Colt Python problem

Handy · March 30, 2005, 01:33 PM

A friend has a Python with a weird problem. We were talking about taking it to a pro, but I was curious if there is something real obvious going on:

The gun shoots fine, but when the cylinder is open, the cylinder latch comes to a rest too far forward. This blocks the cylinder from being swung shut, requiring you to manually retract the latch to get it out of the way. Seems to work normally when the cylinder is closed.

Thanks for your perspective.

nwobhm · March 30, 2005, 03:36 PM

Had a 4" Python Elite that did the exact same thing. Cylinder jammed when it got hot too. Sold at a loss. Send it back, they will fix it, bet it will come back with another problem too. Gotta love those $1,000 guns that don't run right out of the box.

PythonGuy · March 30, 2005, 03:57 PM

Handy · March 30, 2005, 07:33 PM

The cylinder "swings" on the end of the crane. There's nothing I can do about that. Would you have prefered the word "pivot"?

Anyone know something about these guns aside from semantic issues?

PythonGuy · March 30, 2005, 08:56 PM

PythonGuy · March 30, 2005, 08:57 PM

Dfariswheel · March 30, 2005, 09:01 PM

The latch is retained in place, and it's movement limited forward by the latch pin.

That's the center pin in the frame that enters the hole in the ejector on the cylinder.

On the latch pin, is a second, smaller pin that's at 90 degrees to the latch pin.

This pin enters a hole in the latch, and the two parts work together:
The latch pulls the latch pin back to unlock the cylinder, and serves as a "ramp" to allow the cylinder to push the latch and latch pin backward.

The latch pin serves to keep the latch in place, and prevents it from moving too far forward.

I'd suspect either the latch or the latch pin are either broken, or someone has altered something.

These parts are fairly robust, and rarely have a problem as descibed.

I'd recommend a GOOD gunsmith.

The cylinder's ejector SHOULD push the latch open and allow the cylinder to close WITHOUT pulling the latch back.

That's what the bevel on the latch is there for.

Some people believe that's it's easier on the gun to pull the latch back manually when closing the cylinder, but it shouldn't be necessary.

If you have a gun where the latch isn't being pushed back by the cylinder when it's closed, then you need to push a little harder, or you have a defective or gummed-up latch assembly.

PythonGuy · March 30, 2005, 09:58 PM

I'm just in the "Some people believe that's it's easier on the gun to pull the latch back manually when closing the cylinder" camp, I always do it that way, oh well.

**4V50 Gary** · March 30, 2005, 10:17 PM

How about a good cleaning of the sideplate for starters? I'm wondering if there's some gunk that's fouling it up.

Handy · March 30, 2005, 11:27 PM

Gary, I can see how crud would limit movement, but not increase it. Always worthwhile, though.

Dfaris, sounds like a trip to Colt might be the most appropriate. Why pay a gunsmith of unknown ability when Colt will do it for free?

Dfariswheel · March 30, 2005, 11:30 PM

Or Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters in Pittsburgh PA.

They used to be Colt's warrenty repair over-flow service.

They have a good supply of parts, and they do factory-level repair work.

I used to use them for my warenty work, and from recent reports from people who've used them recently, they're as good as ever.

Handy · March 30, 2005, 11:54 PM

Thanks, I'll pass that on.

James K · March 31, 2005, 08:45 AM

Some folks pull the latch back when closing the cylinder because they worry a lot about the ratchet marring the latch. OK, if that is the sort of thing you worry about, but you shouldn't HAVE TO pull back the latch; the ratchet should cam it back as the cylinder closes.

Jim

Dave Sample · April 1, 2005, 09:05 PM

There are very few smiths who can work on these fine revolvers. Colt lost their ability to make them a few years ago, but maybe they hired some of the old guys back. They are wonderful guns.

**4V50 Gary** · April 1, 2005, 09:22 PM

Handy, I was thinking along the lines that build-up is behind the spring and in the hole where the spring rests; thereby pushing the spring forward. It's a rather simple and non-mechanical operation consisting of the latch, thumbpiece, spring and a nylon bearing (which has nothing to do with the spring or latch).

March 30, 2005, 01:33 PM	#1
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	Colt Python problem A friend has a Python with a weird problem. We were talking about taking it to a pro, but I was curious if there is something real obvious going on: The gun shoots fine, but when the cylinder is open, the cylinder latch comes to a rest too far forward. This blocks the cylinder from being swung shut, requiring you to manually retract the latch to get it out of the way. Seems to work normally when the cylinder is closed. Thanks for your perspective.

March 30, 2005, 03:57 PM	#3
PythonGuy Junior member Join Date: November 4, 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 456	Last edited by PythonGuy; March 31, 2005 at 01:24 PM.

March 30, 2005, 08:56 PM	#5
PythonGuy Junior member Join Date: November 4, 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 456	Last edited by PythonGuy; March 31, 2005 at 01:24 PM.

March 30, 2005, 08:57 PM	#6
PythonGuy Junior member Join Date: November 4, 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 456	Last edited by PythonGuy; March 31, 2005 at 01:25 PM.

March 30, 2005, 10:17 PM	#9
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	How about a good cleaning of the sideplate for starters? I'm wondering if there's some gunk that's fouling it up. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 30, 2005, 03:36 PM	#2
nwobhm Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2004 Posts: 127	Had a 4" Python Elite that did the exact same thing. Cylinder jammed when it got hot too. Sold at a loss. Send it back, they will fix it, bet it will come back with another problem too. Gotta love those $1,000 guns that don't run right out of the box.

March 30, 2005, 07:33 PM	#4
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	The cylinder "swings" on the end of the crane. There's nothing I can do about that. Would you have prefered the word "pivot"? Anyone know something about these guns aside from semantic issues?

March 30, 2005, 09:01 PM	#7
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The latch is retained in place, and it's movement limited forward by the latch pin. That's the center pin in the frame that enters the hole in the ejector on the cylinder. On the latch pin, is a second, smaller pin that's at 90 degrees to the latch pin. This pin enters a hole in the latch, and the two parts work together: The latch pulls the latch pin back to unlock the cylinder, and serves as a "ramp" to allow the cylinder to push the latch and latch pin backward. The latch pin serves to keep the latch in place, and prevents it from moving too far forward. I'd suspect either the latch or the latch pin are either broken, or someone has altered something. These parts are fairly robust, and rarely have a problem as descibed. I'd recommend a GOOD gunsmith. The cylinder's ejector SHOULD push the latch open and allow the cylinder to close WITHOUT pulling the latch back. That's what the bevel on the latch is there for. Some people believe that's it's easier on the gun to pull the latch back manually when closing the cylinder, but it shouldn't be necessary. If you have a gun where the latch isn't being pushed back by the cylinder when it's closed, then you need to push a little harder, or you have a defective or gummed-up latch assembly.

March 30, 2005, 09:58 PM	#8
PythonGuy Junior member Join Date: November 4, 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 456	I'm just in the "Some people believe that's it's easier on the gun to pull the latch back manually when closing the cylinder" camp, I always do it that way, oh well.

March 30, 2005, 11:27 PM	#10
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	Gary, I can see how crud would limit movement, but not increase it. Always worthwhile, though. Dfaris, sounds like a trip to Colt might be the most appropriate. Why pay a gunsmith of unknown ability when Colt will do it for free?

March 30, 2005, 11:30 PM	#11
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Or Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters in Pittsburgh PA. They used to be Colt's warrenty repair over-flow service. They have a good supply of parts, and they do factory-level repair work. I used to use them for my warenty work, and from recent reports from people who've used them recently, they're as good as ever.

March 30, 2005, 11:54 PM	#12
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	Thanks, I'll pass that on.

March 31, 2005, 08:45 AM	#13
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Some folks pull the latch back when closing the cylinder because they worry a lot about the ratchet marring the latch. OK, if that is the sort of thing you worry about, but you shouldn't HAVE TO pull back the latch; the ratchet should cam it back as the cylinder closes. Jim

April 1, 2005, 09:05 PM	#14
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	There are very few smiths who can work on these fine revolvers. Colt lost their ability to make them a few years ago, but maybe they hired some of the old guys back. They are wonderful guns.

April 1, 2005, 09:22 PM	#15
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	Handy, I was thinking along the lines that build-up is behind the spring and in the hole where the spring rests; thereby pushing the spring forward. It's a rather simple and non-mechanical operation consisting of the latch, thumbpiece, spring and a nylon bearing (which has nothing to do with the spring or latch). __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*