Python hammer play?

Monkeyleg · January 24, 2001, 06:05 PM

While dry-snapping the nickel Python I just picked up, I noticed some marring of the finish on the hammer where it enters the frame. I didn't notice it when I inspected the gun the first time last Saturday. Anyway, I found that there's a few thousandths of sideplay on the hammer in that frame channel. I compared it to a blued Python a dealer has and it seems to be about the same. Both my gun and the dealer's are from the 70's and have been fired a bit. Is this normal or has something worn? I never noticed any play like this on my S&W's.

Thanks for any replies.

Dick

George Stringer · January 25, 2001, 07:59 AM

Dick, it may be due to wear and considered normal but I've seen a lot of Pythons that didn't have any side play. The way to fix it is to make washers from shim stock that are placed on either side of the hammer to keep it centered. George

Monkeyleg · January 25, 2001, 06:45 PM

Thanks, George. I'm still trying to find that website that has detailed instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble many modern firearms. I'm a bit leary about taking the hammer out of the gun, since I've never worked on a Colt before. I assume that the shim would go on the hammer pin. Yes? I'm sure I'll figure it out once I have it apart, but I don't want springs flying all over when I remove the sideplate.

What's _really_ bugging me about this is that I don't remember seeing those marks on the hammer when I inspected the gun. If they were there and I didn't check, that's fine. If there were no marks, that means the guy who sold it to me replaced or replated the hammer and suckered me.

Dick

George Stringer · January 26, 2001, 09:40 AM

Dick, I don't know what website you're referring to but if you find it please post it. I'd like to have something like that to refer folks to. Yes. The shim(s) go on the hammer pin. A very good book on this type of work is "Pistolsmithing" by George C. Nonte and I think Kuhnhausen has a shop manual out on Colt revolvers. That would probably be the better of the 2 for your pistol because it is Colt specific. George

bfoster · January 27, 2001, 10:23 AM

Kuhnhausen has two books covering the various models of Colt revolvers. Volume 1 covers D,E, & I frames. The Python is an I frame. The book is available from Brownell's

Bob

January 24, 2001, 06:05 PM	#1
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,625	While dry-snapping the nickel Python I just picked up, I noticed some marring of the finish on the hammer where it enters the frame. I didn't notice it when I inspected the gun the first time last Saturday. Anyway, I found that there's a few thousandths of sideplay on the hammer in that frame channel. I compared it to a blued Python a dealer has and it seems to be about the same. Both my gun and the dealer's are from the 70's and have been fired a bit. Is this normal or has something worn? I never noticed any play like this on my S&W's. Thanks for any replies. Dick

January 25, 2001, 07:59 AM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Dick, it may be due to wear and considered normal but I've seen a lot of Pythons that didn't have any side play. The way to fix it is to make washers from shim stock that are placed on either side of the hammer to keep it centered. George

January 25, 2001, 06:45 PM	#3
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,625	Thanks, George. I'm still trying to find that website that has detailed instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble many modern firearms. I'm a bit leary about taking the hammer out of the gun, since I've never worked on a Colt before. I assume that the shim would go on the hammer pin. Yes? I'm sure I'll figure it out once I have it apart, but I don't want springs flying all over when I remove the sideplate. What's _really_ bugging me about this is that I don't remember seeing those marks on the hammer when I inspected the gun. If they were there and I didn't check, that's fine. If there were no marks, that means the guy who sold it to me replaced or replated the hammer and suckered me. Dick

January 26, 2001, 09:40 AM	#4
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Dick, I don't know what website you're referring to but if you find it please post it. I'd like to have something like that to refer folks to. Yes. The shim(s) go on the hammer pin. A very good book on this type of work is "Pistolsmithing" by George C. Nonte and I think Kuhnhausen has a shop manual out on Colt revolvers. That would probably be the better of the 2 for your pistol because it is Colt specific. George

January 27, 2001, 10:23 AM	#5
bfoster Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: N. of Fords Switch, OK, USA Posts: 297	Kuhnhausen has two books covering the various models of Colt revolvers. Volume 1 covers D,E, & I frames. The Python is an I frame. The book is available from Brownell's Bob