Colt Cobra

[DSpangler]

I picked up a nickel Colt Cobra (from 1974) yesterday. It desperately needs a good cleaning, including the mechanics under the side plate. This is the first nickel anything I have owned, and want to get experienced owner opinions on the correct cleaner to use. I am certain I will want to "polish" it up some later, but first it needs to get the crud out and off of it. There are a few areas (backstrap, hammer areas) that are cloudy.

I'll post up some pics when I get home later (and Nate allows the time!)

 

[RaleighReloader]

I picked up a nickel Colt Cobra (from 1974) yesterday. It desperately needs a good cleaning, including the mechanics under the side plate. This is the first nickel anything I have owned, and want to get experienced owner opinions on the correct cleaner to use. I am certain I will want to "polish" it up some later, but first it needs to get the crud out and off of it. There are a few areas (backstrap, hammer areas) that are cloudy.

I'll post up some pics when I get home later (and Nate allows the time!)

The Colt Cobra is not a good gun for you to cut your teeth on if you're new to gunsmithing. Despite being "mass produced," they were really one of the last truly hand-fitted guns, and you can make a world of grief for yourself if you don't take it apart and put it back together "just so." The aluminum frame of the Cobra makes this a bit more of a challenge, since even fitting the side plate takes some know-how and practice.

If you're still determined to work on it yourself, I wouldn't turn a single screw before getting yourself a copy of Jerry Kuhnhausen's excellent book "The Colt Double Action Revolvers: A Shop Manual," and reading it cover to cover. I have a well-thumbed copy and can attest to it being an excellent introduction to these guns.

In terms of polishing -- don't. Please. Few things can remove hundreds of dollars worth of value in an old gun faster than a buffing wheel, sandpaper, wire brushes, or even automotive polishing compounds. For cleaning, the best thing will be a mild gun cleaner (Hoppe's Number 9 or the like) and some old cotton rags. 99% of the time, efforts to "restore" a gun's appearance will lower its value, especially if they're not done by skilled restorationists. Letting it wear its original work clothes will be the best thing to preserve its value, now and into the future (especially knowing that these guns will only go up in value over time).

Sorry to be a downer, but these double action Colts are special guns and deserve a lot of TLC. They're sort of like owning a Porsche ... the kind of car you don't necessarily want your average corner mechanic spinning wrenches on.

Mike

 

[tankolds70]

Sound advice.

 

[DSpangler]

Luckily, it was not difficult to disassemble, clean and lube, and reassemble. The action was caked up with 40 year old gun oil that had turned into something like tree sap. I think the first time I took a 1911 apart was more difficult for me. I did order the book though!


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[RaleighReloader]

Luckily, it was not difficult to disassemble, clean and lube, and reassemble. The action was caked up with 40 year old gun oil that had turned into something like tree sap. I think the first time I took a 1911 apart was more difficult for me. I did order the book though!

Glad to hear that it went well for you. These double action Colts are really remarkable guns, although tuning them takes a lot of skill and a lot of witchcraft to get right. With luck your gun will stay in good time for many years to come.

I haven't added a Cobra to my herd yet ... most of the Colts that I see (that aren't priced in excess of $2K) are pre-WW2 double actions that are beat to death. Someday the right one will come along ...

Mike

 

[FORman]

I don't have a lot of personal experience, but I've read that silicone based oils will work into and under plating, causing it to loosen. Renaissance Wax is what a lot of museums use to protect nickel/chrome plated surfaces from fingerprints and body oils.

 

[rcm192]

We can can do a detailed gunsmith level cleaning for $45 at GGW.

 

[nwmousegunner]

I have a nickel plated Detective Special 2nd series, 2" unshrouded barrel. I have read that Hoppe's number 9 may be harmful to nickel finishes, because it dissolves copper which is used as a base coat for some nickel finishes. As previously stated any polishing compound should be applied by hand and not to agressively. I like my old Colt and take it out to the range some. I shoot reloads in mine, either target wad cutter's or standard pressure 158's. Dave