any other device to pull on the pin!0 -
Thanks guys. 0 -
This link will help you to properly disassemble the revolver if necessary:
http://www.gunreports.com/special_reports/handguns/Colt-Single-Action-Army-Models177-1.html0 -
Assuming the base pin and bushing have been lubed as much as possible, remove the grips, backstrap, hammer spring and hammer with hand as well as the cylinder base pin catch or retaining screw.
Using a brass or bronze punch measuring .250 0r slightly less, drive the cylinder pin out from the rear.
If you can only move it a little at a time, keep oiling and drive the pin back and forth till it is free enough to come out forward.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
6 comments