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ASM 1861 colt cycling issue.

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Auriel

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Hope I'm not being a bother, I'm halfway through giving this thing it's third once-over. I've stripped it a couple times now trying to find out what's going on- I could only surmise it's locking up somewhere. I'll admit I haven't been the most kind with it in terms of handling, but I do my best to clean it regularly to the best of my ability. Gonna drop a picture under this to give a gauge as to what's going on - I tried youtube and frankly that only got me so far and I'm hoping some experts here may be able to lend a hand. Got this from Deer Creek Products, I'm going to assume that's probably not an issue, but if any information helps I imagine it best to mention that.

(Quick addendum before I post, there is another problem in which a certain part no longer rises, I'll mark the image to show what I'm referring to - if you need other pictures to see other critical parts of the colt just ask I'd be more than willing)

1st Img:
Hammer automatically settles on a random resting positions after pulling the trigger, sounds very muffled and no longer has signature audible 'cocking' noise.

2nd Img:
The bored out area containing the rounded mechanism no longer raises or lowers depending on the hammers position. My editing isn't the best, but I put an arrow to designate what I'm referring to.

Taking any and all criticism or information on this, just want to fix it. Moneys not that big of a problem so if I have to replace stuff, don't hold back. And, finally- thank you for reading I do appreciate it.
 

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Take it apart completely . . . .

Might be the trigger/bolt spring leaf has broken off and jammed the hammer/trigger interface.
Yup.

Jim said:
These Colt type revolvers are very simple on the inside.
And pretty sensitive to anything that might make it into the trigger/hammer/sear action -- like pieces of percussion caps. When you clean it, you really should clean the innards too -- or at least look at them. I'm in the process of resurrecting a Pietta 1851 Navy I subjected to mistreatment and neglect.
 
If the bolt (rounded mechanism, 2nd. photo) no longer rises the cylinder is free to spin. The bolt must come up into one of the locking notches on the cylinder to hold it in alignment with a nipple under the hammer and a chamber aligned with the barrel. The first thing to look for is a broken trigger/bolt spring which is a fairly common problem or it could be installed upside down. One leaf should press up on the little ledge on the front of the trigger to push it against the hammer and the other leaf pushes against the bolt. The bolt itself has a split tail with the right limb bearing against the frame to push the left limb against the hammer. The left limb acts against a cam on the side of the hammer and this cam is what controls the rising and lowering of the bolt. If the left limb is broken or bent to the right it won't engage the cam properly if at all.
 
Still disassembling one part of this (looks like the split tail, it's incredibly tough on the removal process so I'll be here a bit. Once again, thank you guys I'm still workin on it.
 
If the bolt (rounded mechanism, 2nd. photo) no longer rises the cylinder is free to spin. ...
Also, if you somehow munged up the bolt or hand or the indexing slots in your cylinder by continuing to shoot it when those parts got dirty (or something metallic or abrasive got in them), well then ... you're kind of in for it (I say sadly from experience). :confused:
 
After finally disassembling it, it does turn out the split leaf spring was cracked. I'll start looking for a replacement.
Edit:

If any of yall have any solid sites that have these on hand I'd definitely love to know, and thank yall for the help too.
 
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