Question about timing on USFA

[Buckaroo Lou]

I have an as new (only one cylinder of amo fired) USFA single action that I purchased recently and when cocking it the bolt drops right at the top of the cylinder notch ramp, where it is shallowest, and is beginning to make a slight indentation. It appears as though the timing is off ever so slightly. I have an older one, also, that I purchased about a year ago that I have shot only once and it has the same thing only the indentations are deeper and more predominate. It appears to have been used or at least turned much more the the one I recently purchased. It appears to me that the bolt should drop a little further into the ramp and it would not leave the indentation. What can I do if anything to prevent my newer one from getting the same indentations that my older one has and what can I do with the older one to prevent it from becomming worse? Anything short of having to send them back to the factory?


Thanks, Buckaroo Lou 

[Pettifogger]

Don't you think it strange that two guns purchased a year apart would have the same "problem?"  Sounds like the bolt is dropping right where it is supposed to, especially for CAS shooting.  If it drops to far down the lead in groove, then you risk having over rotation at high speeds.  If you haven't already done so, I would get rid of the factory bolt/trigger spring.  It is like a truck spring.  Put in an aftermarket lighter model and it won't ding the cylinder as hard when the bolt drops. 

[Coffinmaker]

It would appear the timing on both guns is a bit early.  The timing for bolt rise is primarily driven by the hammer cam and the bolt legs.  If the bolt leg has not been altered from original condition (look on the end for evidence of filing) then the hammer cam may be miss-located by a couple of thou.  
If the bolt leg had not been shortened and the bolt is "stock" there is NO easy fix.  If the leg has been shortened, replacing the bolt and re-timing may resolve the problem.  If the bolt is "stock" the problem is the hammer cam.  the cam can be removed and the hammer drilled and replacement cam made.  That ain't cheap.
It is more desirable to have the timing a bit early rather than late.  Late usually results in "bounce Out" and "throw by."
Unless you just can't live with it, leave it as is and shoot it.  The "fix" may not be worth the result.

Coffinmaker

[Fox Creek Kid]

It would appear the timing on both guns is a bit early.  The timing for bolt rise is primarily driven by the hammer cam and the bolt legs.  If the bolt leg has not been altered from original condition (look on the end for evidence of filing) then the hammer cam may be miss-located by a couple of thou. 
If the bolt leg had not been shortened and the bolt is "stock" there is NO easy fix.  If the leg has been shortened, replacing the bolt and re-timing may resolve the problem.  If the bolt is "stock" the problem is the hammer cam.  the cam can be removed and the hammer drilled and replacement cam made.  That ain't cheap.
It is more desirable to have the timing a bit early rather than late.  Late usually results in "bounce Out" and "throw by."
Unless you just can't live with it, leave it as is and shoot it.  The "fix" may not be worth the result.

Coffinmaker

Buckaroo Lou, the aforementioned paragraph is a superb explanation of the inner workings of Colt. I am having a cam replaced on a gun that did what yours is doing and it took my gun YEARS and THOUSANDS of rounds before the bolt started coming up too early. Coffinmaker is right, don't pole vault over a rat turd. 

[Buckaroo Lou]

Thanks for the good info. There is plenty to think about. You are probably right about just living with it. I have another USFA I purchased new from Doug Turnbull and the timing on it is perfect. I guess I am a little picky as I don't like to see rings or indentations on the cylinder. I realize sometimes it just happens but I sure like to prevent it if I can. I thought the timing on the as new one would be as good as my Turnbull one since it is near new from the factory. Want to try and keep them as pristine as long as possible. Thanks for the good response and advise.

Buckaroo Lou