Welcome everybody to the TFB Armorer’s Bench! As talked about within the little blurb under, this sequence will deal with a whole lot of house armorer and gunsmith actions. On this article, I made a decision to do some much-needed and desired upkeep on a gun that was as soon as dubbed “the gunsmith’s finest pal” or “gunsmith’s nightmare” relying on the place you learn. I after all am speaking in regards to the contentious Colt 1877 in any other case generally known as the Lightning (Thunderer for 41 cal or Rainmaker for 32 cal). I’ve talked about all of the little points, controversies, and real-world happenings of this controversial Colt in a separate Commentary article. Right this moment we’re taking it aside, taking a peek, and seeing if we are able to get this factor nearer to the like new situation it deserves. Let’s dive proper into Diagnosing and Assessing a Colt 1877 Lightning!
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TFB Armorer’s Bench: Diagnosing and Assessing a Colt 1877 Lightning
Right here, we at TFB hope to tell, entertain, and even encourage any would-be gunsmith or armorer on the market. Ideally, with the knowledge I present and with the assistance of our sponsors, you may have some helpful information pertaining to the conservation and enchancment of firearms know-how whereas on the similar time sharing experiences and educating one another new ideas and methods alongside the way in which within the feedback. Digging deep into what it’s to be an armorer or gunsmith has significance however what’s necessary is what these folks do to point out they’ve earned that title. I’m blissful to share my experiences and information and hope it’s informative!
Make your private security a precedence:
Follow correct gun security. At all times be sure earlier than the firearm hits your bench that it’s unloaded and secure to be dealt with.
Put on the right security tools. The primary one can be security glasses (first rate ones) since elements are sometimes beneath spring pressure and you could work with excessive RPM instruments. Different honorable mentions can be latex gloves or a respirator when working with probably dangerous solvents and oils. Additionally listening to safety when working with loud equipment or test-firing firearms.
Modifications, alterations, and customizations will void your firearm’s guarantee 9.5 occasions out of 10. Please take that into consideration earlier than making an attempt any at-home gunsmithing.
In case you are uncertain about correct security practices, disassembly procedures, or guarantee requirements, cease, put down the instruments, and seek the advice of a reliable gunsmith.
Fast Background & The Situation – Colt 1877 Lightning
In order I discussed I’ve already finished some commentary on the Colt 1877, its historical past, and customary points. In my skilled opinion, I consider that these points stem from a little bit of misuse years down the street when smokeless powder was the usual, copy elements had been nonexistent, and phrase of mouth made the nice outdated Colt Lightning out to be a fragile revolver. Ought to they’ve designed this gun to be less complicated? Sure. May they’ve? Possibly…patents on the time in all probability sophisticated this.
My piece specifically suffers from its age greater than something. It’s the oldest gun I personal. It was manufactured again in 1901 and bought to the Continental Tobacco Firm as a promotional merchandise for people to show of their tabs from cigar containers and cigarette cartons. Some fortunate nicotine-soaked duck smoked their coronary heart out in an effort to get this piece of high quality manufacturing. Now it’s mine and it wants to take a look beneath the hood. One thing I had nice pleasure about since I haven’t taken my private one aside but.
The age-related points pertain to some slight sluggishness. The revolver total is in good situation. It was positively reblued in some unspecified time in the future in its life. The body itself would have been colour case hardened and the markings have been brushed over by an ape that went loopy with a buffing wheel.
Typically the very easy motion has sticking moments in that it feels prefer it will get hung up. Seemingly a problem with the hand or hand/bolt relationship (i.e. poor timing). General the spring tensions all through really feel good apart from the ejector rod spring which feels prefer it has gone slack. This spring is probably going damaged or worn out. One other very slight incidence is the set off return will typically stick. That is seemingly because of the curler/set off spring relationship. I discussed within the earlier 1877 article {that a} widespread subject with these weapons is that their curler will usually develop a flat spot and never function appropriately.
I ought to point out that once I purchased this gun I additionally purchased round 10 small elements since I used to be afraid I would wish to repair one thing and they might now not be accessible. Turned out to be the correct transfer in the long run as a result of it made the venture a fast one.
Nearer Inspection – Colt 1877 Lightning
So with out going step-by-step on disassembly (You need it? Ask please!) the Colt 1877 shouldn’t be a sophisticated gun to ME however it does have a whole lot of small elements and screws that look related however will not be interchangeable. These small elements may be known as fragile however provided that you bend or smack on them which you shouldn’t should.
The primary huge signal of oops was effectively that pesky ejector rod spring I discussed. It certain was damaged. Damaged as in straight up snapped in half. Springs can put on out with out actually breaking visibly however this was a simple identification and repair. I had a spring readily available and it fastened it up in a jiffy.
Subsequent, I checked the sear and the hammer. Each seemed wholesome. It’s apparent these things was hand-fit. The notches on the hammer seemed clear and crisp so fortunately that wants no consideration. The set off will conceal the remainder of my suspicions. With it out, every part can look high quality at first look however on a better look, there could also be greater than meets the attention.
Right here we are able to see a pin protruding from the hand (the half that rotates the cylinder). This pin is meant to intersect with a flat spring which offers pressure ahead so the hand returns appropriately. As we are able to see, the pin is bent from time and repeated use. An enormous instance of a reasonably useless design. What’s the treatment for this? The pin may be punched out and changed or bent again.
I occurred to have a substitute hand with a brand new pin. Simple swap, straightforward repair. No becoming was required however in different conditions, the tooth of the hand might have to get sharpened or rounded with a file.
Subsequent, we flip our consideration to the curler. You see on this photograph under the blued facet of the curler.
Within the subsequent photograph, we see a facet that’s within the white and is ever so barely labored flat. That is widespread and can trigger the set off to begin returning much less and fewer. I additionally had a brand new curler readily available.
Changing the curler affords challenges just like that of putting in a set off guard pin in an AR15 decrease receiver. If not finished rigorously and correctly the set off could possibly be broken.
I used a chunk of stainless-steel media to punch out the tiny pin (they solely go one path and it could possibly be both facet so be sure to measure)
Lastly, we are able to see that the set off spring itself has a flat spot starting to look from the curler. This spring in all probability didn’t should be changed and most often, from what I’ve learn, it isn’t even advisable to take away it as a result of it’s “set at a pressure” however these had been stated to be adjustable so I don’t know what that’s all about. I changed the spring with a brand new one and every part was high quality.
Conclusion – Colt 1877 Lightning
The Colt 1877 is certainly one of my favourite revolvers and I believe it’s tremendous underrated and has a wealthy historical past. I certain want somebody on the market would make a correct-sized double-action reproduction that was engineered to work higher, last more, and deal with smokeless powder for its lifetime. Get on it Colt, Uberti, Pietta, Heritage, and so forth!
As at all times, thanks for studying TFB! Be secure on the market, have enjoyable whereas taking pictures, and we are going to see you subsequent time for the TFB Armorer’s Bench! Additionally, tell us what you assume within the feedback under! We at all times respect your suggestions.
