Colt single action mechanical evaluation

[DutchV]

My local dealer is offering me a Colt Bisley Model, supposedly from 1903.  Finish is brown, so we're talking shooter grade.  Cosmetically it looks worn but not abused.  

I'm familiar with single actions but don't own any Colts.  How do I evaluate it?  What sort of mechanical issues should I look for?

For now, let's assume that I won't be doing any disassembly.   


Thanks, Dutch

[potatojudge]

www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/revolver-checkout-how-to-tell-if-a-particular-specimen-is-any-good.1430/

This checkout is what got me started

[DutchV]

Mar 27, 2024 14:40:41 GMT -5 potatojudge said:

www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/revolver-checkout-how-to-tell-if-a-particular-specimen-is-any-good.1430/

This checkout is what got me started

Thank you.  This is very helpful.  

[bobwright]

First get the shop's permission to examine the revolver. Then check to be dead certain it is empty. Being in a dealer's display case is no guarantee the gun is empty.

Then, when you have permission, simply look over the revolver. Hopefully you will know what a complete Bisley looks like, no open screw holes where a screw might be missing, no obvious gouges in the metal~in short, no external damage. Then cock the hammer, noting the cylinder rotation, or lack of it. With the hammer at full cock, try to rotate the cylinder. There should be no play, or very slight play in the cylinde, it should be locked up tight. Try to move it back and forth, checking for end play. Ease the hammer down to the fired position. See if the firing pins protrudes through the frame. Draw the hammer back to the first notch and press he trigger; the hammer should not fall. Draw the hammwer back to the second position, the cylinder should be able to rotate freely by turning with the hand. Again press the trigger, firmly but not trying to force it back. The hammer should not move. With the hammer fully cocked, hold pressure on the hammer to keep it from flhying forward and press the trigger. The trigger shold "break" with only slight pressure and ease the hammer down. If the gun passes all these tests, its mechanically functional. If undue force is required, there is a problem.

Bar in mind, even if the gun fails, its a 100 year old gun. If the price is atractive enough, it might be worthwhile buying the gun as parts are available for minor repairs. All this ballyhoo about history aside, you might even consider having it restored to like new condition, even fitting custom grips.

It all depends how much money you want to throw at the thing.

[potatojudge]

I have a turn of the century Bisley in 38-40 that Harton restored mechanically.

Cosmetically it’s been around the block with honest use. Mechanically it’s as new.

I don’t think mechanical restoration breaks the bank.

[guym]

Mar 27, 2024 16:49:34 GMT -5 potatojudge said:

I have a turn of the century Bisley in 38-40 that Harton restored mechanically.

Cosmetically it’s been around the block with honest use. Mechanically it’s as new.

I don’t think mechanical restoration breaks the bank.

I'd appreciate contact info for "Harton" (or anyone else who really knows Colt single actions) as I have a Colt Bisley that is very nice looking, but doesn't always cycle the cylinder properly. I believe that sometime in the distant past someone converted it to 38 Special - unless that was at some point a factory offering. It is quite pleasant to shoot and accurate. 




I've thought about having it turned into something like a 44 Special or a 45 Colt, but it's awfully nice to shoot as a mere 38 Special. 

Regards, Guy

[longoval]

Alan Harton does indeed "really know Colt single actions” and very much so. He is certainly the man to talk to.

[phone]

[Cholla]

Keep it simple-

It's a 120 year old revolver so it's probably going to have a little play in the cylinder and it's probably going to have at least some pitting in the bore and maybe even outside from shooting black powder cartridges, I wouldn't worry much about either. Outside of that the two most common problems with these older Colt's are a broken bolt spring and a broken safety notch. When cocked, if the cylinder still rotates, the bolt spring is broken, easy fix. When the hammer is pulled back to the first notch, if when pulling the trigger the hammer falls, the safety notch is broken. Not the end of the world by any means, but someone will have to reweld and re-cut it, there are lots of people that can do that.
I've owned four of these that were built right after the turn of the century, all were well used but only one had a problem and that was the broken safety notch.