Cylinder gap surprise SW and Ruger

[Infrequent Shooter]

This weekend I went to the range w a super clean older Model 10 smith wesson. it is tight as can be, it looks like a shooter only, but mechanically it is a 9.9

Also took a fairly new super clean Ruger new model blackhawk. very well cared for. I shot one kind of ammo. 38SP, 148 or 158gr, full WC. both FAs were exceedingly accurate from 7 yards. small groups indeed.

Here is the big surprise. the gas blast from the Ruger was crazy vs the SW, which was completely not apparent. I was very surprised. I dug out a feeler gauge. the Ruger was less than 4/1000, in all cylinders. I did not measure the Smith.

Does this surprise you guys? It was a huge difference in gas escape. It was an indoor range so the blast was very noticeable. The Ruger is very tight and I don't THINK it has any end shake?

 

[mongo chicago]

Definitely check the S&W. I had a couple of S&W's where the cylinder gap was too small and after shooting a few cylinders full the cylinder would heat up and expand enough to begin dragging on the forcing cone and even lock up.

 

[nmkid]

Just yesterday, I watched a video of a guy holding a heavy piece of paper next to the cylinder when he fired off a round. The blast destroyed the paper! Didn't have the slightest idea that it could happen

 

[K22]

I have owned a lot of S&W revolvers over the past 50+ years. Some were used very heavily. End shake is one of the common issues that I encountered as the S&W pistols ages with heavy use.

While some pistol smiths do not advocate using shims to correct this issue, I've used them successfully to restore cylinder / forcing cone clearance within spec. The late Bob Milek was an advocate of using them. That's where I obtained the idea and procedure.

 

[DShortt]

I believe the OP meant the side blast is excessive on the Ruger?

 

[AckleymanII]

.004 gap is OK, I have had some with much more.

You darn sure had better wear safety glasses, and make sure the shooters to your left and right have them also.

Cylinder alignment is a topic that is rarely, if ever, discussed. When the cylinder is out of alignment with the bore, incredible lead cutting occurs, causing material to fly out to the sides. I have a tool to measure the bore alignment with the cylinder; some guns are remarkably out of alignment.

 

[243winxb]

Test fired a Hawes 44 mag western marshal revolver . The cylinder gap was excessive. First shot, i thought the gun blew up.
Nothing like my S&W 29-2 in 44 mag.

Customer had me test fire & check his S&W m27, 357 with Federal factory ammo. Found the ammo to be at fault, as many online had same problem.
Powder was not consumed fully and it blew out small chumks.

 

[243winxb]

If gap is excessive, the barrel can be set back to correct it.

Video link.
Correcting Excess Cylinder Endshake on a S&W Revolver.

There can be high spots on the face of the cylinder. Each cylinders chamber gap needs checked A high spot can be corrected by chucking cylinder in a lathe.

 

[a1712]

Just yesterday, I watched a video of a guy holding a heavy piece of paper next to the cylinder when he fired off a round. The blast destroyed the paper! Didn't have the slightest idea that it could happen

35,000 PSI out of a .004" gap is going to move some air. Brian.

 

[Intheshop]

Look up/into;
Range rod. Be prepared though,these are like a bore scope in that you "may" not like what is discovered.

My last 686,(still less than 500 rounds) came from S$W with a tight .003 gap. It'll tighten to a stoppage by a cpl cylinders of factory ammo. And no,it won't be going back,just haven't gotten round to fixing it yet.

Good luck with your project.

 

[JSH]

Another issue, that will make you shake your head, cylinder throat sizes. Serious about accuracy get a set of pin gauges. You might grin, or you might grumble.

 

[GetReal]

Bill Flippin' Ruger.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I believe the OP meant the side blast is excessive on the Ruger?

Yes, It is crazy amount. very accurate though. i just played w the cylinder on the ruger. lots of play when the hammer is cocked, but not end shake, rotation play either way. I just saw these responses. I missed or did not get notice of responses. thanks guys.

 

[jackieschmidt]

One of the old school ways we used to tighten up the cylinder end play on Smiths was to slip a fitted mandrel inside the crane, (.311 works), then lightly peen the area between the two bearing with a small ball peen hammer on a backup.
You could take out as much as .003 end play by (carefully) doing this,

 

[tommeboy]

0.004" is very good. You should see what Charter Arms is. Last one I checked it was 0.021". My buddy was complaining it was throwing stuff back at him. He bought it new and was one his first box of 38 spec. I had him send it back. They sent a new gun. It had a 0.013" gap. But it did not send stuff back at you when fired. I will never buy one of those

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Another issue, that will make you shake your head, cylinder throat sizes. Serious about accuracy get a set of pin gauges. You might grin, or you might grumble.

Pls tell me what to do or attempt to do w pin gauges. I have some. big thanks. I wonder if sending the ruger to tyler gun works may help. they can 'waller' out the forcing cone??

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Power Custom on youtube. Very helpful. Mr. Randall Power. He is a real craftsman.

 

[jds holler]

Many years ago, I got shot in the head with a Ruger 44 mag, old model Blackhawk - right in the temple.-- And I lived.

Buddy and I were standing side by side, both shooting boomers, and were muffed up pretty good - enough that I wasn't bothered by his noise or blast. Suddenly with one of his shots, something struck me in the bare skin portion of my temple just behind my eye socket --
AND IT BURNED!!!
I reached up and pulled it out, and it was a sizable curl of lead; probably 5 to 10 grains in weight. AND it had hit a little vein, and the blood was gushing enough to make my pard think he'd kilt me.

Upon inspection, his cylinder gap was pretty bad, but I'd never have thought a chunk of lead like that would get through it. Would have certainly damaged an eyeball, and gave me something to think about for the rest of my life, jd

 

[243winxb]

something struck me in the bare skin portion of my temple just behind my eye socket --

Mine was a piece of flint from a flintlock muzzle loader. i was a good 15 feet to shooters right. Drawed blood above my eye.

We wear blinders when shooting Bullseye Pistol, outdoors.