Colt Army 1860 still won't shoot,buyers beware!

[K.A.T.]

I bought a Colt signature series on a auction site that was described as being shot very little, when I got the gun I was not really disapointed, the gun looked great.This was my first experience with an auction or cap and ball revolver.I found this web site and joined up to learn about my new hobby,and soon learned that I needed to take the gun apart to become familiar with it for cleaning purposes.I found that the gun had not been cleaned properly,not really in bad shape but a little dirty. While cleaning I discovered the trigger spring was broke and replaced it with the wire style. Now I'm ready to go! Wrong! I discovered the hand was worn and not turning the cylinder all the way to lock every time, O.k. I'll order a new bolt and hand assy. from Dixie Gun Works, no big deal I'll get a screw replacement package while I'm at it.Wrong! These parts and screws won't fit! I was so frustated,wanted to shoot so bad,what to do now?Found a new one in the box,unfired,had to have it,wife is ready to kill me now!Got it today,it is a beauty,a real work of art,how can I take this out and shoot it? Maybe,yea,probally will,I believe I'll wait a little while,whats the hurry right? Back to the used one,yea,I guess I'll try some Uberti parts now,I hope they work! I really got bit by this revolver bug.They say you pay for your education,I'm getting one real quick!

 

[mec]

Uberti parts should be usable- a bit oversized so that you can fit it to your individual gun. there may be some variations. I lost a wedge screw for a uberti paterson from 1991. the replacement I ordered from VTI is a different size/smaller.

 

[Old Dragoon]

Uberti made the castings for the 2nd and 3rd gen (sig Series)Colts, Uberti parts will work, but internals parts most always need a bit of fitting.

BTW I feel the same way. I have a 2nd Gen "C" Series '51 Colt here that hasn't been fired yet. I came to me unfired and unturned. I had to take it apart to get all the factory grease out of it, It too was very dirty(Grease and 32 years of dust in the air) It has been turned now once or twice,and I stoned the action, but I have not got out to shoot it yet. In the mean time I got a Pietta '51 and haven't shot that one either, but it is ready to go to the wall, as is it's sister a Pietta '58 Remy that sports my UBERTI R & D 44 Rem conversion cylinder. This isn't supposed to fit the Pietta, but it does and it works like it was made for it.

 

[Bad Flynch]

If you need a longer hand, there are two methods to lengthen the existing hand that can bail you out of a pinch. It depends on how hard the hand is and your willingness to try:

First, is that the hand can be stretched by peening with a ball-peen hammer. Simply place the hand on a hard, flat surface and strike it. Strike the flat side and do so a few hits at a time. This can actually lengthen it quite a bit.

Second is to get a hard tool and roll-up a lip on the step that needs to be higher. What you are doing is raising metal from, say, the front of the ledge to form the lip on the top side of the ledge.

It will not hurt to try this, as the existing hand is apparently not right. Measure the threads with the appropriate thread gage, and then call Cimarron and see if their Uberti parts will work. I thought that the threads on these were the same as the originals, i.e., an American thread. If so, Gun Parts (Numrich) would likely have them for an original and Dixie, too, if they understood that original threads were needed.

I hope that you find out, as I have some of these fine revolvers and I like them and shoot them. I called the original Colt contractor and talked to a nice fellow, who told me that they had no more parts--not even screws.

 

[K.A.T.]

Thanks Bad Flynch, I did get the hand to fit I got from Dixie,after a lot of work.It will turn the cylinder where it needs to be,but it trys to turn the cylinder before the cylinder bolt releases,so the cylinder will not move.The hand engages the cylinder before the cam on the hammer can release the bolt,it just locks it down.There is a gun smith right up the road that is real good with saa colts,at this point I think I will turn it over to him.I'll get all the info on parts and screws and let you know.

 

[K.A.T.]

The 1860 is now ready to go! I filed the hand down a little bit shorter and it worked great! I almost gave up a little too soon.I will still see what I can find out about what screws will work.Finally an end to three frustrating weeks.Lets go burn some powder!!