For a cheaper option, I take some of my wife's nail polish and put a dab on the front sight of my guns. Not reflective, but a nice red or orange works better than the flat black.
In the old days (80s), I heard a veteran LEO claim that the Smith guys had to have their revolvers customized to be able to shoot with his factory Colt.
Colts were always known for their good barrels and bad lockwork, and Smiths just the opposite. Which brought about the Smython. Look that up if you want to go down an internet rabbit hole. I'll take the Smith action, any day over the Colt. But like I said in the article, that probably has a lot more to do with familiarity than actual benefit. Colt made a quality product back in the day that's for sure.
For the po-po issue, since I was coming of age and reading every single gun magazine printed in the late 70's and all thru the 80's, I think the primary issue with cops sticking with revolvers is training. The manual of arms for revolvers is much easier to teach and stays the same whether you're shooting S&W, Colts, or Rugers. It wasn't an individual choice, it was a bureaucratic choice based on costs and training difficulties. It wasn't until the development of double action semi-autos that the changeover really started. That was the era of DA/SA first shot second shot pistols.
Now for a technical question. I've read before about filing the hammer spring to a more narrow profile in the old Colts. I have a Python of the early 70's vintage. It has a horrible issue with failure to fire due to light hammer strikes. It'll click, I'll see a dent on the primer, but there just wasn't enough energy to cause it to fire. I replaced the spring with a new one but the problem persisted. And yes, this is with reloads. But those same reloads shoot with 100% reliability in my Ruger, my Smith, and my Rossi lever action rifle. It's only the Colt that has an issue.
Have you run into that before? And is there an easy way to increase spring tension for a harder strike? To my knowledge there's been no other home gunsmithing on this gun other than me replacing the hammer spring. And I've also done a very deep cleaning, including removing the captured firing pin and spring, cleaning out the pocket, and replacing it.
I don't know of anyone who makes a tougher hammer spring, but likely that is not your problem. Two things to check. First check the head space ( that's the distance from the recoil should to the back of the cartridge) if this has grown in any way, it will cause the problems you are seeing. That being said, you would have seen some other problems before it got that far. Likely something is dragging internally and robbing the hammer of its power, it doesn't take much especially old Pythons since they were on the ragged edge of spring power anyway (that nice light trigger pull doesn't come without paying the piper) but seriously, if you take it apart I'm willing to bet you will find some drag marks on the hammer somewhere, old oil and dirt can also cause this problem but you said you cleaned it , so I'm ruling that out. Anything that slows that hammer down will potentially rob the energy from it and prevent a solid primer strike. Also check to make sure firing pin protrusion is good. Make sure that firing pin is sticking out of the frame far enough. Dirty charge holes can cause this problem as well, so make sure they are scrubbed clean. Worst case scenario, I know a gunsmith that would be happy to look at it for you. 😉
The only handgun I ever divested was a rather well abused square butt 2 in. Colt Cobra. The sights were useless (actually improved when I dropped the gun and had to replace and re-solder it in place); it was better to point shoot it. It also recoiled painfully with +P 38 Special loads.
A 1st model King Cobra was acquired by my late Dad. What a difference! It loves red hot 357's (as does my S&W M-27) and has a glass smooth action.
That front sight modification is outstanding. I may need to see about getting one like that.
I know a guy 😜
Matthew, I really enjoyed this article! Thanks for sharing your passion especially for revolvers. P
I have my dad’s model 36-1 Smith. How would I go about getting you to tune it up?
I'll send you a message.
For a cheaper option, I take some of my wife's nail polish and put a dab on the front sight of my guns. Not reflective, but a nice red or orange works better than the flat black.
Thanks for sharing this in our Gunsmith group on FB!
No problem. I try and get it in front of people who will enjoy it.
In the old days (80s), I heard a veteran LEO claim that the Smith guys had to have their revolvers customized to be able to shoot with his factory Colt.
Colts were always known for their good barrels and bad lockwork, and Smiths just the opposite. Which brought about the Smython. Look that up if you want to go down an internet rabbit hole. I'll take the Smith action, any day over the Colt. But like I said in the article, that probably has a lot more to do with familiarity than actual benefit. Colt made a quality product back in the day that's for sure.
I fell in love with Smiths the first time I fired an old 60s-era Model 10.
Had one. Nice!
I think I need one of these now
You find the Colt and I know a guy that can make it happen.
Where are you located and how do we get in contact with you for business?
I'm in Northern Nevada, and I do quite a bit of business through the mail. I will pm you my details.
Dang! How did I miss this Post, Matthew? Beautiful firearm and an awesome restoration tale. Thanks for sharing. 🫡
Thanks so much!
That is really, really nice!
Thanks so much
For the po-po issue, since I was coming of age and reading every single gun magazine printed in the late 70's and all thru the 80's, I think the primary issue with cops sticking with revolvers is training. The manual of arms for revolvers is much easier to teach and stays the same whether you're shooting S&W, Colts, or Rugers. It wasn't an individual choice, it was a bureaucratic choice based on costs and training difficulties. It wasn't until the development of double action semi-autos that the changeover really started. That was the era of DA/SA first shot second shot pistols.
Now for a technical question. I've read before about filing the hammer spring to a more narrow profile in the old Colts. I have a Python of the early 70's vintage. It has a horrible issue with failure to fire due to light hammer strikes. It'll click, I'll see a dent on the primer, but there just wasn't enough energy to cause it to fire. I replaced the spring with a new one but the problem persisted. And yes, this is with reloads. But those same reloads shoot with 100% reliability in my Ruger, my Smith, and my Rossi lever action rifle. It's only the Colt that has an issue.
Have you run into that before? And is there an easy way to increase spring tension for a harder strike? To my knowledge there's been no other home gunsmithing on this gun other than me replacing the hammer spring. And I've also done a very deep cleaning, including removing the captured firing pin and spring, cleaning out the pocket, and replacing it.
thanks!
I don't know of anyone who makes a tougher hammer spring, but likely that is not your problem. Two things to check. First check the head space ( that's the distance from the recoil should to the back of the cartridge) if this has grown in any way, it will cause the problems you are seeing. That being said, you would have seen some other problems before it got that far. Likely something is dragging internally and robbing the hammer of its power, it doesn't take much especially old Pythons since they were on the ragged edge of spring power anyway (that nice light trigger pull doesn't come without paying the piper) but seriously, if you take it apart I'm willing to bet you will find some drag marks on the hammer somewhere, old oil and dirt can also cause this problem but you said you cleaned it , so I'm ruling that out. Anything that slows that hammer down will potentially rob the energy from it and prevent a solid primer strike. Also check to make sure firing pin protrusion is good. Make sure that firing pin is sticking out of the frame far enough. Dirty charge holes can cause this problem as well, so make sure they are scrubbed clean. Worst case scenario, I know a gunsmith that would be happy to look at it for you. 😉
Thanks for the info, I'll carefully open it back up and check.
The only handgun I ever divested was a rather well abused square butt 2 in. Colt Cobra. The sights were useless (actually improved when I dropped the gun and had to replace and re-solder it in place); it was better to point shoot it. It also recoiled painfully with +P 38 Special loads.
A 1st model King Cobra was acquired by my late Dad. What a difference! It loves red hot 357's (as does my S&W M-27) and has a glass smooth action.