Pistol Smith Forum banner
1 - 7 of 7 Posts

· Registered
Joined
·
14 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I have a Colt New Service in 45 Colt in the shop. I need the extractor rod end and the extractor star itself. Anyone know any source of old Colt parts? Numrich and Jack First don't have the parts.

Bill Jacobs
Bolt&Barrel Gunsmithing, LLC
Greenwood, SC
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,766 Posts
Since I don't know your training or services, the following may be over-kill.....

The Colt Model 1917 was just a version of the Colt New Service.
All parts other then the cylinder made for use with clips will interchange WITH FITTING.

Note that the ejector (extractor star or ratchet) is NOT a drop in part.
At the factory the ejector was fitted to the cylinder, then the assembly is fitted to the frame by machining off the rear of the ejector to set head space.
Since the ejector and cylinder were fitted to a specific frame, they usually won't fit a different frame.
If the ejector is too long, you're golden and it can usually be used.
If the ejector is too short, you're out of luck. They can't be "stretched".
All you can do is buy another and hope it's usable.

After fitting the ejector to the cylinder and then they were fitted to the frame, everything else was based off that.
Among other things the cylinder assembly has to be adjusted for....
Head space.
Barrel-cylinder end shake. (back and forth movement. MUST be less then 0.003")
Barrel-cylinder gap. (between 0.004" and 0.008")
Alignment on all chambers.
Timing on all chambers. (Timing is CRITICAL). **** See below.

This is a job for a Master pistolsmith. Note that just because a cylinder will snap into the frame is NO indication it actually fits or is even safe to fire.

Gun Parts sell replica ejector rod heads....

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/194670

Poppert's have ejectors (ratchet).

Poppert's Obsolete Gun Parts Specials

I suggest buying the Jerry Kuhnhausen Shop Manual Volume One.
This doesn't specifically cover the New Service-1917 but all the gunsmithing techniques are the same.
This was written as a training aid for new pistolsmiths and covers everything on the older Colt's including how to install a new ejector.
This is the best money you can spend if you're working on a Colt and can safe a lot of grief.....

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...revolvers-shop-manual-volume-i-prod25720.aspx

Last..... If you would like to have it correctly repaired these two pistolsmiths are real Colt experts. Their prices and turn around are excellent....

Frank Glenn-Glenn Custom Complete Gunsmithing Service Glendale AZ A real Master on Colt's.

https://www.facebook.com/spartanfirearmcompany/
This gunsmith was trained at Colt Firearms under one of their legendary gunsmiths. He has Colt parts, possibly even New Service.

****As above timing is CRITICAL.
Here's how to check the old Colt's for proper timing. Unlike other brands of revolvers the older Colt's are extremely specific on timing. There's no "almost", it's either right or it's wrong...there is no in between. If it's wrong it just doesn't function correctly.
The old Colt's are said to be watchmakers guns for a good reason and that's also why almost no one works on them anymore.

CHECKING OLD MODEL COLT TIMING

To check Colt timing:

BOLT RETRACTION AND "SNAP BACK".
Open the cylinder and look at the small "lug" in the bottom of the cylinder window. This is the cylinder locking bolt.
Cock the hammer, and watch as the bolt retracts into the frame and pops back out.
The bolt MUST begin to retract THE INSTANT the hammer begins to move.
There MUST be NO (ZERO) hammer movement possible before the bolt starts to retract.
The bolt should retract smoothly with no hesitation until it's fully retracted, then it must pop back out with a clean "snap".
There should be no hesitation, and no amount of "creeping" back out.

CYLINDER UNLOCKING.
Close the cylinder.
Use your left thumb or fore finger to again cock the hammer, closely watching the cylinder bolt as you SLOWLY cock the hammer.
As the hammer comes back, the bolt will retract away from the cylinder.
The bolt must retract far enough to unlock the cylinder BEFORE the cylinder begins to rotate.
If the bolt is still slightly engaged with the cylinder lock notch, the cylinder will be attempting to turn while still partially locked.
This produces a "catch" or "hard spot" in the trigger pull and will damage both the bolt and the cylinder lock notches.
This often appears as metal "pulled out" of the lock notches, with rounded off and burred notches.

BOLT DROP TIMING.
Continue to cock the hammer, LIGHTLY laying your right index finger on the cylinder just enough to prevent "free wheeling".
Watch for the bolt to drop back onto the cylinder. WHERE the bolt drops is CRITICAL.
The bolt MUST drop onto the leade or ramp in front of the actual cylinder notch.
If the bolt drops too soon, (in front of the notch ramp), it will mar the finish of the cylinder.
The bolt should drop into “about” the middle of the ramp.
If the bolt drops late, (farther toward the actual locking notch) the revolver may display "cylinder throw-by".
In this condition, during double action shooting the cylinder may rotate PAST the locking notch, and fire in an unlocked condition.
It's the nature of the Colt action, that a hesitant or jerky trigger pull by the user can induce throw-by in even a properly tuned Colt.
The Colt trigger should be pulled with a smooth, even pull, with no sudden jerks at the beginning.

CYLINDER LOCKUP.
Continue to pull the hammer back and both watch and listen for the bolt to drop into the cylinder lock notch.
The bolt must drop into the actual lock notch before or just as the hammer reaches full cock.
The most common Colt mis-time situation is the hammer cocks before the bolt drops into the lock notch. (Hammer is cocked, but cylinder isn't locked).
In this condition, with the hammer fully cocked, you can push the cylinder slightly, and you will hear the "CLICK" as the bolt drops into lock.
In my experience, most Colt's leave the factory with the bolt dropping a little late into the leade, but usually wear in to correct timing.
If the bolt drops onto the cylinder early, no real problem, but there will be extra finish wear.
If the bolt drops late (closer to the lock notch) the cylinder may "throw by" or rotate TOO far in double action and this can cause off-center primer hits and firing while unlocked.

Each of these checks should be done on EACH chamber. All of these checks are better done individually. In other words, do the bolt retraction check on all six chambers, then do the bolt drop test, and so on.

A properly tuned Colt will:
Have a smoothly functioning bolt with no sticky or hesitant movement.

Unlock before the cylinder begins to turn.

The bolt will drop onto the middle of the ramp.

The bolt will drop into the lock notch just before or as the hammer reaches full cock.

Have a smooth trigger pull, which does "stack" or get heavier as the trigger is pulled.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
14 Posts
Discussion Starter · #3 ·
Thanks for the information. I am an old gunsmith, but I know my limitations! I am NOT a Colt revolversmith. I called one of the shops you referenced, and they should be able to help me.

Bill Jacobs
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,766 Posts
Backing off is one of the hardest things a technician in any trade can do.
There's an irresistible urge to figure you can do it even if you never have before.

A major part of my work was in a trade shop repairing Colt revolvers for gunsmiths who either were smart enough to know they didn't know, or saving a gunsmith who got caught and couldn't figure it out.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
14 Posts
Discussion Starter · #5 ·
Followup: I got my customer's gun back from Spartan Firearms. They unraveled part of the mystery and uncovered some more. This gun started life as a model 1917 in 45 ACP. At some time the cylinder was reamed to .45 LC, and a New Service barrel was installed. The headspace was horribly off, the frame was bent, etc., etc.

Spartan remachined the cylinder, set the barrel back a thread, and turned an unsafe paperweight into a shooter! My customer is delighted!

Bill Jacobs
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,766 Posts
Great. Nice to have a New Service model saved.
Back in the 60's the New Service based Model 1917's were being surplussed off by the military and the US Post office.
Since they were cheap, many got "converted" (often butchered) into all sorts of configurations.

The bent frame was very likely caused by the old gag of locking the barrel in a vise and using a hammer handle through the frame window.
This often either bends the frame or cracks it through the underside of the frame's barrel threads where it's thin.

Spartan was trained at the Colt factory and knows his stuff.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2 Posts
I have sent several of my old Colt New Service Revolvers to Spartan Firearms (Leonard Spekin, Greg, etc) Working out of Ole Gun Shack Welcome to ole gun shack llc and besides the fantastic conversations, the work and knowledge has been amazing! There is so much history and awareness about Colts with Leonard, it is staggering. Great work and just an overall fantastic experience.
 
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
Top