Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Kalsem
Thanks David, I really dont like the though of selling the K-22. I got it from an Uncle after he died. But the 44 Mag is just so nice and the chance to own one of the first doesnt come around so often. Im just trying to figure out a way to get the 44 without getting the wife upset. May have to sell one of my old tractors instead. I also am into old John Deeres. Have a great day.
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Jim,
I agree with David wholeheartedly about the price and condition. That is such a beauty and a family heirloom to boot! From the ring on the cylinder it looks like it was fired quite a bit but given exquiste handling care! Or else the cylinder stop bolt just happens to have come very rough from the factory.
I don't usually suggest to people what to do with their guns, that's their business. But in this case I strongly believe you will seriously regret letting this one go once the excitement of obtaining the 44 wears off. We've all been there one time or another, trust me on that. You can possibly replace the gun at some point but not the heirloom status of it! I like to keep the wife happy too, but sometimes like this......I'd sell the tractor or even go into hock! The Ropers would be virtually irreplaceable.
Here's a little tutorial on the cyl bolt that applies to all revolvers that I hope you fine helpful especially on the new 44:
There are several aspects to the cylinder ring issue:
#1. POLISHING THE CYLINDER BOLT: For all SA and DA revolvers - the single most important preventative action you can take and the 1st thing I do on any revolver of mine, new or used is pull the cylinder (or open it, in the case of DAs) and polish the cylinder bolt! They all come with file marks just waiting to carve out a line and groove in your cylinder finish!! This is especially true on stainless which is relatively soft and therefore similar to aluminum when it is machined in that it has a tendency to gall like those little cuts or chisel marks seen on SS cylinders from a sharp edged Cyl stop.
With a VERY FINE abrasive wheel in a dremel tool, polish out the file marks and then with a dremel felt buffing wheel and white rouge (for stainless steel) put a mirror finish on it. Don't forget to mask off the frame and breech face all around the bolt with duct tape because the dremel will slip off the bolt. And don't over do it unless it needs reshaping anyway to better fit and center in the cylinder notches. If you do nothing else, this is the single most important thing you can do to avoid that ugly cylinder ring! And it has delayed the bolt from even wearing all the way thru the bluing on my new guns after years of shooting mine.
2. Mostly you can rely on #1 above! But even with perfectly timed actions, by design, the bolt on DAs is raised early in the cylinder cycle. Eventually you may get a line on the cylinder but it should never be completely around the cylinder; only 1/2 way to the next cylinder notch. A simple habit when you close the cylinder; with your left hand grasp it around the bottom of the frame with thumb and forefinger in opposing flutes positioning them at 3 and 9 o'clock when closing the cylinder will prevent scribing and becomes so natural after a while, one doesn't even have to think about. This works on five shot cylinders as well by positioning two flutes at 4 and 8 o'clock. Once closing the cylinder in alignment becomes a habit which is like after the 2nd time you do it for most of us, it's no "effort" what so ever; or about as much effort as remembering to breath. This WILL mitigate a full cylinder ring and at least limit wear to an interrupted ring.
Not all care about this issue and are quick to tell you. The cylinder line scribed by the cylinder stop is about the most obvious sign of wear. Not just a sign of shooting but also of cycling, opening for checking or loading and unloading.
The actions above will not completely prevent the cylinder ring but has mitigated the ring on my guns. Now you can handle and shoot 'like new' or old revolvers with a clear conscience that you won't cause any more perceivable wear!
Good luck!