Problem diagnosed and maybe solved?
Glad you got it working again. You don't want to horse the screw side plate screws down, but the do need to be quite snug to hold all the guts in place. There was lots of hand fitting in these old Colts and everything has to in the right place for things to work. I think the guy that designed this lockwork must have apprenticed as a clockmaker before working for Colt.
By comparison the Smith and Wesson DA lockwork is simple and rugged. At one time the Colt New Service, Army Special, Official Police, Police Positive and Detective Special were common police issue in America. They were common fare for gunsmiths in America, but those guys have retired or passed on.
I doubt your issue is wear. The wear issue is most often related to the timing lock up and the carry up of the bottom hand. Not a difficult fix, but a problem unique to the old style Colt lockwork. I should think keeping those side plate screws snug will get you "good to go".
Complete thread:
- Another Long Distance Troubleshooting Request -
Hoot,
2013-04-25, 08:50
![[*]](themes/default/images/complete_thread.png "Open whole thread")
- Another Long Distance Troubleshooting Request -
Cherokee,
2013-04-25, 09:21
- Could it be a high primer ? - Bud, 2013-04-25, 10:00
- I had an Officer's Model Match Target do the same thing... - Boge, 2013-04-25, 10:50
- Another Long Distance Troubleshooting Request - Charles, 2013-04-25, 16:20
- Problem diagnosed and maybe solved? -
Hoot,
2013-04-25, 17:20
- Hear, now. I thought - John K., 2013-04-25, 19:54
- Problem diagnosed and maybe solved? - Charles, 2013-04-25, 22:41
- Another Long Distance Troubleshooting Request -
Cherokee,
2013-04-25, 09:21