A little help please...

deepvalley · March 8, 2011, 01:14 PM

A friend of mine has a pre war Colt Woodsman in 22cal and he is having some problems. He recently took it out to the range and it fired well until he let it rest a few minutes while using his other gun. When he picked it back up and switched off the safety the pistol went off! It then cycled another round, fired again, then jammed! This whole time my friend never touched the trigger! Does anyone have an idea as to what could have caused this or know anything that would fix this problem? Any advise would be helpful.

James K · March 8, 2011, 05:59 PM

It sounds like there is not enough sear engagement or the sear spring is too light. But there could be other problems, and I strongly recommend taking the gun to a gunsmith for a check up. That gun is defintely unsafe; do not load it again until it is repaired.

Jim

**Unclenick** · March 9, 2011, 12:36 PM

If the gun has never had the trigger modified, it may be as simple as old fouling build-up inside the gun that needs to be cleaned out. But as Jim suggests, you want a competent gunsmith to make that determination. He'll take it completely apart and detail clean it to check the engagement and the tension of the springs. If the old springs have taken a set, new ones may be needed.

deepvalley · March 10, 2011, 12:53 PM

Thanks guys, Iwill let him know what you have recommended and he can go from there!

mete · March 10, 2011, 02:22 PM

I worked on some of those pistols and it's scarey when it happens !!

It need s very careful trigger/sear work by someone who really knows how to do it ! Until then don't use it.

March 8, 2011, 01:14 PM	#1
deepvalley Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: I live in a small community where God and family come first followed quickly by farming and hunting. It is located in the heart of the western NC Blue Ridge Mountains. May God bless Barnardsville, NC. Posts: 57	A little help please... A friend of mine has a pre war Colt Woodsman in 22cal and he is having some problems. He recently took it out to the range and it fired well until he let it rest a few minutes while using his other gun. When he picked it back up and switched off the safety the pistol went off! It then cycled another round, fired again, then jammed! This whole time my friend never touched the trigger! Does anyone have an idea as to what could have caused this or know anything that would fix this problem? Any advise would be helpful.

March 9, 2011, 12:36 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	If the gun has never had the trigger modified, it may be as simple as old fouling build-up inside the gun that needs to be cleaned out. But as Jim suggests, you want a competent gunsmith to make that determination. He'll take it completely apart and detail clean it to check the engagement and the tension of the springs. If the old springs have taken a set, new ones may be needed. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 10, 2011, 02:22 PM	#5
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	I worked on some of those pistols and it's scarey when it happens !! It need s very careful trigger/sear work by someone who really knows how to do it ! Until then don't use it. __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

March 8, 2011, 05:59 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It sounds like there is not enough sear engagement or the sear spring is too light. But there could be other problems, and I strongly recommend taking the gun to a gunsmith for a check up. That gun is defintely unsafe; do not load it again until it is repaired. Jim

March 10, 2011, 12:53 PM	#4
deepvalley Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: I live in a small community where God and family come first followed quickly by farming and hunting. It is located in the heart of the western NC Blue Ridge Mountains. May God bless Barnardsville, NC. Posts: 57	Thanks guys, Iwill let him know what you have recommended and he can go from there!