Anaconda Question

[bigskydoc]

I am a ~ 20 year Python shooter who is looking to buy my first Anaconda. I located one that appears to be in quite good cosmetic and mechanical shape except for one small thing. I noticed that if I cycle the action with normal gusto in single or double action the gun functions flawlessly. However, if I am taking my time to slowly cycle through the action (especially if I am doing a slow double action pull) about every tenth time the cylinder only rotates partially and stops, especially if I ease up on the trigger ever so slightly during the pull. At that point, it will not advance with either a pull on the trigger or if I pull the hammer back for single action. Instead, it must be manually advanced a degree or so before it will rotate normally. I suspect it is a timing issue and from my research I suspect the hand will need to be replaced by Colt. Thought I would ask around here first though and see if anyone has any other ideas.

I also notice that when cycling the action, the engagement of the hand during the first quarter to half of the cylinder rotation feels solid, but then during the last portion of the rotation it seems as if the cylinder gets thrown ahead of the hand and "freewheels" to a stop. Is this normal? Does my description even make sense?

Thanks

- bsd

[JudgeColt]

The problem described is apparently a somewhat common problem on the Anaconda. The problem has been discussed several times here.

The "book" fix is an over-sized hand (thicker), but none are available. I fixed an Anaconda with that problem by bending the hand so that the curve in the hand took up the excess space in the hand window and kept the hand tip in contact with the ratchet throughout the full trigger cycle. The hand is really tough so it took some serious force to bend it. I bent the "too thin" hand on the Anaconda I mention by closing an adjustable wrench tightly on each end and applying enough force to bend the hand in the middle. (I used two 12-inch wrenches since the hand was too tough to bend easily and under control with smaller wrenches.) Bend it so the tip is tilted toward the ratchet of course.

If you take off the side plate and push the hand toward the ratchet as you work the action slowly, I suspect you will see the cycle completed as it should be. If that happens, then the problem is for sure what I have described. Bending the hand will solve the problem. It does not take much, but a bend is necessary to take up the excess space in the hand window that is allowing the hand to slide to the left far enough to slip out of contact with the ratchet. It may take a time or two of trial and error to get the bend right (the side plate has to be fully installed for a meaningful check to see if the bend is enough), but I hit it right the first time. (If you get too much bend the first time, which will be unlikely, just straighten it a bit and try it again.) The fit is fairly sloppy on every Anaconda, so there is quite a bit of tolerance to play with anyway.

Let us know if that solves the problem.

[bigskydoc]

Thanks so much. I must not have had the right boolean when I did a search. At this point I am not sure that I will proceed with the purchase knowing that I may have to do the smithing myself. If I do, I will let you know if I have any success.

-bsd