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View Full Version : Refurbishing a Colt: Things I want to run by you guys.


Azrael256
23rd September 2006, 15:10
So, Bro-in-law recently acquired dad's Series 70 Colt, and it needs a little work. Most of it is cosmetic stuff, but a few things caught my attention.

First off, the disconnect. The bottom rail on the slide has some rather hideous machining marks, and they have worn a bit of a flat spot on the tip of the disconnect. This made me nervous. The gun hasn't doubled or run away, but the tip has definitely been flattened. The paddle also looks a little rough. One of the bottom corners is slightly rounded. All of these wear marks look to be the rough equivalent of one or two swipes on a stone (they weren't intentional, just giving an idea of how they look). I'm thinking replacement. Any thoughts?

Slide stop. There is some pretty hideous wear on the face that pushes the plunger in on installation. The frame has an unusually deep idiot mark. It looks like dad used the "hold it with the thumb and slap it in with the heel of the palm" technique for a couple decades. I'm debating replacement. Thoughts?

The extractor is clocking, and the FPS has plenty of wiggle room. I guess the solution to this one is pretty obvious, but I'll take any commentary anyone has.

So, my real question is which idiot built this pistol, and where does he live? The machining marks are hideous (bottom rail and the bottom edges of the slide rails), the trigger pull is atrocious, and the grip safety rattles like it's two sizes too small... and these are all factory parts.

Joni Lynn
23rd September 2006, 15:15
Sounds about like a lot of the Colt's I have or had. If you are going to replace parts, I suggest looking at EGW, they offer most of what you're talking about. Then again if the gun functions ok I might be inclined to leave it alone except for maybe a trigger job.
Having a knowledgable gunsmith check it out might be a good idea also.

Hunter
23rd September 2006, 15:22
I agree with Joni and have a good gunsmith take a look at it for safetys sake. Any parts that need replacing I would go back with Colt parts.

Azrael256
23rd September 2006, 16:49
I would go back with Colt parts Why? Having a knowledgable gunsmith check it out might be a good idea also. Will do. Anything I decide to replace, I'm going to do myself, but I'll run it by a pro before any live testing.

Hunter
23rd September 2006, 17:03
2 reasons, first to keep the pistol with factory Colt parts and they are of excellent quality.

John
23rd September 2006, 17:44
Firing pin stop : EGW square bottom one.
Slide stop: Either Colt or EGW checkered one, or Armscor checkered one.
Disconnector: I think EGW has one, if not go with either Wilson or Ed Brown or Colt.
Thumb safety: If you like the simple ones, get a Colt, if you want a slightly extended one, get a Wilson Combat.
Disconnector ridge: Get some emery cloth, a wooden stick a little less wide than the slide rails, wrap it with the cloths and start polishing.

Ericthenorse
23rd September 2006, 19:23
Just polish off the rough spots.... Don't try to get it perfectly smooth... You might take off too much.... Bumpy is OK, rough to the touch is not....