1950 Colt Officers Target

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Walkalong

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I have one with a "bolt" (cylinder catch) that needs help. The gun works, but you have to be careful as the bolt is short and you can rotate the cylinder clockwise (From the rear) when it is engaged. It won't slip out counter clockwise.

It is too short, shows damage on the top, and may have been welded/refit before (Missing spot/file marks/ugly top). My thought was to weld a bit of metal on the top of it and refit it. Sounds simple enough.

I have some welding and metal working experience, a good eye, a steady hand, and a curiosity killed the cat/I can do it even though I never have before attitude that usually doesn't get me in over my head. :oops:

So, what are my options, and what do y'all recommend? Thanks.
 

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Option One, send it to Master Colt pistolsmith Frank Glenn. He's a member on the Colt Forum and has done great work for other members.
He works to Colt factory standards and techniques.
His prices, turnaround, and quality are excellent.
He can install a new replacement bolt and give the gun a check up.

http://glenncustom.com/

Option Two, buy a new replica bolt from Jack First Gun Parts, then buy a copy of the Jerry Kuhnhausen Shop Manual Volume One on the Colt DA revolvers.

The Jack First replacement bolts require some very careful, knowledgeable fitting and that's not easy.
The Kuhnhausen Shop Manual was written as a training aid for Kuhnhausen's gunsmith students.
Since he trained gunsmiths for the factories he taught only factory type techniques. There's none of the usual old gunsmithing books descriptions on manufacturing parts, heating, silver soldering, and welding.
Kuhnhausen shows how to restore, not just repair.
This is how Colt did it.
The manual shows all Colt repairs in deep detail, but you need to actually read it. Kuhnhausen figured his students would be smart enough to read and understand the information without huge red arrows pointing to key data.

https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshop...r-officers-model-match/products/colt-e-i-bolt

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...revolvers-shop-manual-volume-i-prod25720.aspx

Sit down and STUDY the manual. Colt's are complicated actions that even expert gunsmiths have difficulty with understanding what's going on.
Each part has at least two or more functions, and these are not obviously related to each other.
Colt's are known as a "watchmaker's gun" for a good reason.
All critical operating surfaces are tiny and often not even noticed.

Once you have the manual and have studied it, sit down with your Colt and use the manual to figure out how it functions.
Then, using the manual follow the instructions on fitting a new bolt.
With the old Colt action either it's perfect or it isn't working properly.

Also, note that on older Colt's there's often other problems that you may not notice, especially timing issues.
The manual explains Colt timing, and in the older Colt action, timing is absolutely critical or the gun simply doesn't work properly.
 
Welding it might be an option (for the experienced) - but do bear in mind that this is a small and delicate part, the back half of the bolt is a spring and it's correct pressure against the rebound lever is very important to the timing. Furthermore, Colt bolts usually wear out at the back - where the tab engaging the rebound lever is, so in your case I suspect that it's a replacement with an used part from another revolver. I second Dfarriswheel's advice - get the Jack First bolt & Kuhnhausen's book.
 
Thanks guys.

I actually had that bolt at Jack First bookmarked, but that tells me for sure it is the right one.

So, pay Frank Glen and know it will be right, or jump off in the deep end and take my chances. Hmmm.............

Might be time to call Frank. :)
 
Yeah, I think a call to Frank is wise, welding on carbon steel parts ruins the heat treatment. Specifically you can get brittle areas next to the weld which will crack. so in effect you have one part with two alloys and a brittle spot in between.
 
I spoke with Glenn and he said to email him and he would send me shipping info. It's a nice old Colt, and deserves a pro's touch. He is going to replace the bolt, give it a checkup, and let me know what he recommends. Everything else "looks" like it is in great shape.

While I may have been able to make it "work", this way I will know it is right and it will serve me well for the rest of my years.

Thanks again. :)
 
I put it back together. Still functions. Yea!

And it doesn't slip past the notch now, maybe some crud was keeping the bolt from popping up as far as it could. Dunno.

Still, it is going to Glenn. Sounded like a nice down to earth fellow.
 

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Walkalong

Such a fine looking revolver deserves the proper care. You made the right choice in getting it fixed.
 
I was in Phoenix recently for business reasons and bought some gas just down the street from Glenn's shop apparently for the rental car. I would have stopped in if I'd I known where his shop was then. Good luck with your revolver improvement project.
 
Hope Glenn does a good job. Getting parts for a Colt is tough nowadays.
 
I second the vote for Frank Glenn. Smiths like him are a rapidly vanishing breed.
 
That's a great revolver. Frank has such a great reputation that I'm sure he didn't get by passing out lollipops. I think you did the wise move and now can enjoy shooting it forever. I have a great gunsmith here in town named Jim Kelly that has re-timed a couple of Colts and it was well worth the money. Jim is one of the most respected smiths in the country especially when it comes to restoration of old double barrel shotguns. That is his passion and sometimes I wait a little longer than I would like, but if it comes out of his shop it is right.
 
question for you: can you ship more than one revolver in one "overnight" shipment? Or do all handguns have to be shipped separately?
 
question for you: can you ship more than one revolver in one "overnight" shipment? Or do all handguns have to be shipped separately?
I have no idea.

I got an email today from Frank. He is done with the Colt (Replaced the bolt, checked everything else out, lubed it.) and said to just send him a check, so it won't be long before I can take it to the range. I'm excited. :)
 
My Colt came home today. It now locks up tight, and I do mean tight, on all six chambers. All I can say is wow, very nice work. I am a very happy camper. At $500 for the revolver, and $165 to fix it, I am happy. Broke, but very happy.

Same before pic. :)
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