Colt Woodsman
Maintenance made Easy

Many thanks to Tom Platt, otherwise known as "prewoodsman" on various gun discussion boards. Tom stated on the Colt semi-autos forum that he has some "unprinted tricks of the trade". He has since written and photographed his excellent guides and has allowed me to post them on the Internet for the benefit of all Colt Woodsman fans. He has also allowed me to reveal the real identity of "the collector previously known only as as preWoodsman."

In my 30-35 years of collecting and shooting the Colt Woodsman I have learned various small repairs by trial and error: mostly error! Some of the most vexing and common problems I have encountered have been the replacement of the recoil spring, the slide stop spring, and the trigger spring. Tom's "tricks of the trade" make those chores much easier. Following are some tips on Woodsman repair using only common tools you probably have around the house or garage.

1. Recoil Spring with common household tools

2. Slide Stop with common household tools

3. Trigger Removal and Replacement: 2nd and 3rd series. with common household tools
See below at "Tool #6 and Tool #10" for using tools 6 and 10 to assist in Trigger Removal and Replacement

4. Trigger installation: 1st series Woodsman and pre-Woodsman. with common household tools

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UPDATE

The four "tricks of the trade" above can all be performed using common tools that you probably have around the house. Tom has gone on to make those chores and several others easier by designing and building some specialized tools to further simplify Colt Woodsman maintenance and repair, as illustrated below:





The following turorials illustrate the use of the specialized tools.

Tool #1 Recoil Spring With Special Tool

Tool 2, All models
Assembly Lock Tools: All Woodsman, Challenger, Huntsman & Targetsman series of pistol

Tool 3 Part 1, 1st series extractor
Tool 3 Part 2, 2nd series extractor

Tool #4 1st Series Magazine Pre & 1st series magazine

Tool #5 2nd Series Magazine 1st & 2nd Series Magazine Lip Gauge and Adjustment

Tool #6 and Tool #10, 2nd and 3rd Series Trigger Spring compression and Trigger Assembly Installation pin

Tool #7 & #8, Magazine Spring Compression disassembly & Assembly.
Part 1, 2nd Series
Part 2, 3rd Series

Tool #9: Dry Fire Hammer Stop

Tool #11: Firing Pin R&R assist block