Colt 1903 battering

[rhtwist]

Hello,
Been firing a newly purchased Colt 1903 Hammerless Model 3 Dated 1922. Functional, rough finish.
Non factory mags. Fired approx. 200 rounds with the retractor/recoil spring that came with it (WWB & Remington 71 Grains). Put a Wolf spring in and firing about 150 more. This time it was 100 Remingtons and 50 Fiocchi 73 Grains. Function was fine. Upon cleaning I noted what appears as alot of battering of the frame/slide and barrel. The barrel has a ring approx. 1/2 way between muzzle and chamber. It was gouged pretty good, I think by the inside of the slide barrel opening. Battering around the slides spring tunnel at rear noticed as well as frame spring tunnel. Also the Slide rear center seems to be wearing. What are possible reasons and cures. I intended to use the Fiocchi as they are considered hotter than American FMJs. Will pulling the spring to make it longer (the original/in gun spring was longer than the Wolff), help any. Thanks for any info.
rhtwist

 

[rcmodel]

The gun was not designed for "Hotter then American FMJ" ammo.

No, you can't stretch a spring.
All that will do is over-stress the coils, and it will collapse and get weaker much faster then it otherwise would have.

rcmodel

 

[rhtwist]

Thanks for the reply. I do believe you are right and will start using Remington 71 Grains or plinking. Take care.
rhtwist

 

[Jim K]

It sounds like the barrel was bulged at one time, which would result in the inside of the slide gouging it. The battering is unusual; those guns are pretty tough.

I suggest examining it closely. The rough finish might mean the gun was in a fire and has lost its hardening.

Jim

 

[rhtwist]

Thanks for the concern and advice. But I did not explain myself correctly. The barrel has a machined ring around the middle that seams to line up with the slide barrel hole, when the slide is at it's rearmost position. Possibly a support for the barrel during cycling. That seems to be battering the inside of the slide barrel exit hole. The gun was sold by a gunsmith who owned the pistol, BUT how would you check it for correct hardness?
I was wondering if I placed a small disc of rubber or other shock absorbing material behind the recoil spring guide, if that might help. It seems to me that it would mildly pretension the spring and also midly limit the rearward travel of the slide. Any opinions on this idea will be appreciated.
Thank you.
rhtwist