new to me Colt Python with canted front sight - How to fix?

[SteelonSteel]

Well I just picked up a Colt 4" Python and when i bought I did notice the rear sight notch and blade was near all the way to the right in the rear sight body. Well I discovered it's there because the barrel appears over rotated in the frame.

There flat base on the shroud with the vent rib on it is noticeably off center. Near flush on the right with the frame's flat and almost a 1/8" offset on the left side.

I'm guessing that the barrel is torqued or pressed in. I don't see a pin like some of the S&W's. Forgive me for being a total newb.

How to fix this? I'm guessing there's a wrench for this or is a 6 pound hand sledge sufficient? <that's a joke.

thanks in advance.

SoS

[TomP]

Can you post a picture? Maybe taken from the back looking forward so we can see both sights? If both are to the right, that means the barrel may not be screwed IN enough. Was the barrel replaced do you think?

[SteelonSteel]

Barrel and rear sight are both to the right. Front sight is definitely canted. Not sure about the barrel being replaced.

[brokedave]

I believe TomP to be correct, that the barrel is out of alignment with the frame.
A fix might not be as simple as screwing the barrel in but a good Colt familiar gunsmith with the correct tools will be able to rectify that for you.

[TomP]

Definitely looks like the barrel isn't screwed in far enough. Just out of curiosity, if you swing the cylinder out first, can you unscrew the barrel by hand? I'm asking because I had a revolver once that had a canted front sight because the barrel was only turned in hand tight.

In any case, I can't believe Colt shipped a Python with such a canted barrel.

Seconding what brokedave said, correction requires the services of a knowledgeable gunsmith who has the right tools for the job. Things that MIGHT have to happen include: shaving the barrel shoulder a bit, cutting the barrel face to set barrel/cylinder gap, recutting the barrel throat. Tools needed include the proper frame wrench to fit the Python and a set of jaws for the barrel.

The experienced folks on this forum can tell you that there are many wrong ways to "correct" the problem which could end up in a ruined revolver.

A while back I was able to fix my Trooper MK III that had the same problem by following the advice of real gunsmiths and being patient enough to get the right tools.

[porsche]

Send it to Colt.

[A1A]

There are a number of threads on the forum about Colt revolvers with this situation. The solution is definitely to contact Colt to fix it right.

[SteelonSteel]

Thanks for your excellent advice. That backs up my first notion of not to let any local smith work on it.

I had a call in to a local retiree who was my department's head armorer for the state for 30 something years back in the revolver days and into the Glock days. He called me back this morning and pretty much backed up what you all pretty much said. - Send it to Colt for a smart and safe job done with the proper tools to preserve an irreplaceable item.

He said he can do anything imaginable to the S&W's short of replacing a frame as he still has all the tooling and parts for rebarreling and working on the S&W's and could even do an action job on the Colt but the barrel shroud should be done by the factory or a really well equiped shop that has factory tooling. He said absolutely no local smiths who would likely injure the pistol.
ETA- It's the 10th pistol by sn for 1961; I have a theory that someone had a heck of a time on New year's eve.


Well I'm just as glad to send it to Colt anyhow, the front sight insert is one of those translucent orange inserts and has been reset with epoxy. I'd just assume have the install another front sight blade. There are a few dings on the shroud too, a ding in the P in Python and some nicks in the corner of the vent rib base. I might even see about replacing the whole shroud.

Monday's thing to do- Phone call to the Colt Service Department.

Thanks for your sound advice for the newb.

Sincerely,

Tom

[SteelonSteel]

OK, this Python is on it's way back to the factory for a 50 year reunion.

The nice gal on the phone said I didn't need a return authorization, just enclose a letter with my concerns and some other stuff to include in the letter.

In the letter I explained the defect and how it affected the rear sight and my slow acquisition of the rear sight notch and how ideally I'd like the barrel indexed to center. I also requested a new front sight blade to replace the one with the loose/repaired translucent insert blade.

I'm not concened with any buffing or bluing as the pistol is pretty nice with just a couple dings. If they do, they do. Wouldn't mind if they checked under the sideplate and gave her a 30,000 mile tune up/cleaning.

[SteelonSteel]

Just picked up a letter for the repair work sent to my FFL.

-Realign barrel, reblue in Royal Blue, No charge
-Replace front sight, labor, $75 (I requested that the front sight be changed out due to the amateur repair to the translucent insert)
-shipping, $30

I can't argue with that.