Colt Woodsman 22

Millerds

I have a Colt Woodsman - I think 1920s. I have never fired it, but I have cleaned it. I have trouble getting the clip out when I push that grooved button at the bottom of the handle. I have looked online and it is the coorect original clip. Also--sorry that I am so ingnorant, but on the back of the grip if a piece of spring steel that clearly is meant to be preesed in -- what is that?
Thanks

Millerds

Don't know much about firearms. Inherited a Colt Woodsman 22 Automatic. It has original grip, but you can tell it has had some use because barrel finish is off in parts. I'm thinking it's at least 40 years old.
How do I go about figuring out a starting price if I put it up for auction or go to a local dealer?
Also has a well-worn but interesting scabbard
Thanks

Laredo Lefty

Welcome to the forums.

Its the mainspring housing. If yours has a checkered pattern on it you sould only use standard velocity ammo in it. If yours has a straight line pattern it will handle high velocity ammo.

Oh, the ammo container that you insert into the grip is a "magazine" not a clip.

Millerds

Thanks for the correct term for the magazine. I realize that I should use standard ammo. My real concern and again I am ingnorant--why is it so har to get the magazine out? What happens when I press that main spring housing? Whats that used for.? Thanksquote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
Welcome to the forums.

Its the mainspring housing. If yours has a checkered pattern on it you sould only use standard velocity ammo in it. If yours has a straight line pattern it will handle high velocity ammo.

Oh, the ammo container that you insert into the grip is a "magazine" not a clip.

Flashj

My 1919 "pre-woodsman" last patent date on bar. 1918 has straight "lines" on magazine release, but have been forever
forewarned to use only standard or low velocity.

Its magazine fits "tight" has NO spring release to "eject", (you must
pull it out) does NOT eject on its own. Also it has a bottom plate stamp "CAL .22 COLT, (2 lines). These magazines can be quite particular, but if it is the one that came with the gun and fires... wouldn't worry.

Does yours have a long "skinny" - "pencil barrell" ?

Just curious.

Good Luck.

Millerds

Mine does have the pencil barrel and the straight lines on the release. My problem is that it is hard to push the release and get the magazine out. Do I need to do anything else. What does the spring part in the back of the grip do? I think mine is a 1920

rufe-snow

quote:Originally posted by Millerds
Mine does have the pencil barrel and the straight lines on the release. My problem is that it is hard to push the release and get the magazine out. Do I need to do anything else. What does the spring part in the back of the grip do? I think mine is a 1920


The rear of the grip contains the backstrap assembly that contains the mainspring and associated parts, this tensions both the hammer and the magazine release. If functional and properly assembled it is fixed in place, and not movable inside of the grip. From your description their might be problems with your pistol. Take it to a competent gunsmith for inspection/proper assembly and repair.

Stack

This third generation Colt Woodsman Match Target instruction manual should be useful for disassembly of any Colt Woodsman pistol.

redboneusa

Any chance that the grip screw has been wrenched too tight and the back side of the grips are squeezing on the magazine?