[1KPerDay]

Well I picked up a stainless python and the action, particularly the DA is not as smooth as I would have hoped. It feels a bit jerky or hesitant. The cylinder also doesn't spin very freely when opened; don't know if it's supposed to or maybe just sticky with old lube. SA feels nice. I'm wondering if it's just in need of cleaning/lube. There is some pitting on the front of the cylinder around the chamber mouths so I assume it's been fired a bit.

I'd like to clean and lightly lube the action but I've never worked on a Colt before and don't want to bugger anything up. Tips and advice welcome.

Thanks as always.

 

[capstan]

one simple way is to get the spray can of breakfree (the one with the foaming weird chemical smelling formula, and squirt it up into the action --take the grips off and squirt it all up into the action and also down thru the bolt window and on the cylinder shaft and the firing pin and the cylinder latch and around hammer,up into the trigger area , and hammer area. Then prop gun up and let it drain out -leave overnite (dont get that particular breakfree on your hands or you will be days getting rid of the smell even after washing for an hour. best to use latex gloves with thats stuff.- Its not like hoppes ot any gun oil iv'e ever used but it gets into everything and cleans lubes real well)

Best way is to takeoff the sideplate and remove all the internal parts and clean each one - I use /scrub with simple green and then rinse and dry and then lube. Also take cylinder out and squirt breakfree down around the tiny space around the collar and both sides of the ejector rod from both sides. dont forget the cylinder detent and a little grease on the tip when you put it all back together. I also use q tips and swabs smaller than q tips and toothpicks and toothbrush for cleaning.

You can get kuhnhausen's manual for dissasembly instructions or the revolver dissasembly book (cant remember author-it has pics of every step of disassembly/assembly.

 

[dfariswheel]

Colt cylinders don't freewheel like S&W cylinders.

How far you want to go with cleaning and lubing is up to you.
If you'd like to do a total job and apply a little grease to key areas, which will improve the action feel, invest a few bucks in the Jerry Kuhnhausen Shop Manual and a Colt-specific set of Magna-Tip gunsmiths screwdriver bits.
Using the book and the bits you can safely disassemble the action, clean it thoroughly and apply lube where it needs to be.
The shop manual is money well spent if you own an old style Colt action revolver, if nothing else, to just know your Colt is working correctly:

THE COLT DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVERS - A SHOP MANUAL | Brownells

Buy the following bits. These will fit all Colt DA revolver screws. The two thicknesses of each are to fit screw slots that may vary:

.150-3 and .150-4
.180-3 and .180-4
.210-3 and .210-4

Magna-Tip Bits | Screwdrivers & Sets at Brownells

Buy a law enforcement size handle. These are the perfect size for good control. Buy either a magnetic or clip-tip.

LAW ENFORCEMENT HANDLES | Brownells

If you don't want to disassemble, you can usually get things in good shape by just removing the grips and spraying a good lubricant into the frame from the grip frame opening, in front of the cocked hammer, and up under the cocked trigger.
Also put a drop or two in the front of the cylinder where the crane enters, and in the front of the frame where where the crane enter it.
Allow the lube to spread and operate the action to distribute the lube.

 

[1KPerDay]

Many thanks.

 

[rljatl]

Colt Python .357 Magnum Detailed Disassembly (Part 1 of 2) - YouTube

 

[1KPerDay]

Funny. I just watched that. Any caveats to his method, other than using proper bits and not scratching up the sight when removing that screw?

I tried shooting a lot of CLP up into the crevices and it didn't seem to make a difference.

 

[dfariswheel]

For some reason the Youtube link won't work for me.

I'd be VERY careful about using Youtube videos for advice on guns, especially Colt's. Most of the posters are not experts, or even know what their talking about and often give advice that can destroy parts and guns.

At least one Youtube showing Python disassembly mentioned using large pliers to unscrew and remove the barrel!!!!!!