Vintage Colt cylinder issue

[Rogue7280]

I just got my late uncle’s Colt Detective Special. It’s been sitting around for years, and the cylinder isn’t spinning as smoothly as it should. Could it be an old lube issue? Any quick fixes I can try?

 

[devinlefty]

Wow, don't ever sell that. I wouldn’t mess with the internal lockwork of a Colt. They’ve got a legendary reputation for a reason, but that action is delicate. If it needs more than a basic cleanup, I’d suggest taking it to a gunsmith...

 

[Stunned_Joe38]

I just got my late uncle’s Colt Detective Special. It’s been sitting around for years, and the cylinder isn’t spinning as smoothly as it should. Could it be an old lube issue? Any quick fixes I can try?

You can start with the easy stuff first because those old Colts really just need a bit of care after sitting around for so long. I've brought a few "drawer gun" revolvers back to life, and most of the time, it was just dried-up lube that made them feel sticky or sluggish. A light cleaning and a few drops of quality oil on the crane and ejector rod typically smooth things right out.