Shooting your Walker without loading arm falling down

[Barrelhouse Bob]

I found a simple method for shooting my Walker with stout loads and not having the loading arm fall down. I small wedge between the arm and the retaing spring is all it takes. A short piece of a kitchen match (about 3/8 inchs long) pushed into the small opening behind the retaining spring will keep it from moving, thus holding the lever up.

It is easy to do and works quite well.

[Harley Starr]

I found a simple method for shooting my Walker with stout loads and not having the loading arm fall down. I small wedge between the arm and the retaing spring is all it takes. A short piece of a kitchen match (about 3/8 inchs long) pushed into the small opening behind the retaining spring will keep it from moving, thus holding the lever up.

It is easy to do and works quite well.

I'd like to see some pictures of this procedure.

[Deadguy]

I just file the end of the lever catch into more of a hook shape so it's not a semi-circle anymore.  Keeps it up on even the heaviest of loads, though requires more muscle to pull the lever down.

[Russ McCrae]

Again, this thread is useless with out pics!!!

[Harley Starr]

Wait a minute, didn't the Texas Rangers wrap a small piece of leather hide around the lever and the barrel? I think I heard about that from somewhere before. They may have been mistaken with that bit of info. I think that would be an interesting thing to see though.

[River City John]

Bread ties.
Highly recommended.

[Harley Starr]

Bread ties.
Highly recommended.

[oldwolf]

I just file the end of the lever catch into more of a hook shape so it's not a semi-circle anymore.  Keeps it up on even the heaviest of loads, though requires more muscle to pull the lever down.

I'd like to do this but I'm a little nervous taking a file to my Whitneyville.

[Dirty Brass]

I've done it to two of my older Walkers, but I too would be reluctant to file on a new Walker 

Maybe after shooting it a few times it might be easier.....   

[Crow Choker]

I had same problem with my 2nd Model Dragoon, although not a Walker, same resulting problem. I wrestled with taking a file to it for some time. If I kept loads to 34 grains or less, had no problems, but liked using 36 grains and the lever would drop at least once per cylinder full. Got tired of that, filed the groove on the barrel stud deeper(took my time), touched it up with Brownell's Oxo-Blue, and after several years of firing, have only had it drop once that I can recall. Like gettin a new car, ya have to take it down a muddy road sometime!

[Montana Slim]

I'm not afraid to mess with them...my new 3rd model Dragoon (Uberti) dropped the rod several times on the first range session. After cleaning for the day, I carefully removed the retainer pin, retainer & spring. Then selected a stronger spring from my assortment & reassembled. Never dropped since the repair. My favorite loads are a full chmber of 3F & 200 grain bullet.

I'll report on the Walker repair someday....have to have one fall into my hands first.

Regards,
Slim

[oldwolf]

I had same problem with my 2nd Model Dragoon, although not a Walker, same resulting problem. I wrestled with taking a file to it for some time. If I kept loads to 34 grains or less, had no problems, but liked using 36 grains and the lever would drop at least once per cylinder full. Got tired of that, filed the groove on the barrel stud deeper(took my time), touched it up with Brownell's Oxo-Blue, and after several years of firing, have only had it drop once that I can recall. Like gettin a new car, ya have to take it down a muddy road sometime!

You mean you change the shape of the notch on the barrel lug?

[Crow Choker]

Nope-just cut, ie file the lug deeper. You have to retain the same basic angle of the lug as it comes from the factory, just cut deeper to alow the latch to grab it better. As with any metal work, ya have to take it slow and easy. File a little and and check fit, once ya remove metal it's work to replace or ya have to live with a sloppy fit. Before I took to my Dragoon, I measured how far the latch extended from the lever before it was 'hooked' to the lug. Then after attaching, measured how far the latch extended from the lever. The difference showed that there was alot of room for the latch to extend forward after 'hooking' to the lug. I like Montana Slims idea of replacing the latch spring with a stronger one. I'd try that before filing away, be less work. Will give that a try with any future guns. Sorry Walker owners, know this started out with Walker lever problems, many of the Colt C&Ballers have same problem with 'flying' levers-hope ya get yer Walker problem resolved too.

[rifle]

Filing a notch aross the loading lever retaining spring as has been mentioned is a good way to fix the lever dropping problem permanently. File the notch across the springs tip so it hooks better. File it too sharp and the lever can't be pulled down. The spring would need physically pushed back to get the lever to drop. File the right angle to it and it stays up but with a little pullin can come down to reload. I think that's the best fix and wonder why Colt didn't shape the springs that way or why didn't one of the Walker owners/shooters do it back in the day? Why would anyone leave the dang loading lever such that it could drop down when the guns fired. I'd a thunked Sam Colt would have remedied that little problem since he was in on the designing of the gun.