I have a Colt Magnum Carry revolver that generally I'm very happy with. It has a very good trigger pull although its strikes seemed to be a little off-center and a little light. This notwithstanding I have never had a familiar to fire from it. It however sometimes jams up at the trigger when firing rapidly. This is a result of the trigger not been allowed to fully move forward and reset. I realized that any firearm’s trigger must be allowed to move completely forward before it can be fired a second time. This however is not a problem with any other firearm that I own. I believe that the problem lies in the fact that the trigger returns bring on this weapon is underpowered. Has anyone had a similar experience with this revolver?
Colt Magnum Carry trigger problem
- Thread starter George Leitner
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The first version of this gun was The Colt SF-VI (Small Frame, Six Shot).
The early models had a note in the owner's manual stating that the trigger return spring might be too light for some user's, and the trigger might not reset properly for some people.
The note stated that if you had problems with trigger reset, Colt would replace the standard trigger spring with a stronger trigger.
I had assumed Colt corrected any problems by putting stronger trigger return springs in the later DSII and Magnum Carry guns.
I would contact Colt and ask if they still offer trigger spring replacement.
The early models had a note in the owner's manual stating that the trigger return spring might be too light for some user's, and the trigger might not reset properly for some people.
The note stated that if you had problems with trigger reset, Colt would replace the standard trigger spring with a stronger trigger.
I had assumed Colt corrected any problems by putting stronger trigger return springs in the later DSII and Magnum Carry guns.
I would contact Colt and ask if they still offer trigger spring replacement.
If you've ever thought about having an action job done,
this might be the opportune time. A liberal smoothing of the innards may allow the springs to do their job every time.
this might be the opportune time. A liberal smoothing of the innards may allow the springs to do their job every time.
don't guess-gauge!
Well, as a seasoned and trained revolver armorer, you might be guessing. First and foremost, you should gauge inspect your firing pin protrusion. Should be in the neighborhood of at least .042 min to .056 max). A gauge is cheap (under $25.00) and will tell you a lot. Go to the problem, not the symptom.
Well, as a seasoned and trained revolver armorer, you might be guessing. First and foremost, you should gauge inspect your firing pin protrusion. Should be in the neighborhood of at least .042 min to .056 max). A gauge is cheap (under $25.00) and will tell you a lot. Go to the problem, not the symptom.
dfariswheel, seems to have a handle on it. I have followed his posts for a while now and he seems to know Colts pretty well.
The return spring on the Magnum Carry is part of the main spring assembly.
Ah, here in lies the rub, if you increase the main spring tension so you have a "good" return on your trigger, you have a heavy main spring, which translates into a heavy trigger pull. Lighten the trigger pull, you have a light return on the trigger.
S&W have a seperate return trigger spring, unlike Colts as you speak of.
The solution is for you to get a heavier mainspring, and yes your trigger pull will increase.
And something else you might do when you have the spring out for repair. Dehorn that cotton pickin' trigger. Round off all the sharp corners. File the trigger round at the bottom instead of a sharpened square like it is now. Do the sides of the trigger also. Oh yeah baby, been there, done that. The trigger would eat into my finger with every pull until I did that filing and sand paper job on that bad boy. Take your time and smooth the dickins out of it. Becareful if you are doing it, there is a VERY VERY SMALL spring right behind the hammer block that could be easily lost if you are not careful. Be watchful of it.
The return spring on the Magnum Carry is part of the main spring assembly.
Ah, here in lies the rub, if you increase the main spring tension so you have a "good" return on your trigger, you have a heavy main spring, which translates into a heavy trigger pull. Lighten the trigger pull, you have a light return on the trigger.
S&W have a seperate return trigger spring, unlike Colts as you speak of.
The solution is for you to get a heavier mainspring, and yes your trigger pull will increase.
And something else you might do when you have the spring out for repair. Dehorn that cotton pickin' trigger. Round off all the sharp corners. File the trigger round at the bottom instead of a sharpened square like it is now. Do the sides of the trigger also. Oh yeah baby, been there, done that. The trigger would eat into my finger with every pull until I did that filing and sand paper job on that bad boy. Take your time and smooth the dickins out of it. Becareful if you are doing it, there is a VERY VERY SMALL spring right behind the hammer block that could be easily lost if you are not careful. Be watchful of it.
springs, transfer bars & a lot more
First,
He should properly diagnose the problem. The inspection procedure I described is correct. (See Jerry Kuhnhausens Colt Revolver Manual). Second, other problems could affect his light hits such as improperly functioning DA sear, transfer bar drag and a host of other mechanical problems. Sorry, no cigar. I am properly trained, and the problem is not necessarily what you describe. By and large, the mainspring and trigger return spring have two opposite effects on firing pin protrusion and safety reset. Try again, gauging my boy.
First,
He should properly diagnose the problem. The inspection procedure I described is correct. (See Jerry Kuhnhausens Colt Revolver Manual). Second, other problems could affect his light hits such as improperly functioning DA sear, transfer bar drag and a host of other mechanical problems. Sorry, no cigar. I am properly trained, and the problem is not necessarily what you describe. By and large, the mainspring and trigger return spring have two opposite effects on firing pin protrusion and safety reset. Try again, gauging my boy.
AHHHHHHH, let's take another read of the original post.
George Leitner is not having light firing pin strike problems, he's having trigger reset failure problems.
As I described above, this was a problem on the early SF-VI guns, to the extent Colt put a warning notice in the manuals, and an offer to replace the spring with a stronger model if the owner had problems.
The SF-VI frame guns have an odd spring system that uses the "Vee" mainspring from the "D" frame guns, but this ONLY powers the hammer. The lower leg is resting on the frame, and has no effect on the trigger.
The trigger uses a separate trigger return spring. It's this spring Colt offered to replace.
George Leitner is not having light firing pin strike problems, he's having trigger reset failure problems.
As I described above, this was a problem on the early SF-VI guns, to the extent Colt put a warning notice in the manuals, and an offer to replace the spring with a stronger model if the owner had problems.
The SF-VI frame guns have an odd spring system that uses the "Vee" mainspring from the "D" frame guns, but this ONLY powers the hammer. The lower leg is resting on the frame, and has no effect on the trigger.
The trigger uses a separate trigger return spring. It's this spring Colt offered to replace.
diagnosis
I believe he stated that he liked his trigger pull - however.......
"it's strikes seem to be off center and a little light". Well, that has nothing to do with the trigger reset.
If you are willing to look and learn.......Next gunshow - check out Kuhnhausens excellant book "Colt Revolvers, Volume 2". I can interpret the technical data because I learned how to repair revolvers the proper way, by expert parts fitters and gun assemblers. Any assertion that off centered/light strikes should not be gauged inspected is wrong, period. I would look at mechnical issues like 1. Firing Pin Protrusion (within factory specs)? 2. Headspace (erratic ignition & excessive endshake)? These are the mechanical issues that cause problems. And I baited you in the last post. The Colt DA sear has NO letout adjustment! Just saw if you picked up on that one.
I believe he stated that he liked his trigger pull - however.......
"it's strikes seem to be off center and a little light". Well, that has nothing to do with the trigger reset.
If you are willing to look and learn.......Next gunshow - check out Kuhnhausens excellant book "Colt Revolvers, Volume 2". I can interpret the technical data because I learned how to repair revolvers the proper way, by expert parts fitters and gun assemblers. Any assertion that off centered/light strikes should not be gauged inspected is wrong, period. I would look at mechnical issues like 1. Firing Pin Protrusion (within factory specs)? 2. Headspace (erratic ignition & excessive endshake)? These are the mechanical issues that cause problems. And I baited you in the last post. The Colt DA sear has NO letout adjustment! Just saw if you picked up on that one.
With all due respect, I don't quite understand what you're talking about.
The original poster's question ISN"T about light strikes. To quote him: "It however sometimes jams up at the trigger when firing rapidly. This is a result of the trigger not been allowed to fully move forward and reset".
Yes, he mentioned light strikes, but that wasn't the question he asked about. He was asking about trigger return failure.
Second, I'm always willing to learn. I've been a Certified Master Watchmaker, AND a trained Colt pistolsmith since 1969. I didn't learn from fitters and assemblers, I learned from the Colt factory.
Since 1969, I figure I've worked on around 15,000 Colt revolvers.
I bought BOTH of Jerry Kunhausen's Colt revolver books as soon as they came out, and did learn from them.
Next, Volumn Two covers the Colt J, V, and AA medium frame Colt revolvers, NOT the SF-VI frame guns. Since the SF-VI frame is new, there are no currently available published specs on these guns.
Last, there is no DA "sear" in a modern Colt revolver. There is a strut, which some people chose to call a "sear".
To adjust the strut let out, see Kunhausen's Colt's Volumn One, page 94.
The original poster's question ISN"T about light strikes. To quote him: "It however sometimes jams up at the trigger when firing rapidly. This is a result of the trigger not been allowed to fully move forward and reset".
Yes, he mentioned light strikes, but that wasn't the question he asked about. He was asking about trigger return failure.
Second, I'm always willing to learn. I've been a Certified Master Watchmaker, AND a trained Colt pistolsmith since 1969. I didn't learn from fitters and assemblers, I learned from the Colt factory.
Since 1969, I figure I've worked on around 15,000 Colt revolvers.
I bought BOTH of Jerry Kunhausen's Colt revolver books as soon as they came out, and did learn from them.
Next, Volumn Two covers the Colt J, V, and AA medium frame Colt revolvers, NOT the SF-VI frame guns. Since the SF-VI frame is new, there are no currently available published specs on these guns.
Last, there is no DA "sear" in a modern Colt revolver. There is a strut, which some people chose to call a "sear".
To adjust the strut let out, see Kunhausen's Colt's Volumn One, page 94.
Colt trained
Then what are you waiting for? I guess you should fix his firearm. That is, assuming you are federally licensed to engage in "the buisness of gunsmithing".
Then what are you waiting for? I guess you should fix his firearm. That is, assuming you are federally licensed to engage in "the buisness of gunsmithing".
Dferiswheels diagnosis?
And try Volume 2 (J/V/AA) guns DO NOT REQUIRE a strut letout adjustment (commonly called a "Double Action Sear"). Just profile cleanup (P-77) Volume 2. The newer Colts DO NOT have a Rebound Lever. Dfariswheel, I think you need to Re-certify. But 69' is a long time ago. Maybe your memory is fading? Because the newer DS and Magnum Carry are based on the newer Transfer system. The one without that pesky (albiet nice) rebound lever. And if we cannot see his references to "light hits, off center". Good luck on the range when you test fire.
And try Volume 2 (J/V/AA) guns DO NOT REQUIRE a strut letout adjustment (commonly called a "Double Action Sear"). Just profile cleanup (P-77) Volume 2. The newer Colts DO NOT have a Rebound Lever. Dfariswheel, I think you need to Re-certify. But 69' is a long time ago. Maybe your memory is fading? Because the newer DS and Magnum Carry are based on the newer Transfer system. The one without that pesky (albiet nice) rebound lever. And if we cannot see his references to "light hits, off center". Good luck on the range when you test fire.
RA, LIGHTEN UP, will ya??? We ALL believe you THINK you understand the problem...might want to "Re-read" the first post, however...while the poster DOES, in passing, mention something about off-center FPstrikes, he notes that he's NEVER had a "Failure to Fire" with his lil' Colt...dfariswheel has give LOTS of good adice here and elsewhere...so why don't you just COOL IT for a while???....mikey357
dfariswheel has been posting for a long time. I have always found his post informative and enlightening.
He has always repected everyone elses views.
He has helped me out on a few times. I don't think he has to provide his cridentials to anyone.
He has always repected everyone elses views.
He has helped me out on a few times. I don't think he has to provide his cridentials to anyone.
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