Colt Python question

[FidelCastro]

Colt Python .357 6" 1984 stainless steel (gorgeous).

Went to the range yesterday.
Shot about 50 rounds of 158 grains.

I had about 8-9 misfires: the firing pin did hit the primers but the indent was "shallow". Its not an ammo issue as I was eventually able to fire those rounds.

It happened on single or double action trigger pulls.

I haven't thoroughly cleaned the revolver in about 2 years.

Could it be that the firing pin apparatus is dirty/crusty and it prevents the pin from cycling smoothly?

 

[franktank]

Colt Python .357 6" 1984 stainless steel (gorgeous).

Went to the range yesterday.
Shot about 50 rounds of 158 grains.

I had about 8-9 misfires: the firing pin did hit the primers but the indent was "shallow". Its not an ammo issue as I was eventually able to fire those rounds.

It happened on single or double action trigger pulls.

I haven't thoroughly cleaned the revolver in about 2 years.

Could it be that the firing pin apparatus is dirty/crusty and it prevents the pin from cycling smoothly?

loose hammer spring, happened on my .44 before.

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/python-hammer-spring.70573/

 

[Painkillers]

Yep. 100%. Or, maybe 99%. Some hard primered ammo might be an issue with the Colt, but I doubt it. Strip, CLP it, and you'll be good as new.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Clean it first, run a few rounds and report back....

 

[ted_dent]

Handloads or factory ammo? If handloads it's a good chance the primers were not fully seated. The fact that they went off on subsequent strikes is often a signal that it took the first strike to fully seat the primer so that the second strike was able to detonate it.

 

[FidelCastro]

Handloads or factory ammo? If handloads it's a good chance the primers were not fully seated. The fact that they went off on subsequent strikes is often a signal that it took the first strike to fully seat the primer so that the second strike was able to detonate it.

Factory ammo.
I've never had that happen to me before, but, I've also never went that long without cleaning/oiling before.

 

[Meroh]

Hello ted_dent!
Please note that If you use a gun with double-action mode, this mechanism may allow you to re-activate the same bullet without having to pull the bolt back.

LOL, it is a revolver; no bolt.

 

[ted_dent]

LOL, it is a revolver; no bolt.

Beat me to it.

 

[barsik]

the colt python has a floating firing pin so it may have a bit of crud or a bit of shrapnel preventing the firing pin getting full travel. once I got a piece of brass stuck under the ejector star and my python was inoperable until I completely disassembled it and gave it a cleaning. BTW, getting the sideplate off without damaging a revolver is easily done by holding the gun loosely in your hand and using a plastic mallet or a plastic handle screwdriver rapping downward on the frame. what you are doing is driving the gun downward and the sideplate comes loose under "recoil".

good luck fixing your python, they are awesome revolvers.