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Work order — Colt Python

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: high.

Shop difficulty: Tier 3 of 3

Classic Python: hand-fitted V-mainspring lockwork (59 pieces) where the mainspring, rebound lever and hand have to go in together, bolt and hand timing interact through the rebound lever cam, and both Colt and American Rifleman send the deeper work to a gunsmith. 56 parts (Complete classic Python per Section 6 parts list of the 1993-era manual (56 line items); the 2020 Python differs). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~45 min, rebuild ~80 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• Fitted hollow-ground screwdrivers — Crane lock, sideplate, bolt and stock screws
• Pin punches / drift — Rebound lever pin, hammer strut and stirrup pins
• Small screwdriver as a mainspring lever — Pressing the V-mainspring off the stirrup and back onto the rebound lever

Watch for:

• The V-mainspring has to be slid onto the stirrup and then levered onto the rebound lever, with the hand seated by pressing the rebound lever up, all at once. (reassembly; American Rifleman (NRA))
• The lockwork is hand-fitted; timing depends on the bolt riding the rebound lever cam and is easily upset. (reassembly; Colt V-spring Adventures (blog))
• The cylinder latch rides in the sideplate on a spring and guide and must catch the latch-pin stud as the sideplate goes on. (reassembly; American Rifleman (NRA))
• Crane/cylinder disassembly and removal of the firing pin, recoil plate and frame pins are gunsmith-only steps. (both; American Rifleman (NRA))
• Colt calls the revolver a complex tool whose parts must relate correctly and tells owners to let a gunsmith work on it. (both; Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc.)

Tools

• Hollow-ground gunsmith screwdriver — The sideplate and yoke screws. Colt screws are soft and burr easily.

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Pull the cylinder release latch rearward and swing the cylinder out.
3. Press the ejector rod firmly to eject all cartridges or cases from the chambers.
   Tip: Point the muzzle up and strike the rod briskly so the cases clear fully.
4. Look through every chamber, one at a time, and confirm each is empty.
   Warning: Every chamber, counted. A revolver with one loaded chamber looks identical to an empty one from most angles.
5. Confirm the bore is clear of obstruction.
6. Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Routine cleaning (what Colt documents)

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and put on safety glasses. Colt asks for them in case you lose control of a spring-loaded component.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard, and make sure the hammer is NOT cocked.
   Warning: Never force the cylinder open with the hammer cocked — Colt states this could damage the revolver mechanism.
3. Open the revolver by pulling the cylinder latch to the rear and pushing the cylinder out to the left.
4. Push the ejector rod rearward to force out any rounds or cases, then let it return.
   Tip: The ejector rod spring should return the rod to its seated position under its own force. If it does not, that is a fault, not a technique problem.
5. Clean the bore, using a bore brush or patch according to how dirty it is.
   Tip: Avoid contact between the cleaning rod and the muzzle — the resulting wear reduces accuracy.
6. Clean each chamber in the cylinder with a chamber brush or patch.
7. Take care not to strike the rear frame with the cleaning rod.
   Warning: Colt warns that severe cases burr the metal around the firing pin hole, which can contribute to eventual firing failures.
8. Lightly oil a patch and pass it through each chamber, leaving a thin film.
   Tip: Before firing, pass a dry patch through the barrel and each chamber to remove as much oil as possible.
9. Close the cylinder by pushing it into the frame until the latch moves forward into its closed position, then wipe all external surfaces with a lightly oiled cloth.

Yoke and cylinder removal (not documented by Colt)

1. Read this first: Colt does not publish this procedure, and the current manual explicitly tells owners not to field strip the revolver. It is recorded here as gunsmith and armorer practice, not as manufacturer guidance.
   Warning: Colt's instruction is blunt: do not field strip this revolver. The 2020 Python manual adds that doing so voids the service agreement. Anything beyond cleaning goes to a competent gunsmith or back to Colt.
2. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and leave the cylinder open.
3. Remove the yoke retaining screw from the right side of the frame, using a properly fitting hollow-ground screwdriver.
   Tip: Screw positions differ across Colt models and eras. Check a parts diagram for your exact revolver first.
4. Draw the yoke and cylinder assembly forward and out of the frame.
5. Clean the yoke bearing surfaces, then reverse to reassemble.
6. Go no further. On a Colt the sideplate is on the LEFT, and the lockwork behind it is specialist territory — Colt's own answer is to send it to them.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

The manufacturer's full parts list (56 parts) is on the reference page.

4. Reassemble

Yoke and cylinder removal (not documented by Colt)

1. Reverse the steps of "Yoke and cylinder removal (not documented by Colt)".

Reassembly

1. Slide the yoke and cylinder assembly back into the frame, seating the yoke fully.
2. Start the yoke screw by hand and tighten it snugly with the correct screwdriver.
3. Close the cylinder gently by hand.
   Warning: Never flick it closed.
4. Perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Notes: The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: "Insert a new front sight and tighten the #4-40 set screw. It is recommended to use a medium thread locker on the set screw to prevent it from loosening during shooting (Figure 5)." (Colt Python Owner's Manual (2020), p. 19) "After final adjustment tighten the windage lock screw with a .050” Allen wrench (Figure 6)." (Colt Python Owner's Manual (2020), p. 20)

Fit or check on rebuild

• Timing: hand carry-up, bolt drop and bolt pickup on the rebound lever cam, in single and double action — Colt V-spring actions are hand-fitted; the bolt rides the rebound lever cam and small changes upset timing.
• Hand seated in the trigger with the rebound lever pressed up — The hand only seats fully with the rebound lever held up.
• Safety and safety lever operate smoothly and the safety is fully up with the trigger forward — American Rifleman’s reassembly test for the Colt hammer-block safety.
• Cylinder gap, end shake and crane lock — Standard check after the crane has been out.

6. Function check

• Verify every chamber is empty before each check.
• Cock the hammer slowly and confirm the cylinder locks up at each chamber before the hammer reaches full cock — this is carry-up.
• With the hammer at full cock, try to rotate the cylinder by hand. It should be locked, with only minimal play.
• Press the trigger in single action and confirm a clean hammer fall.
• Cycle the action in double action through every chamber and confirm the cylinder indexes and locks each time.
• Confirm the cylinder latches closed securely and the release frees it cleanly.
• Check that cylinder endshake is minimal and the cylinder gap looks even. If either seems off, see a gunsmith.
• On older Colt actions, confirm the cylinder locks up tight at the instant the hammer reaches full cock — the "bank vault" lockup Colts are known for. If it does not, the action needs a specialist.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Sources

1. Colt Python Owner's Manual (2020) — Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC primary
   https://www.colt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2020pythonmanual.pdf
2. Colt Safety and Instruction Manual: Python — Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc. primary
   https://www.colt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/python.pdf
3. Python — Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC (product page) — Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC primary
   https://www.colt.com/series/python/
4. Colt Python Revolver (exploded view and disassembly) — American Rifleman (NRA) secondary
   https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2014/2/21/colt-python-revolver/
5. Colt V-spring Adventures: Fixing my dad's 357 trooper — Colt V-spring Adventures (blog) anecdotal
   https://coltpython.blogspot.com/2009/11/fixing-my-dads-357-trooper.html

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.