Help needed with Colteer FTF problem

[theearlof]

New member needing help with a Colteer problem.

I recently acquired a Colt Colteer 22 semi-auto that needed some TLC and a few parts (posted in another thread here). After getting it back together, I took it to the range today to try it out. Loaded the feed tube with about 10 rounds of Federal 710’s. Fired off the first six rounds with no problems at all and thought everything was going to be fine.. Then the next 4 rounds all jammed during feeding and had to be coaxed into the barrel.
I suspect that the problem is the feed tube spring is too weak with age and not putting enough push on the last rounds out of the tube. I am able to get another spring, but can’t tell how to remove the spring. It looks like the feed tube pin that holds the end cap on needs to be removed but I don’t see a way to do that as it does not go all the way through the feed tube, only comes out the one side and the other side is a blind hole.

My only guess is that the feed tube pin is groved and is held in by swagging on the end cap side. Anyone ever remove the feed tube spring?
Would apprecicate any thoughts or experience with this.
Thanks
Earl

[Colt75]

From the schematic I looked at it apears that the magazine tube cap has a hole through the end that is inserted into the magazine tube. The pin goes through the hole and is held in place by spring pressure from the magazine tube spring. Try using a pliers with the jaws wrapped in electricans tape to pull the pin out while pushing down on the cap.

If all else fails, take to a quailfied gunsmith. I take the approach that it is better to pay a gunsmith to solve the problem before I screw things up, than after I screw things up. Afterall, there is the embarassment factor to be considered.

[theearlof]

Tried your suggestion, but the pin is tight in the hole an does not stick out far enough to get a good grip on it.

I suspect some gunsmiths could handle this, but some might butcher it (I can do that myself).

Just wondering if anyone has done or knew how to remove the feed tube end cap so that I could see if it was something I could do. Maybe there is a trick to doing it.

Thanks

[dfariswheel]

Examine the pin and the tube carefully.
Sometimes the pin hole really is all the way through the tube, but the end is polished so smooth it can be difficult to see.
DO NOT attempt to disassemble the tube from the crimped end, this just ruins the tube completely.

If the pin really is in a blind hole, there are some options:

1. Depending on how far the pin goes into the end cap, you can drill in from the other side of the tube and drive the pin out.
Since most .22 tubes of this type have the pin hole all the way through, all you'll need is to make up a longer pin and make it a tight fit in the cap. Polish the other side flush and you'll have a standard type tube, cap, and pin arrangement.

2. Using whatever tooling you think will work, carefully cut the tube itself just in front of the pin. Cutting a small slot from the pin to the end of the tube will allow pulling the cap and pin out.
Once the cap is out, extract the pin and drill a new hole on the other side. of the tube. Insert the pin from that side. This will leave a small slot on the other side where the pin was.

3. Buy an new inner tube kit from Brownell's. These kits allow you to build an new inner tube using new parts or just the parts you need to replace.
There's a number 1 and 2 kit for different sizes:

Brownells Search : Search Results for "magazine tube kit" - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

4. Try to find a new Colt inner tube.
You'll have to call:

Jack First Gunshop - First in Gun Parts - Rapid City, South Dakota

Antique Firearms & Colt Parts for Old Guns