A question or two about timing on a Colt OMM

[Russ57]

I have a Colt officers model match in .38 special that isn't quite locking up with a slow cock. A vigorous cock will get it there. It does lockup once the trigger moves forward so perhaps there is no reason for concern?

I took the slide plate off and had a look. I noticed a wear pattern on the back side of the hand just above the cut out section. The sharp corner above the thin section looks like it was sheared/rounded off. My best guess is it was caused by the rebound lever.

My question is; does the rebound hammer act on the hand on these older Colts and/or is it responsible for timing in anyway? I generally think of the rebound hammer as resetting the trigger and not having any interaction with the hand. Clearly I am new to Colt revolvers.

 

[dfariswheel]

In the old Colt action the rebound, like all other parts, serves at least two totally different functions.
The rebound is both the hammer rebound safety and powers the trigger and hand.
Timing is a function of the hand and the cylinder bolt.

The "usual" timing problem in the Colt's is the hand is worn and won't quite push the cylinder into full lockup.
AS LONG as the cylinder does fully lock up when the trigger is pulled, it's safe to fire.
Just keep an eye on it to insure the cylinder IS fully locking and isn't wearing to the point of firing in an unlocked condition.

The correction is either to stretch the hand, or replace it.
Stretching the hand is a ONE TIME repair.....if a second stretch is attempted the hand usually shatters because of work hardening.
The hand is not stretched where or how you might think.

Replacing the hand is something you don't want to attempt due to the complexity of the action. What's going on is NOT what it looks like is going on.

My best advice is to invest in the Kuhnhausen Shop Manual Volume One on the Colt DA revolvers.
The manual shows all this in deep detail, including how to stretch the hand, what tool to use, and the process of installing a new hand.
This will save you a LOT of time, money, and grief in figuring out the complex old Colt action............

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1014291858?pid=369326

If a new hand is needed, buy a new exact replica from Jack First, not a used part that's already been altered to fit another gun..........

https://jackfirstinc.com/colt-e-i-hand-443-50487

 

[Russ57]

Thank you for answering. I feel the gun is safe to shoot. It will carry up and lockup fine with a vigorous cock of the hammer. And of course it locks up once the trigger is pulled and before the hammer falls.

Partly I am trying to learn and partly I'm trying to prevent matters from getting to a problem point. The gun is new to me. I'm a bullseye target guy so I need something that can shoot a thousand rounds a month.

I just took the side plate off again and cycled the action. I can see no way that the rebound lever caused the wear pattern I saw on the back of the hand so I am leaning towards thinking it was factory fitting/filing of the part.

FWIW, if I have the side plate off, press the hand up against the ratchet, cock the hammer slowly, then advance the cylinder by hand until I hear the bolt drop in....the hand moves back slightly. This makes me wonder if it isn't ratchet wear more than hand wear. Also, there have been a few times where it seemed like it was harder than normal to cock the gun. Some oil seemed to fix matter for another 40 rounds or so. I am only shooting single action. Oh, and if I push sideways on the front of the cylinder I can see some play but we are talking barely discernible. I am probably being overly critical/picky of an older gun (serial # 900696) but I always wanted a Colt OMM so I want to do right by it. Besides, better I give you too much information than no t enough.

As you have mentioned, one needs to be certain of the real problem as everything is interrelated in non-intuitive ways. I don't want to go off half cocked and attempt to stretch the hand before I am darn sure that is what needs to be done. Any and all words of advice are appreciated. If money wasn't a factor I would gladly send the gun off. Frankly I am not sure it really needs to be sent off so that is another reason I am here asking these questions.