Colt Woodsman reassembly problem

[RandyJ]

I recently was given and old Woodsman, serial # 92xxx, that did not fire. I dissembled it and saw it was missing the trigger bar. Ordered an experienced replacement from Numrich Gun Parts and reassembled after a thorough cleaning. Now the gun will fire only one time. It fires, ejects the spent case, strips a round from the magazine, inserts it in camber and closes the bolt, but will not fire again. Manually cycling the bolt will eject the live round, and load another. It will now fire,eject, reload and not fire again.

I took the gun apart and reassemble with out the bolt.

Without the sear spring installed, holding the gun upside down I push the hammer into the cocked position. When the trigger is pulled it moves the sear and the hammer falls.

With the sear spring installed I push the hammer into the cocked position. When the trigger is pulled the trigger bar moves does not move the sear and the hammer does not fall.

 

[Rule3]

Maybe these might help?

 

[Hurricane]

I had a similar issue on a Beretta 92FS after it was returned from the factory. It would fire once, cycle, eject and load, but the hammer followed the slide down and it wouldn't shoot again. It turned out the sear spring was installed incorrectly and all I had to do was invert it. I realize these are two different spring types, but I would start there. It may not be upside down or inverted, but maybe it could be the placement? I've never taken a woodsman apart, but can you install the sear spring with the hammer in different positions? Like maybe it has to go in when the hammer is down or maybe it goes in when cocked? It's hard for me to say without actually seeing it. Usually when I have issues like that in a reassembly, it's a case of getting parts back in the right sequence. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

 

[RandyJ]

Hurricane, tried it both ways before i looked for a video, it only fits one way. John Browning was thinking of me and designed it to be dummy resistant.

Rule3, I followed the instructions of the top video (bandaged finger) and it is very accurate. Only thing he did not mention was to NEVER take out the main spring in the unless it is absolutely necessary, took an hour to figure how to reinstall without a compression tool. Will reassemble and try it again. My first thought was the sear spring was weak as the pistol was made around 1934, but a weak sprint would most likely cause it fire unintentionally or worse full auto. Will repost my results.

 

[lemaymiami]

and if no additional info on this board - you might post this on the "gunsmithing and repairs" board near the bottom of this site. Good luck on sorting this out and please post up what the fix was...

 

[RandyJ]

and if no additional info on this board - you might post this on the "gunsmithing and repairs" board near the bottom of this site. Good luck on sorting this out and please post up what the fix was...

thanks will do -
Randy

 

[RandyJ]

Problem solved. I replaced the mainspring and the hammer would cock successfully after each shot.But, it would fire 3-4 times and the assembly lock would catch and lock the main spring. i removed the spring and assembly lock. lubed and re-seated the assembly lock, re-installed spring. All is good. the pistol is a pleasure to shoot now.