Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless

[Brad in Idaho]

Field stripped this little pistol to inspect and lube. It took some fiddling to get the barrel and slide off and it's now a problem getting it back together. Trying to get the barrel to re-engage the slide by lining up the little arrow with the receiver just is not working. I've consulted several assembly/disassembly books and youtube videos. Doing the same things I'm seeing done is not working for me at all. Is anyone here familiar with these pistols and have any tricks or info on where else I might look to figure out if this thing is just finicky or if I'm doing something wrong? TIA. Brad

[dogtag]

I had the same trouble, but it's been a long time since.
I recall I inserted barrel with 'ridges' on top then turn to right to engage,
It takes some fiddling which is why I haven't done it again My gun is older
and has barrel bushing, but it works the same way.
Hopefully someone else here will be more helpful.

[lyman]

do as dogtag says

insert the barrel, twist up into the slide,
install slide, when you get it to about the arrows , start twisting it a bit,
may have to slide it forwards or backwards a hair or 2,

and it will twist right in place if you held your mouth right, or you may need to cuss it a bit


it's like a Ruger MK I or MK II, once you have done it a few times, it goes together easy,

[JimF]

do as dogtag says

insert the barrel, twist up into the slide,
install slide, when you get it to about the arrows , start twisting it a bit,
may have to slide it forwards or backwards a hair or 2, . . . . .

yup, this ^^^^^^

Those arrow marks are not always accurate . .

“A hair or two” in either direction, should allow for assembly.

[Brad in Idaho]

Appreciate the help. I've got it back together and functioning. It is fairly easy when you do it right... I wasn't getting the barrel into the slide in the proper position (a little tricky) before putting the slide back on. Once I got that right, it went. Learned a lesson. Thanks again.

[Johnny P]

As the two compare, that is the easy part. Don't ever attempt a complete disassembly.

[lyman]

As the two compare, that is the easy part. Don't ever attempt a complete disassembly.

taking it all the way down is not too hard, just have to have a 3rd hand, give blood, and cuss a lot

[jjrothWA]

Colt M's get a little loose with age.

Too bad CZ-Colt didn't reissue them to up-to-date standards.

[dogtag]

Mine works beautifully, never a missfunction even with my own loads.
It's nickel plated which makes it a bit harder to work the slide.