takedown info for colt govt 380 auto?

[patrolman]

hey y'all,

just got a colt govt 380 auto (mk iv, series 80) from a buddy who took it apart to clean it and could not re-assemble it. it is now resting in a bag containing several frame parts. i got the slide back together, as it is very similar to a govt .45, but I am at a loss on how to re-assemble the frame parts. seems the govt 380 auto and the govt .45 do not follow the same design parameters.

got the owner's manual using some google-fu, but the manual does not cover frame re-assembly. anyone know where i can find an exploded drawing or similar diagram to assist in re-assembly? help is, as always, much appreciated.

 

[Bullseye57]

Try this one. Not the clearest copy but it should help. http://stevespages.com/pdf/colt_mkiv_series_80_380_auto_pistols.pdf

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

 

[gb6491]

There is a little cleaner parts diagram here:
http://www.coltparts.com/pt_380semiauto.html

Here's an article to induce you to spend some money on your new acquisition:
http://www.cylinder-slide.com/colt380.shtml

Regards,
greg

 

[patrolman]

thanks bullseye and gb for the info.
gb, too bad that pistol isn't mine. it's a neat little sucker...

 

[The Tourist]

I like mine, but except for aligning the ejector, I've never had much trouble re-assembling the pistol. In fact, I just insert the magazine and the ejector is replaced to the proper position.

Did you detail strip the entire receiver?

 

[patrolman]

tourist,

the frame appears to have been disassembled at some point and the following issues cropped up after said buddy attempted the re-assembly:

it appears the ejector has reversed itself against the sear spring

it also appears that the hammer strut is out of whack, being that i can see the top of the hammer strut sticking up behind the hammer. looks like it has become dislodged completely from the hammer, and as a result is preventing the hammer from cocking

the reversed ejector seems like an easy fix, but any advice on the hammer strut?

 

[gb6491]

Patrolman,
Here's a cutaway (not the best quality) of the Mustang that might help and a link about the ejector:


http://web.mac.com/mj_lauer/iWeb/RangeDiary/Stuff/8174CE21-5060-4F0B-8F7A-DAE1E3CB4AA0.html

Regards,
Greg

 

[Bullseye57]

The Mustang 380 instruction manual link, I posted earlier in this thread, has a description of how to rectify a reversed extractor on pages 40 and 41. That solution may also help with your repositioning the hammer strut as you have to manually move the sear spring with tool. The strut is held in place on the hammer by mainspring tension. The link posted above by gb6491 also has a nice pictorial view and directions of how to reverse the ejector.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

 

[patrolman]

thanks everybody for the links and diagrams.
got that sucker back in action this afternoon.
ejector was a pretty easy fix with the info.
the hammer strut was a different story...

 

[OSXWrangler]

Don't feel alone. I spent a good long while putting mine back together again the first time I stripped it to clean. That little ejector lever is madding when it turns in on itself. Of course that is the first thing mine did. :banghead:

Beware of the tiny but powerful spring and pin under the safety. Don't turn the safety too far with the grips off. The danged thing will fly across the room and you will send hours searching for it.

Thanks Greg for that very nice cutaway drawing.