Pistol question

[HopeSheFloats]

How much side to side play is tolerable between the slide and the receiver? Neighbor asked me to clean up her little colt 25 auto, and it has about a 16th inch of what feels like slop to me...any thoughts or knowledge appreciated!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Pistol question

Well the "slop" will not hurt but it can be corrected. There is not any accuracy to speak of in those pocket guns.

The tightness that gun needs to have is on lock up when the slide is forward. How much play is there in the barrel lugs which hold it in place and at the front of the slide where the barrel peeks through.

The old colt 25's had tiny rails at about the midway point and rails in the rear of the slide. If you are ambitious the rails can be tightened by peening them slightly and then stoning them true. The other method is to place the slide in a vise and crush it slightly and squeeze the rails in. If you get it too tight it may not function properly. It is tedious work.

I would clean the gun, function test it and give it back as is with the slop.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Pistol question

Thanks a lot Bob, may work it a bit, just doesn't feel right if you know what I mean...so it's 'either/or' on which area to work, correct? either the slide or the receiver rail...haven't taken it down yet, but I would imagine the receiver rail would be the better option as far as avoiding slip-ups might go...
cute lil bugger,she is...the pistol, the pistol I'm talking about

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Pistol question

Well actually you do both....... If you handed it to me the first thing I would do is examine it and the slide portion in a vise might be the easiest..... is the play the entire length ir can you determine which rails are the worst? Front section or rear? Then proceed from there..... SLOWLY do not over do it.

 

[Capt Craig]

Re: Pistol question

I have a Colt .25 as well. They have a small amount of play in them, about 1/16. I would not put it in a vise!! The gun is a nice collector item and if it is chrome/nickel with the MOP grips, people pay a lot for them.

Clean it and return it, but don't alter it.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Pistol question

The vise did it{no offense CC}, only needed a slight touch, feels much better imo...the receiver rail had a bit of wear and that kinda frightened me off off trying to peen it...anyways, doesn't look to well cared for, cleaned and returned to a happy gal...so beit...thanks again for the help

Thought I'd throw these in for the heck of it...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Pistol question

I told you it would not take much. It is a 1911 trick for accurizing and tightening. Glad it worked out Now that I see you have cleaned off most of the rust (I use 0000 steel wool and oil) I would use some Flitz polish and then lightly oil.

It will not remove the bluing but it does a superb job. Flitz is actually sold as gun polish too in a small tube. Use a clean rag ....rub rub rub then buff with a clean rag. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=578206

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Pistol question

Yeah, I used 4 ought steel wool along with hoppe's oil, thanks for the polish tip, will give 'er a try. Bluing...now that scares me, I watched dear ol' dad ruin 2 rifles as a kid trying to re-blue, and never forgot what a mess he made :redface:

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Pistol question

Well the stuff I mentioned the steel wool or the flitz will not remove blue (thankfully) but it will remove rust and finger prints. Yes that blue finish has seen better days but..... leaving it original and faded (worn away) but clean is more valuable.

I would not re-blue it...... however if they want to kill the value have it cerakoted and that will last another lifetime. www.gpigun.com and look at the gallery

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Pistol question

No worries there, she has no idea what she has, and I've heard it's almost pointless to re-blue as well...besides that, this was a freebie as she is a great neighbor, helps us out watching the dogs when needed, even at a moments notice.

Wow, I couldn't stay long at GPI...the before and after gallery is 'way' to much eye candy for me gimme gimme gimme lol...thanks for the link!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Pistol question

My cheapest gun that is cerakoted....... the coating is worth more than the gun! It was a chrome plated Jennings 22 where the plating was pealing and worn now it is OD green

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Pistol question

Now that is sweet! Looks new, definitely filing that link...that is awesome.