Black Angus McPherson Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I finally got around to trying out my Colt Dragoon copy. Nice, satisfying BOOM with 45 grains of FFFg although it shoots a little high. The problem is the loading lever keeps coming loose after almost every shot. What's the fix for this? I backed the load off to 40 grains FFFg but the problem remains. If I go much lower what's the fun of having this big thing? Suggestions for a fix? Stronger spring? Deepen the cut in the catch? Leather strap to tie up the lever? What's been working for those of you that have suffered a similar problem? Angus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knarley Bob Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Usually that is the problem the Walker has. I have been toying with the notion to install catches like on the Dragoons, or perhaps an 1860 to solve the loading lever problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickel City Dude Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I have seen black electrical tape used to keep the lever in place. It doesn't look great but it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Hombre Sin Nombre Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 You might want to send that one back, if you bought it new. It's not supposed to do that. My dragoon certainly doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Do like they did 150+ years ago. This issue you describe was a "feature" on the original Walker Colt, too. Supposedly, it was remedied with the introduction of the Dragoons. You may be able to locate other fixes by running creative web searches. Maybe your Dragoon is defective, and, as previously stated, if the pistol is new, demand a replacement. So, here's one common low-tech 19th century fix: Take a very thin, very narrow strip of leather, wider on one end, pointy on the other end. Cut a tiny slit in the wider end with a razor knife and poke the pointy end through. It should be a tight fit. Slide the resulting loop over the barrel and loading lever, both. Draw the loop up tight, with the free end hanging down, under the barrel. Remember, the leather loop thong is thin and narrow. If the lever disengages when the pistol is fired, the tight loop secures the loose lever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Try 2f instead of 3f. Works in my Walkers. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Angus McPherson Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 I bought it used so I can't return it. Tape? Nah, leaves sticky stuff on the barrel and I plan on using the lever to load. I already figured I'd use a leather strap if all else fails. I'd really like it to work the way it's supposed to tho. 2f instead of 3f? I'll have to give that one a try. I've still got a month or two to ponder on this before the shooting season starts for me. Thanks all, Angus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingers McGee Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Take the latch off of the lever and stretch the spring or put in a stronger one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 The previous owner may have used a cheater bar on the lever when loading and over time could have bent it ever so slightly. Doesn't take much to keep it from engaging the latch fully. You think it's latched, but then it lets loose on recoil. I've seen this happen. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Yeah, you may wish to consider not using the lever and instead, get a c&b, bp cylinder loading tool. There are several topics on just that subject...one fairly recent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Most can be fixed with a little judicious filing to deepen the locking notch or change the angle a bit. A photo is always nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Angus McPherson Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 Most can be fixed with a little judicious filing to deepen the locking notch or change the angle a bit. A photo is always nice. A photo? That sounds kinda "techy" and I'm not much of a techy sort, but I'll work on it. Heck, I ain't even got one of them aviator pitchurs. Angus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Rubber Band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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