Colt cylinder lines

Odesseus

I've been told by someone thought to be knowledgeable about firearms that a Colt, particularly a Python, should not have a cylinder line. He says this shows it is not in tune. Anyone able to verify or dispute this? I've seen GB auctions showing cylinder lines and without cylinder lines. Thanks.

TH Gibbs

Jody Commander

Cylinder lines can be a symptom of a improper timed gun or more often it is a result of people closing the cylinder and then either cocking it or hand turning the cylinder into the locked position, by not aligning the cylinder when closing, the bolt rides between the locking cavities scraping blue and steel as it goes, if your cylinder has a ring the entire distance from cavity to cavity, timing may not be the problem.

v35

Cock the hammer slowly to see when the locking bolt drops into the cylinder slot. The bolts on Colts are set up to drop into the lead-in groove to the cylinder slot and not before. No harm is done other than marking the cylinder if it drops in earlier. In fact the revolver will be more reliable for fast double action shooting with earlier timing as on the S&Ws. Occasionally skipping of a chamber may occur in fast DA shooting with late bolt timing. Polishing the top of the bolt with a rubber wheel in a Dremel will minimize scratching.
The powerful locking bolt spring on the SAA Colt needs lightening because it mars the cylinder notches in short order. Colt Collectors
have fits if someone cocks their Single Actions.