Colt 1901 side plate reinstall?

[ApacheCoTodd]

So in the course of putzing and due in part to the "Anyone else love a beat up gun?" thread, I finally tried to spend some time with an old 1901 Colt that fell to me in an estate sale as it was "locked up" and presented as unserviceable.

in getting it apart I found that much of the drag was crap old grease congealed into a wonderful sort of 70% epoxy. After cleaning it out with no more disassembly than pulling the side plate and cylinder - I found it quite free to move and replaced the cylinder then tried again, still operated smoothly.

After replacing the side plate (correct matching number item) I found it almost as hard to nearly impossible to cycle. Remove it, manually assist the hand and workee-workee.

Now, there are three pin recesses in the plate and one spring stop pin (hand) and all is well with them and the hand spring is on the correct side of its pin but the pistol just does not want to cycle with the plate in place.

The two screwed plate re-seats very easily so I know I'm not forcing it

Am I reassembling in an incorrect condition or stage of cycle?

Is there a "rain dance" that I don't know about in the reassembly of this rascal?

 

[Jim K]

First is the pin on the sideplate itself still there? That pin is necessary when installing the sideplate to keep the hand spring out of the way so the sideplate will seat properly. If it is broken off, things will be tough.

Jim

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Yup Jim , it's there and full length and straight - seems to be doing its job.

Anything else jump out at you?

 

[Jim K]

No, other than to make sure all the parts are properly seated and that the sideplate is not bent. Make sure that the locking lever is fully seated and its screw is screwed in properly.

Jim