break-in

[solo17]

i have a old colt python that i want to start shooting often. what can i do to smooth things up a bit i read somewhee to dry fire it 1000 or so times is there anything else that i can do myself or is there a website that will show me how ? i'd apprieciate any and all help

 

[dfariswheel]

Short of sending it in to Colt or Cylinder & Slide for a custom action job, the best thing you can do is flush out the action, re-lube with a good lube, and SHOOT it.

The old Colt action like the Python uses is NO place for non-EXPERT Colt qualified people to be.

DO NOT take your valuable Python to any local gunsmiths for ANYTHING.

No BS, the Python action is an extremely complex mechanism with TINY working surfaces.

They are NOTHING like any other revolver, and the techniques for improving those actions not only do NOT work on the Colt's, they can actually ruin the gun.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Once again, dfariswheel has nailed it.

I've looked at a few Pythons people have "worked on" themselves—and didn't even consider buying them.

The best thing to do for an old, long-neglected Python is clean it, shoot it, clean it, shoot it, clean it, and so forth. They suffer from neglect.

 

[solo17]

will dry firing hurt this gun ??? or should i forget about useing it for competition and baby it ????

 

[juneau803]

why not get some dummy rounds and dry fire the heck out of it. I wouldn't think that would hurt it. My python was gunked up inside pretty good once and a good flushing and lubing brought her right back. I've put many thousand rounds through her and she's still as tight as can be.