gfors
Member
I'm looking at various snake guns that are up for sale. Besides the normal revolver checks what else should I look for when considering an older colt revolver?
Thanks for any advice!
Thanks for any advice!
Colt Revo Advice Needed
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daddio202
Member
This goes for the older double action revolvers pythons,officer models, new services, model 357's, troopers and such - NOT SAAS cowboy type revolvers. Timing, timing, timing. Check by cocking hammer very slowly but smoothly. After much use they will time perfect when cocked fast with inertia carrying the cylinder to the notch but when slowly cocked you will reach full cock but the cylinder will not be locked in yet. Turning the cylinder An additional millimeter then the cylinder will lock up. With much use they will slow in timing and Colt revolvers require much knowledge and special tools to fix so unless you have a good Colt gunsmith buy only guns with little wear or in like new condition.
Watch out for refinishing. Refinishing a collectable firearm usually reduces it to non-collector pricing, but there are plenty of people out there who will try to pass off a refinished firearm as being an excellent condition, original firearm.
OP
gfors
Member
Signs of refinishing being what, exactly?
Not crisp roll-marks, rounded edges?
Rounded edges and smudged roll marks are often hallmarks of a refinish. Also, look at the screw heads for damage or rounding of edges. It is possible to refinish and retain the crispness of all of the edges, seams, and roll marks, but that sort of refinishing may cost as much as the firearm.
hkcavalier
US Veteran
The triangle-shaped stamp just ahead of the triggerguard will be indistinct or missing. The "Rampant Colt" or...prancing pony...stamp will be faded and not crisp. DA gun rules.
SAAs have more "tells", but I'm not terribly good at telling a very good refinish from the real thing with these. And these are probably the most common high-quality refinished guns since it's the difference of thousands of dollars. The folks over on the Colt forum can help. I'm educating myself since I'd like to get my hands on a SAA made in the early 1900s.
Everything else applies to S&Ws too. Rounded off cylinder flutes, bluing gone to plum in spots, etc.
Blueing taking on a plum tint is not necessarily a sign of a reblued firearm. There are plenty of S&W revolvers out there with factory blueing that have taken a plum tint. On Colt Pythons, it is very common to see the cylinder latch in a plum color.
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Late to this thread, but also examine for anything short of 100% full and tight cylinder lockup with the trigger all the way to the rear. Anything less is a sign of problems that will become worse with time.
hkcavalier
US Veteran
True, but it can be an indicator. I wouldn't pass on a clean and mechanically sound older gun just because one part has gone plum. It seems like it's the cylinder with S&Ws.
But plum parts and they don't match up well, or there's some fading of the marks on one or more parts, well that's different.
OP
gfors
Member
Thanks a bunch for all the replies, guys!
I'll talk to my gunsmith, as well, before I buy. He's ultimately the one that will have to work on anything I break or any faults I don't find in the pre-purchase inspection. I'm definitely looking at shooter-grade, and they still ain't cheap. I'm hoping to buy a tight gun, that, with a little love, will last me the rest of my life, roughly another 20 years, according to the actuarial tables. After that, my kids can try to find a Colt 'smith, or not...
I'll talk to my gunsmith, as well, before I buy. He's ultimately the one that will have to work on anything I break or any faults I don't find in the pre-purchase inspection. I'm definitely looking at shooter-grade, and they still ain't cheap. I'm hoping to buy a tight gun, that, with a little love, will last me the rest of my life, roughly another 20 years, according to the actuarial tables. After that, my kids can try to find a Colt 'smith, or not...
Go to Coltfever.com.....gunsmithing section....instant bolt drop upon hammer movement, and the bolt can hit a little early in the cylinder leade,but not late.....they can be repaired, but its better to start with a nice one! IMHO
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