Walker Colt gunsmithing help needed

Bristow Kid · July 16, 2006, 01:17:59 PM

I bought a used Walker Colt that is known to have problems. When I receive the Walker does anyone have any tips or references to working on them?

St. George · July 16, 2006, 02:12:25 PM

Ask the seller what problems is 'supposed' to have.

Then - when you take possession - clean the thing thoroughly.

Really thoroughly...

Apply grease where needed and lube accordingly - then cycle it to see if a really 'good' cleaning took care of the problems.

Often - especially with BP guns - that's your 'fix' right there.

Some guys get lazy in their maintenance - and BP's not real forgiving.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Bristow Kid · July 16, 2006, 02:24:41 PM

St.George

The seller told me the timing was off and he couldn't get the barrel wedge pin out. Do you think a good cleaning and lubing would take care of these problems?

Chance · July 16, 2006, 02:37:18 PM

Hi, Kid
Not sure what you mean by the 'barrel wedge pin'? If it's the wedge itself then a knock with a soft headed hammer should do the trick. Try taking the wedge screw out first.
As St. George says, a good cleaning is often all that's needed.
As for the tming, the Walker is no different to the other BP Colts when you strip it. Just that things are a bit bigger!

St. George · July 16, 2006, 02:39:39 PM

Without seeing it - but 'assuming' (yeah - I know...) that all else is equal - I think that a good cleaning can markedly help with the timing.

First - you'll need to remove the wedge neatly - so find a good plastic mallet and do that.

Once you do - the cylinder rachet can be seen and cleaned after you remove the cylinder from the arbor.

You want to look for burrs.

If they're there - stone them away carefully - maintaining original bevels/angles.

Who made the big thing?

Some parts are available - depending upon manufacturer - and you need to be prepared for that.

If you haven't paid - maybe you can negotiate a bit more and cite 'gunsmithing fees' as an extra expense on your part - though you may not need to worry, once you've detail-stripped it and cleaned away accumulated crud and stoned away any burring.

Wait 'til it appears - then send me a PM - and go on from there.

Meanwhile - see if your local Library has anything on Black Powder guns and check it out to review disassembly/cleaning techniques.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Bristow Kid · July 16, 2006, 04:11:14 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I will let you know what I find out.

Bristow Kid · July 21, 2006, 12:06:44 AM

Boy I got a doozy. First the wedge is in upside down. Two the cylinder won't rotate and three the hammer will not cock. Needless to say I just got it today and haven't had it apart yet. Is it gonna be hard to remove the wedge since its upside down? I'll worry about the rest after I can get it apart.

Bristow Kid · July 21, 2006, 06:28:12 AM

OK Got the wedge pin out. How do I remove the barrel? It won't budge. Doesn't look like it was cleaned too good last time it was used. Any hints???

St. George · July 21, 2006, 08:16:06 AM

Get some oil down to either end of the cylinder - better yet, get some 'Kroil', since it 'really' penetrates.

Point is - you need something to help lube the 'glue' that no doubt formed from the un-cleaned BP residue.

Wait a couple of days - kinda 'wiggling' different things with just hand pressure - to help along the oil's penetration.

Once that's done - move the cylinder out of battery by a half-turn and use the loading lever's 'ramrod' to press against the cylinder's face and 'lever' the barrel off of the arbor.

Now - disassemble everything else and get to scrubbing.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Bristow Kid · July 22, 2006, 09:06:31 AM

OK boys heres the poop on the Walker. Got everything apart but the barrel. Its still stuck tight. Figured out why the cylinder wouldn't rotate and couldn't cock it. There was a screw lose and laying in the action. Now that the cylinder rotates and all that jazz. It won't lock up. When I pull the hammer to full cock the trigger barely moves and unless I manually move it forward it won't lock. Any thoughts on that? Still soaking the barrel in penatrating oil. Hopefully soon I can get it off. Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys I really appreciate it.

St. George · July 22, 2006, 09:35:27 AM

Taking it literally - if you've got everything 'apart' - then that 'should' include the hammer and trigger and all sprngs and screws.

The trigger's not going to engage without spring tension.

If the trigger's spring is broken - it's easily replaced.

As to your stuck barrel - 'Kroil' or Kerosene - or any of the other suggested lubricants on this Forum and on the 'Darksider's Den' will work - eventually - so be patient.

You 'can' speed up the process by heating and by manipulation, as well as a rap to the muzzle with a rubber/leather/plastic/wood mallet to 'break' the accumulated crud.

Good Luck.

Scouts Out!

warbucks16 · July 22, 2006, 12:25:51 PM

If you need a Schematic or Parts List or to order parts you might want to look at this web site.

Regards,

https://www.vtigunparts.com/ab2240000Equick/default.asp

Regards,

Warbucks16

Bristow Kid · July 22, 2006, 12:32:56 PM

Thanks for the link warbucks

St.George Thanks for the advice and information.

Bristow Kid · July 25, 2006, 05:08:06 PM

Happy Day Happy Day I got the barrel off my Walker. I'd really like to thank everyone for their assistance. I'll post updates when I get it shooting. And will try and post pictures.

Bristow Kid · July 30, 2006, 10:20:04 AM

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Ok y'all I got another question for ya. The base pin on my Walker I think is too long. I shouldn't have to use a rubber mallet to driv the barrel on right? And once I get it on I shouldn't have to heat beat and spray with penetrating oil to get it off again right? Any suggestions on how to fix this problem would be much appreciated. It alread looks like someone tried to take some of the metal off the end of the base pin with a grinder or something. HELP please.