I just disassembled and reassembled my 1936 Woodsman First Series. I was a little reluctant to do so since it seemed a little complicated, but it worked out great! One noted difference on the First Series, you DO NOT need to remove any pins to do a basic disassembly. Also, the magazine catch and sear spring are pinned together. All in all, disassembly was easy and reassembly was too. Just watch your skin when you snap the mainspring housing back into place. Easy place for a blood blister!
There is an indented pin on the floor plate of the magazine. Push that in while sliding the floor plate forward. The pin is inserted into the end of the magazine spring. Pull the magazine spring out. Slide the follower to the bottom of the magazine, then pull the follower tab out. The follower will then slide all the way out of the magazine tube. Reassembly is in reverse order. Remember- don't lube the inside of the magazine, and be careful with springs.
A trick I've used to get the recoil spring back in place. Push on the rod/spring with the corner of a screwdriver blade while holding the slide with the other hand. When the recoil spring/guide rod is in place, press the slide against the edge of the bench, focusing on the little button forward of the rear sight. When the little metal piece is in place, SLOWLY remove the screwdriver.
@HGCGkwa6 No I sure don't you may have to replace the mag? I know they do sell after market mags for these. I have one original and one aftermarket for mine.
Want to give a shout out to Rugersix. I am a newbie to pistols and just starting to learn how to breakdown and clean each of my pistols. I bought a 1939, first series Colt Woodsman last Sat. Following Rugersix's videos I broke it down and cleaned it over this Friday evening and finished up this morning. Had some trouble on the reassembly, but it was my own fault, not Ruger's. I had missed the part where he said to make sure the hammer was fully raised on the reassembly vid. Watch carefully
Beware! It looks so simple to take this pistol down but and that is a very big but, it is nearly impossible for the average person to reassemble. I have spent hours and can not get it.
I have a colt woodsman made in 1940 and you don't have to take off the grips on mine . I can take it apart and put it back together in less than 60 seconds.
My grandma gave me her colt woodsman but my dad said i would have to use standard velocity ammo. Would it really matter if i used bulk high velocity 22 ammo thru it? I wouldnt want it to blow up though.
@spritrocks Your dad is on the right track...I would stick to the standard velocity! Remember these guns were designed under different ammo pressures etc. then what's out there today. It may work fine but if you shot enough of it it could wear out that old classic much faster than you want!
@spritrocks Thanks ill sure try to find standard velocity ammo it will be hard to find here were i live theres mostly bulk high velocity ammo but like you said wouldnt want to wear it out..i really appreciate your reply sir
@IPT8 Indeed through Christ alone and only through Him! No...the gun did not suck my blood and yes there are demons out there! In Christ one has noth'n to worry about!
@123456789114 Dude it's a 10 ringer!!! Best and most accurate .22 pistol in my collection! I was amazed and I'm not a great shot! They don't make'm like this anymore!!!
ok do you have any tips on doing it because i try and turn the screws on the sights and they move a little and then stop but the sights dont move any ideas?
I have had my father's Colt Woodsman that my mother had purchased for my father in the sixties (original box/contents price tag of $73.75), pretty sure it's never been appart. I thought my Ruger Mk2 was a challenge to reassemble, this made that look easy, thanks for the postings, couldn't have done without the videos, On a side note, I had no idea that the slide was supposed to remain open after the last round, to the best of my knowledge, it never has....until now, thanks again....
@brianjbayless Oh that's awesome! Well maybe the Woodsman model the slide stays open after firing the last round? My Colt Challenger does not and never has. Is that what you were referring to? Thanks for sharing the story on the gun its worth 5-6 hundred easy right now!
I have had a Colt Huntsman (same family as the Woodsman and very similar) it has been sitting here for over a week. I had "NO Clue" as to what was wrong.
Who’d ah thunk it? I thought the recoil spring that was uncaptured was in the right place. This one little tidbit is the key.
A friend tried to help and inadvertently broke the Magazine Catch Assembly. I have ordered a new one and when it comes I will give it another try.
make sure when you reassemble, that the spring inside the slide is COMPRESSED FULLY and not extended to the rear of the slide. I just wasted two hours of my life. Fortunately went back and watched the video and saw my error. When I compressed the spring inside the slide, I was able to snap it together on the first try! Thanks for the video. I would kept living with this newly acquired used plinker as a "grease piece" if not for your video! Thank you!
@crazeemarchese Thanks! I did point that out in the reassembly video on this gun!
I guess you didn't see that one? Anyhow! Glad you got it figured out...I had that happen once, got another pair of hands I compressed while my son lifted the tab slightly w/ flat head screwdriver and to make the catch! =) Makes it a lot easier or I would have been 2 hours into it myself! Thanks for watching!
As popular as these guns were over the past century, I'm surprised videos about them are so few and far between. Thanks for this one, it's very useful and well done!
Rugersix - one more thing maybe you can help with...
How "bad" is it to dry fire these pistols? I know the general rule is NOT to fire rimfires, but it seems with this pistol, you are bound to every once in a while because the slide does not stay back after the last round (well, at least mine doesn't). So far, I've just been counting rounds as I shoot...
Is it that big of a deal to dry fire Challengers (or Woodsmans) every once in a while?
@johnnycabot awesome glad the video was of help to you! They are great .22 pistols...on the dry fire on these I would avoid it as much as possible! The slide does not lock open and it is best to count shots although I've forgotten to do that a time or two. To much dry fire will eventually wear the firing pin out and cause it to break.
Thanks for posting these videos. I bought a Challenger about two weeks ago at a local shop for $200 - it did not come with a manual. The finish on it is shot to heck, but I've shot 1000 rounds or so thus far and have had ZERO jams or misfires using the regular, cheap Federal ammo. I love it.
Great video. Every time I take my Woodsman apart the recoil spring gets uncaptured. It takes me between 30 minutes and several days to get it recaptured by myself. It helps to put the slide into a cloth covered vice and use a flat bladed screwdriver to compress the spring and a pick to lift the metal retainer. Keep an eye on the spring and rod, they have a tendency to go flying!
THKS so much for this!! Just completed disassembly & cleaning of an early 2nd model. I panicked when the sear spring fell out! Your camera closeups and explanations were very,very helpfull to me. Thanks again for taking the time to put this together!!
Hate when that happens! You need to compress the spring back with a screwdriver bit or something that will work. While you have it compressed take a small flathead screw drive and lightly lift up on the metal piece (tab operated by button) that retains the spring when compressed. it's easier if you have two people one holding the spring back and the other lifting that metal tab to catch the spring as you slowly release it. What out it likes to fly away if it can! Good luck!
Wish I had one to disassemble. what a beauty.That's harder than my MKII to disassemble.Great instructions.Put it in favorites in case I get one someday. Thanks.
Actually...it can be easier...once you've done it a couple of times! I've spent a lot of time on MkII's before trying to get that darn main spring housing assembly back in!!!!! =]
I just disassembled and reassembled my 1936 Woodsman First Series. I was a little reluctant to do so since it seemed a little complicated, but it worked out great! One noted difference on the First Series, you DO NOT need to remove any pins to do a basic disassembly. Also, the magazine catch and sear spring are pinned together. All in all, disassembly was easy and reassembly was too. Just watch your skin when you snap the mainspring housing back into place. Easy place for a blood blister!
Descent211 6 days ago
@HGCGkwa6
There is an indented pin on the floor plate of the magazine. Push that in while sliding the floor plate forward. The pin is inserted into the end of the magazine spring. Pull the magazine spring out. Slide the follower to the bottom of the magazine, then pull the follower tab out. The follower will then slide all the way out of the magazine tube. Reassembly is in reverse order. Remember- don't lube the inside of the magazine, and be careful with springs.
flashpointbravo 2 months ago
A trick I've used to get the recoil spring back in place. Push on the rod/spring with the corner of a screwdriver blade while holding the slide with the other hand. When the recoil spring/guide rod is in place, press the slide against the edge of the bench, focusing on the little button forward of the rear sight. When the little metal piece is in place, SLOWLY remove the screwdriver.
flashpointbravo 2 months ago
Do you have a video on how to disassemble the magazine for this gun? I need to replace the spring inside for two of them.
HGCGkwa6 2 months ago
@HGCGkwa6 No I sure don't you may have to replace the mag? I know they do sell after market mags for these. I have one original and one aftermarket for mine.
rugersix 2 months ago
Want to give a shout out to Rugersix. I am a newbie to pistols and just starting to learn how to breakdown and clean each of my pistols. I bought a 1939, first series Colt Woodsman last Sat. Following Rugersix's videos I broke it down and cleaned it over this Friday evening and finished up this morning. Had some trouble on the reassembly, but it was my own fault, not Ruger's. I had missed the part where he said to make sure the hammer was fully raised on the reassembly vid. Watch carefully
KellasDad 3 months ago
Excellent video, now let's go take it apart....
LeaverAction 3 months ago
I wish you'd detailed the sear spring replacement. Otherwise, nice of you to make this "how to" - thanks.
xenawarriorcat 3 months ago
Beware! It looks so simple to take this pistol down but and that is a very big but, it is nearly impossible for the average person to reassemble. I have spent hours and can not get it.
wood079 4 months ago
@wood079 I'm an average person my friend and I can do it....I know you can too!!!! Don't give up! =)
I have a re assembly vid that might help! Your right it's not easy but persistence will win out!
rugersix 4 months ago
Just a few words to tell you that an interesting downloadable ebook on this model (technical and historic aspects) is available at HLebooks.com.
HLebooks 5 months ago
@HLebooks Thanks
rugersix 5 months ago
I have a colt woodsman made in 1940 and you don't have to take off the grips on mine . I can take it apart and put it back together in less than 60 seconds.
DAVENMEMPHIS 5 months ago
My grandma gave me her colt woodsman but my dad said i would have to use standard velocity ammo. Would it really matter if i used bulk high velocity 22 ammo thru it? I wouldnt want it to blow up though.
spritrocks 8 months ago
@spritrocks Your dad is on the right track...I would stick to the standard velocity! Remember these guns were designed under different ammo pressures etc. then what's out there today. It may work fine but if you shot enough of it it could wear out that old classic much faster than you want!
rugersix 8 months ago
@spritrocks Thanks ill sure try to find standard velocity ammo it will be hard to find here were i live theres mostly bulk high velocity ammo but like you said wouldnt want to wear it out..i really appreciate your reply sir
spritrocks 8 months ago
@IPT8 Indeed through Christ alone and only through Him! No...the gun did not suck my blood and yes there are demons out there! In Christ one has noth'n to worry about!
rugersix 8 months ago
my grandfather has the challenger and is going to give it to me as inheritance
123456789114 9 months ago
@123456789114 That's the best way to get one my friend! Awesome!
rugersix 9 months ago
@rugersix i don't know if you have a shooting video but, how accurate is yours?
123456789114 9 months ago
@123456789114 Dude it's a 10 ringer!!! Best and most accurate .22 pistol in my collection! I was amazed and I'm not a great shot! They don't make'm like this anymore!!!
rugersix 9 months ago
Excellent video, very detailed explanation. Thanks
ThePaulbee1959 10 months ago
@ThePaulbee1959 Thank You!!!
rugersix 10 months ago
Very helpful!!! Thanks for the video.
TheLeever460 1 year ago
@TheLeever460 Thanks for watching and entering feed back!
rugersix 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Amazing CALL OF DUTY 2 GUN lol
AplicAMafiA 1 year ago
Great video. Do the magazine have to stay in while you take it down? Thanks for sharing.
AlphaCalibre 1 year ago
@AlphaCalibre No they don't I also did a reassembly video on it...what a pain! LOL =)
rugersix 1 year ago
can you post a videos on how to adjust the sights on a colt woodsmen target.
proosoccer2018 1 year ago
@proosoccer2018 Sorry that I can't do as I don't have one to demo. Mines a fixed sights.
rugersix 1 year ago
ok do you have any tips on doing it because i try and turn the screws on the sights and they move a little and then stop but the sights dont move any ideas?
proosoccer2018 1 year ago
I have had my father's Colt Woodsman that my mother had purchased for my father in the sixties (original box/contents price tag of $73.75), pretty sure it's never been appart. I thought my Ruger Mk2 was a challenge to reassemble, this made that look easy, thanks for the postings, couldn't have done without the videos, On a side note, I had no idea that the slide was supposed to remain open after the last round, to the best of my knowledge, it never has....until now, thanks again....
brianjbayless 1 year ago
@brianjbayless Oh that's awesome! Well maybe the Woodsman model the slide stays open after firing the last round? My Colt Challenger does not and never has. Is that what you were referring to? Thanks for sharing the story on the gun its worth 5-6 hundred easy right now!
rugersix 1 year ago
I have had a Colt Huntsman (same family as the Woodsman and very similar) it has been sitting here for over a week. I had "NO Clue" as to what was wrong.
Who’d ah thunk it? I thought the recoil spring that was uncaptured was in the right place. This one little tidbit is the key.
A friend tried to help and inadvertently broke the Magazine Catch Assembly. I have ordered a new one and when it comes I will give it another try.
God bless you, you are a life saver
THESTU43 1 year ago
@THESTU43 AWESOME! So glad this video was helpful that's why I put it out! Appreciate the feed back!
rugersix 1 year ago
Comment removed
THESTU43 1 year ago
make sure when you reassemble, that the spring inside the slide is COMPRESSED FULLY and not extended to the rear of the slide. I just wasted two hours of my life. Fortunately went back and watched the video and saw my error. When I compressed the spring inside the slide, I was able to snap it together on the first try! Thanks for the video. I would kept living with this newly acquired used plinker as a "grease piece" if not for your video! Thank you!
crazeemarchese 1 year ago
@crazeemarchese Thanks! I did point that out in the reassembly video on this gun!
I guess you didn't see that one? Anyhow! Glad you got it figured out...I had that happen once, got another pair of hands I compressed while my son lifted the tab slightly w/ flat head screwdriver and to make the catch! =) Makes it a lot easier or I would have been 2 hours into it myself! Thanks for watching!
rugersix 1 year ago
As popular as these guns were over the past century, I'm surprised videos about them are so few and far between. Thanks for this one, it's very useful and well done!
LifeSizePotato 1 year ago
@LifeSizePotato Thanks for commenting and watching!
rugersix 1 year ago
Comment removed
batako1981 1 year ago
Excellent video! I could give it a good cleaning to my first series woodsman now... hehe... Thanks! Regards!
batako1981 1 year ago
@batako1981 Thanks! Glad it was helpful! =)
rugersix 1 year ago
Rugersix - one more thing maybe you can help with...
How "bad" is it to dry fire these pistols? I know the general rule is NOT to fire rimfires, but it seems with this pistol, you are bound to every once in a while because the slide does not stay back after the last round (well, at least mine doesn't). So far, I've just been counting rounds as I shoot...
Is it that big of a deal to dry fire Challengers (or Woodsmans) every once in a while?
Thanks,
Johnnycabot
johnnycabot 1 year ago
@johnnycabot awesome glad the video was of help to you! They are great .22 pistols...on the dry fire on these I would avoid it as much as possible! The slide does not lock open and it is best to count shots although I've forgotten to do that a time or two. To much dry fire will eventually wear the firing pin out and cause it to break.
rugersix 1 year ago
@rugersix
10-4. Thanks!
johnnycabot 1 year ago
Thanks for posting these videos. I bought a Challenger about two weeks ago at a local shop for $200 - it did not come with a manual. The finish on it is shot to heck, but I've shot 1000 rounds or so thus far and have had ZERO jams or misfires using the regular, cheap Federal ammo. I love it.
johnnycabot 1 year ago
Great video. Every time I take my Woodsman apart the recoil spring gets uncaptured. It takes me between 30 minutes and several days to get it recaptured by myself. It helps to put the slide into a cloth covered vice and use a flat bladed screwdriver to compress the spring and a pick to lift the metal retainer. Keep an eye on the spring and rod, they have a tendency to go flying!
fprintf 2 years ago
LOL....BEEN THERE and DONE THAT!!!!!!
I took a flat blade screw driver and bent the metal tab up a bit more so it catches that recoil spring munch easier now.
rugersix 2 years ago
THKS so much for this!! Just completed disassembly & cleaning of an early 2nd model. I panicked when the sear spring fell out! Your camera closeups and explanations were very,very helpfull to me. Thanks again for taking the time to put this together!!
drewichu 2 years ago
AWESOME!!!!
I love it!!!
Thanks for sharing and glad it helped!
rugersix 2 years ago
i have the plainsmen 175.cal bb gun from 1957 wich is the replica of this gun its pretty sweet
usa542 2 years ago
That's cool!
Bet it's worth some buck on todays market!!!! =]
rugersix 2 years ago
how do you put the spring back in on the slide
SaltWaterAngler101 2 years ago
You let it get away????
rugersix 2 years ago
accidently
SaltWaterAngler101 2 years ago
Hate when that happens! You need to compress the spring back with a screwdriver bit or something that will work. While you have it compressed take a small flathead screw drive and lightly lift up on the metal piece (tab operated by button) that retains the spring when compressed. it's easier if you have two people one holding the spring back and the other lifting that metal tab to catch the spring as you slowly release it. What out it likes to fly away if it can! Good luck!
rugersix 2 years ago
thanks very much!
SaltWaterAngler101 2 years ago
Did you get it????
rugersix 2 years ago
Thank you so much! i was finally able to break down my 1949 colt woodsman!
AshenShrike 2 years ago
How about Reassembly
dwlayton 2 years ago
I was hoping everyone would forget! LOL!!!! =] I do need to do that don't I???
I'll get it done but not sure how soon it will be!
rugersix 2 years ago
thats a beauty
italianbadboy17 2 years ago
Thanks!
rugersix 2 years ago
Thanks man... No more requests from me!
kickstartmtheartmc 2 years ago
No worries!!! =}
I still have to do a vid showing it being
put back together! =]
rugersix 2 years ago
where did you get that hat...i can tell its a navy ballcap but i cant make out the words
jonnyv1nj 2 years ago
Personally delivered from a crew member from the...
USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72
Thanks for noticing! =]
My dad was buried at sea from the hanger deck of the Lincoln back in April!
rugersix 2 years ago
O ok. I was stationed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71. Thats why I noticed
jonnyv1nj 2 years ago
Do you have a review on the Ruger LCP?
744682532 2 years ago
That's in the works!
rugersix 2 years ago
lol I like the use of the doctor gloves, cause your preforming surgery right now on the gun. By the way did you ever fix that british revolver?
Gunluver1 2 years ago
LOL!!!!
Well the Brit kind of works and then kind of doesn't! I'm not real happy with that purchase!
rugersix 2 years ago
that great info on the old Colt :O)
how much you asking for it? ;O)~
SKULLZ0MBIE 2 years ago
Let me see Dad's my first handgun....
Hmmmm....PRICELESS!!! =)
rugersix 2 years ago
I hear that, but hey I had to ask, I been looking for one for years
Enjoy
2 thumbs up :O)
SKULLZ0MBIE 2 years ago
Very cool
Z0hann 2 years ago
thanks for doing this!
lazerboy2000 2 years ago
Your Welcome!!!!!
rugersix 2 years ago
thats quite a complicated gun
piercemk 2 years ago
It's not to bad like anything else once you do it a couple of times you got it down!
rugersix 2 years ago
Great vid!
Will this vid also work for a Colt Huntsman?
jackeland454 2 years ago
Thanks!
YES...it will!
rugersix 2 years ago
I think most .22 caliber handguns (Ruger Mark Series, Buckmarks, Woodsman, ect.) are pain in the butt to disassenble. Thanks for the vid.
Lovekicks07 2 years ago
You may have a valid point there!
It's the getting them back together that can be the real nightmare!
rugersix 2 years ago
about 1500 rounds threw my ruger mk3 \o/
But i need to get rid of the pescy magasine disconnector , its really annoying... :/
EwFreDDe 2 years ago
I think you got her broke in now!!!!!
Sounds like your really enjoying it!
How about a vid mate???
rugersix 2 years ago
well i could make one if i get hold of a camera :P but again. i dont want the police to storm into my house with swat and remove all my guns :/
and yeah my main pc died with all my gear in it. now im on my shitty old pc. so . first of all i need my pc back to life lol.
EwFreDDe 2 years ago
The start looks like a murder scene.
hogielove 2 years ago
It turned into a murder scene when I had several takes trying to get the stupid thing back together!!!! LOL =]
rugersix 2 years ago
i request a P64 xD
AdmiralGST 2 years ago
The Polish pistol!!!!!! LOL =]
I hate that thing! LOL =]
I'll send you a link to an awesome review on one!
I'll be doing mine later!
rugersix 2 years ago
Thats cool very nice!!!!!!!
Tater78HD 2 years ago
Thanks Tater!
rugersix 2 years ago
Wish I had one to disassemble. what a beauty.That's harder than my MKII to disassemble.Great instructions.Put it in favorites in case I get one someday. Thanks.
bill13442 2 years ago
Actually...it can be easier...once you've done it a couple of times! I've spent a lot of time on MkII's before trying to get that darn main spring housing assembly back in!!!!! =]
rugersix 2 years ago
great vid for people who own this one! comes in handy I guess
itseasyforyou 2 years ago
Always! =]
rugersix 2 years ago
Always a cool gun.
I wonder how the Browning would stack up against a Ruger Mk II...
Possibly a future video? :D
SavageArms357 2 years ago
Browning Buckmark?
Let me say my Challenger smoked my Ruger MKII Hands down! I no longer have the MKII wish I woukd have kept it!
rugersix 2 years ago
theres a saying i heard that you always regret selling a gun unless its a POS
AdmiralGST 2 years ago
No Fool'n!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =O
rugersix 2 years ago
Cool looking pistol :)
klumzypinoy 2 years ago
Thanks!
rugersix 2 years ago
Ruger uploads like a champ! :)
Tenacious21 2 years ago
Well production will be slowing down a bit! Got a busy schedule this week coming up!
rugersix 2 years ago
Nice...
5/5
MadBadVoodo 2 years ago
Not bad for a 1950 pistol! =]
rugersix 2 years ago
what a beauty.. like i said, your one awesome and lucky guy.
ParanoidDefense 2 years ago
I think so too! Thank You!
rugersix 2 years ago
I've been waiting to see more of this gun sir! :)
-mike
HiCapacity 2 years ago
Well here it is one more clip to go!
rugersix 2 years ago
Comment removed
HiCapacity 2 years ago