Hello,
I have an old beat up Cooey model 60 that I want to rejuvenate. I only paid $28 for it several years ago. When it shoots, it shoots quite well. But I am obviously limited by the less than stellar iron sights.
So far, I have done the following,
- Stripped the stock (it looks like walnut) and refinished it.
- Chopped the butt straight, and installed a thin rubber butt pad to get the LOP just right.
- wire brushed off the rust spots and sort of reblued it, though it is mostly a plum brown.
- deburred several machining marks and bashes from the previous owner, slicking the action up.
- Disassembled the bolt, cleaned it up, and built a new firing pin. Prior to this, I would get 20% failure to fires, due to weak firing pin contact.
Stuff I need doing,
- The action screw/take down screw. This has been horribly mutilated by the previous owner. Did the factory screw have a second jam nut? as mine only has an exterior thumb nut. Regardless, I need to replace the takedown screw. I have considered making my own, but I can't identfy the thread. The best I can tell, it appears to be 5/16", and finer than 28 tpi. Could it be 5/16-32? I would also want to chase the threads on the thumb nut since those threads are mangled as well.
- The sights are horrible. They are also significantly canted. I was hoping to loosen the rear sight to adjust it, but I can't, as the single screw appears seized, or at least the head is mostly stripped so I can't really turn it. I think if I want it off, I am going to have to destroy the screw that is on there. Can anyone identify the size/thread on that screw? Further, has anyone ever replaced the front sight, perhaps with a fiber optic post?
- Firing pin spring - I think this needs replacing. I made it stronger by cheating and building a brass collar which helped compress it another .25" or so internally in the bolt. However, this has the downside that it prevents the safety from being engaged. A better solution would be to get a firmer, beefier spring. Does anyone know of the specs for the spring, and perhaps an commonly available compatible swap? I was hoping a mainspring from a 1911 would work, but it's inside diameter is just a little too tight.
- The receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope, so I suspect I could get one of those weaver side-mount bases. However, I'm not thrilled about using their "high" rings permanently attached to the base. Are there any other options rather than the weaver bases?
Thanks
I have an old beat up Cooey model 60 that I want to rejuvenate. I only paid $28 for it several years ago. When it shoots, it shoots quite well. But I am obviously limited by the less than stellar iron sights.
So far, I have done the following,
- Stripped the stock (it looks like walnut) and refinished it.
- Chopped the butt straight, and installed a thin rubber butt pad to get the LOP just right.
- wire brushed off the rust spots and sort of reblued it, though it is mostly a plum brown.
- deburred several machining marks and bashes from the previous owner, slicking the action up.
- Disassembled the bolt, cleaned it up, and built a new firing pin. Prior to this, I would get 20% failure to fires, due to weak firing pin contact.
Stuff I need doing,
- The action screw/take down screw. This has been horribly mutilated by the previous owner. Did the factory screw have a second jam nut? as mine only has an exterior thumb nut. Regardless, I need to replace the takedown screw. I have considered making my own, but I can't identfy the thread. The best I can tell, it appears to be 5/16", and finer than 28 tpi. Could it be 5/16-32? I would also want to chase the threads on the thumb nut since those threads are mangled as well.
- The sights are horrible. They are also significantly canted. I was hoping to loosen the rear sight to adjust it, but I can't, as the single screw appears seized, or at least the head is mostly stripped so I can't really turn it. I think if I want it off, I am going to have to destroy the screw that is on there. Can anyone identify the size/thread on that screw? Further, has anyone ever replaced the front sight, perhaps with a fiber optic post?
- Firing pin spring - I think this needs replacing. I made it stronger by cheating and building a brass collar which helped compress it another .25" or so internally in the bolt. However, this has the downside that it prevents the safety from being engaged. A better solution would be to get a firmer, beefier spring. Does anyone know of the specs for the spring, and perhaps an commonly available compatible swap? I was hoping a mainspring from a 1911 would work, but it's inside diameter is just a little too tight.
- The receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope, so I suspect I could get one of those weaver side-mount bases. However, I'm not thrilled about using their "high" rings permanently attached to the base. Are there any other options rather than the weaver bases?
Thanks
