Colt Challenger

privateside · December 30, 2011, 02:48 PM

I inherited an old colt challenger from my grandfather when he passed away several years ago. Needless to say it needed a good cleaning but as everyone probably already knows they are a bear to put back together. I finally figured out how to get the recoil spring back into its channel and reassemble it but there is a problem. The hammer doesn't always stay cocked. There is tension on the slide, but if allowed to fall on its own the hammer releases. I've not felt safe putting any bullets through it since this new development. Anyone have any suggestions? Its a fantastic little gun and I'd love to be able to take it out from time to time.

privateside · January 13, 2012, 02:39 PM

I took it out today and field stripped it again to check and make sure that everything was in place inside. The sear is in the proper position as is the recoil spring and mainspring housing. If I had to guess one of the springs is going bad. Does anyone have any guess as to which it would be?

Bill DeShivs · January 13, 2012, 02:55 PM

James K · January 13, 2012, 09:19 PM

The sear spring could be weak, but I would first check the hammer notch to be sure no one has messed around with it trying to lighten the trigger pull. Same with the sear. Once convinced the sear and hammer are OK, you might try tweaking the sear spring a little or replace it.

Jim

December 30, 2011, 02:48 PM	#1
privateside Member Join Date: December 30, 2011 Posts: 19	Colt Challenger I inherited an old colt challenger from my grandfather when he passed away several years ago. Needless to say it needed a good cleaning but as everyone probably already knows they are a bear to put back together. I finally figured out how to get the recoil spring back into its channel and reassemble it but there is a problem. The hammer doesn't always stay cocked. There is tension on the slide, but if allowed to fall on its own the hammer releases. I've not felt safe putting any bullets through it since this new development. Anyone have any suggestions? Its a fantastic little gun and I'd love to be able to take it out from time to time.

January 13, 2012, 02:55 PM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,987	__________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 13, 2012, 02:39 PM	#2
privateside Member Join Date: December 30, 2011 Posts: 19	I took it out today and field stripped it again to check and make sure that everything was in place inside. The sear is in the proper position as is the recoil spring and mainspring housing. If I had to guess one of the springs is going bad. Does anyone have any guess as to which it would be?

January 13, 2012, 09:19 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The sear spring could be weak, but I would first check the hammer notch to be sure no one has messed around with it trying to lighten the trigger pull. Same with the sear. Once convinced the sear and hammer are OK, you might try tweaking the sear spring a little or replace it. Jim