Paranoid concern?

D

DanP

New member
Ok, this is probably a completely stupid thing to be concerned about, but might as well ask:

How (im)possible is it for the cyclinder action to go out of spec so that the chamber and the barrel are not perfectly aligned?

Due to wear, dropping the unit, bad manufacturing, whatever.

What kind of tolerances are we talking about in this area?

What amount of freeplay (if any) would be acceptable , or should the cylinder be rock solid and "one with the frame"?

Should there be any difference with a DA being cocked or not?

Still learning here folks, so be gentle with your answers...;)
 
M

Mike Irwin

Staff
It's very possible.

In fact, it is very likely that few, if any (other than the brutally expensive very high end guns) revolves have a "perfectly" aligned cylinder to bore axis.

Very few guns have a rock solid lockup. Some do, but it's more of a fluke than anything. And even that rock solid lock up doesn't guarantee that the cylinder-bore axis is perfectly aligned.

The most common cause of this happening out side of manufacturing tolerances is EXTENSIVE shooting.

I'm not really sure what kind of tolerances are standard, but generally, if things other than powder gas start coming out of the cylinder gap, it's a problem. That's usually the first sign that something is out of the ordinary and needs the attention of a gunsmith.
 
K

Kalvan

New member
When it starts to get "out of time" it starts to shave off bits of the bullet and splatter them on one side or the other in an unpleasant manner. As far as checking the lock-up, it's most critical that it be tight when the bullet is leaving the gun, so check it with the trigger held back. A little movement is generally not a cause for alarm in my experience, and many will not move at all when the trigger is back.
 
D

DanP

New member
Good info, thanks.

I suppose if it is gradual the shavings would give a heads-up.

C.R.Sam, that link was just superb!
 
J

James K

Member In Memoriam
Some revolvers lock up very tightly, but some, like the Colt DA with its two step hand, can force the cylinder OUT of alignment, even though it seems to be locking up tight.

S&W's always have some rotational play; this is normal and does not affect barrel/chamber alignment when firing, since the bullet itself lines them up.

Further, it is not uncommon for one chamber to be out of alignment and the rest OK. The only way to be sure is with a range rod.

Jim
 
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