Stupid Question about a Diamondback

[boatboy]

OK if this is a stupid question sorry
I have recently aquired a 38 Diamondback that my uncle had around for years. He told me that his friend who was trying to be a cop bought the gun and it didnt fire.

I took it last night to test fire here is what happen fire six shots and I assume on average 5 fired if you tried to fire the unfired round again it usually fires.

Needs a main spring correct?

Also its a nice shooter but has one small area of corrosion between the barrel and underlug about the size of the head of an eraser. Do I have the gun reblued? If so a local quality gun smith (Dick Williams Saginaw MI) or send it to colt?

I will have Dick Williams replace the spring they are easy to deal with

Thanks Hank

This is the last Snake gun now have at least one of each I am pretty happy

[cochise]

Did you check to see if it needed to be cleaned? Sometimes the old oil gums up and slows things down causing misfires. I get lazy and use gun scrubber after removing the stocks, and use compressed air to blow things out. I then like to spray LPS into the action. Wipe it down, replace the stocks, check the oil accumulation in the bbl and chambers in the cylinder, and blast again. It usally does it for me. I doubt it would need a new main spring if it wasn't shot or "worked on". I'm not sure what to tell you about the rust. Wipe it down with oil, Kroil is good, and see if it looks better. A mark may still be there but might not be too bad.

Sounds like you have a nice collection. Maybe you can post some pics?

[boatboy]

Thank You
I will clean it one more time I would rather have factory parts in it if possible

I am under the impression break free will also not gum up

Thanks Hank

[A1A]

A good cleaning first is the right suggestion, including very thoroughly cleaning under the ejector star with a brush. It is also indeed a possibility that the mainspring is weak for one reason or another including "lightening" on purpose as mentioned. If so, it is possible to re-arch the spring.

[dfariswheel]

To re-blue or not is your decision.
Most people will tell you not to re-finish unless the finish is bad all over because a re-finish will lower the value.

If you do decide to re-blue have it done by Colt. A factory re-finish lowers the value less than a non-factory job, and Colt is assured of doing it RIGHT and to the original look.

[broknaxl]

If you have it reblued by Colt, they will generally go over the gun and make sure that it functions properly before they return it.

[boatboy]

Thanks for all the info I really apreciate it

Can anyone give me a ball park the cost of Colt doing a reblue?

Thanks Hank

[Will_Paladin]

Hank, I've got a 2 1/2" DB .38 spcl at Colt now for complete refinish in Colt Royal Blue. It's been there since mid-June and I'm hoping to get it
back any day. Price was $325 for the refinish, tax & return shipping added another $50, so the whole job is going to run $375.00. Probably too
much but I think I'll like it. Will post pics when I get it back.
Will

[boatboy]

Thanks I dont know which direction to go
I will need to think if factory or local

Thanks Hank