Loading lever falls down on 51 Navy/Colt?

[Beartracker]

For the past few day's my loading lever has been dropping down when I shoot. Not all the time but every now and then. Yesterday it did it 4 out of 6 shots.It latches so tight that I can't force it down and the spring in the latch feels plenty strong enough. Anyone have any idea whats causing this in my 51 Colt? Where's a good place to buy a new spring for the latch? Thanks, mike

 

[Old Fuff]

I suspect that there is too much gap between the end of the loading lever and the barrel catch. Drive out the little pin at the end of the loading lever and remove the loading lever latch and spring. Be sure these parts and the hole they go into are not plugged up with grease.

Notice that there is a slot in the front of the latch. Use a needle file to slightly deepen it, and then lightly oil and reassemble the latch and spring. You may have to make a new pin. Advancing the latch may also allow you to use a longer spring. You should be able to find something at your local hardware store or at a gunsmith's shop. If not, Brownells sells assorted sizes of spring stock that you can cut to length.

Mr. Remington is shaking his head and saying, "Ya see... ya see... Sam Colt never did know how to make a good gun...

 

[Beartracker]

Mr. Remington is shaking his head and saying, "Ya see... ya see... Sam Colt never did know how to make a good gun...

Well, I won't go that far..... yet!
Thanks for the ideas Old Fluff. Received a few others on the other site too.Now if I can just get my wife to forget her "Honey Do" list I will have time to check it out, Mike

 

[Moondoggie]

I know I'll get flamed for posting blasphemy....

but I'd just put a rubber band around rod & bbl, of if you want to go extra fancy get a really small O ring to stretch around it. Ye olde "Field Expedient" methode.

Filing, fitting, spring finding, making a pin.....yawn.

 

[Beartracker]

Moondoggie, . A rubber band would work but it's just not my way of doing things. Got it fixed by compressing the slot on the barrel that the loading lever fits in and tightening the screws better. Shot two cylinders full and the lever stayed put. Mike