I don't know if this is the right subforum, but I am having an strange issue with my 29-2. It had been opened up and screwed with before I got it, but my smith replaced the spring with factory, trued a surface, and verified timing.

However, all primer strikes are perfectly at 3 o'clock I. Double and single action. Using a caliper, the cylinder, when locked, measures .03" off center going counter-clockwise looking down the barrel. There doesn't appear to be uneven wear on the forcing cone.

So I guess my question is if .03" off center on the primer is within spec.

Obviously do what I'm about to suggest with an unloaded gun. In full lock-up get a light source at the back of the cylinder and look down the barrel and see if the chambers of the cylinder line up with the barrel. I have seen a tool that checks this. It's basically a rod that is pushed through the barrel and then into the chamber and it should line up well. Perhaps someone will come along and give a better answer or tell you where you can obtain an appropriate size rod or how to make one your self.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

Brownells makes a tool called a range rod that you insert down the barrel and it should enter the chamber without interference if the chambers are aligned with the barrel. The head screws on the rod, so you can use it for different calibers. I bought mine many years ago, so not sure the cost, but the important part is the head, which will be more expensive. It is well worth the expense if you have several guns you want to check.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

how does it shoot ?

is it spitting lead at the forcing cone?

is there any other issue with it ?

.03" seems like a lot to me. If I remember correctly that is almost the thickness of a quarter. One of our more knowledgeable folks like Al will be along. He can give you the right answer.

Thanks for the help, guys. We checked the bore/cylinder alignment and it was spot-on. And nothing but normal powder/gas ejection from the gap. I gather either the barrel or cylinder was machined wrong and the other fit to match. And then this left the rest of the parts in the frame off by .03.

From a rest in single-action, it was point of aim at 14 yards (only range I had access to). Every pin-strike was at the same point in single and double action still.

So it appears to be working fine now. I'll just live with the way-off-center primer strikes. I really wish it hadn't been boogered with on the inside. I need to replace the hammer at some point. Previous owner attempted (I think with a Dremel and poorly) to jewel the sides of the hammer for no apparent reason--and only on the non-exposed surfaces!

Weird.

There is nothing wrong with the firing pin strike being .030" off center. Less than 1/32 of an inch. The pin floats and as long as there is proper ignition there is no issue. It's kinda rare to see one that is perfectly centered.

By the way a quarter is .070" thousands thick or so.

tipoc

I know the pin floats, but it can't go anywhere other than where the channel allows. So in relation to the primer, the pin does not float. It can only strike within the vertical margin of the guide. These strikes are nearly on both primer and case. It's really close to not being functional. That said, it does function, and there's no reasonable way that will change at this point.

From 103:

I'm sorry if I misunderstood you but .03" is thirty thousandths of an inch.

Later you said that...

"These strikes are nearly on both primer and case. It's really close to not being functional."

If the measurement is .030 as you mentioned at first this is fairly common. Whether it's in "spec" I don't know.

The primer is about .200" wide so for the center of the strike to be about .030" off center leaves you still plenty of room to work with.

I have seen on some guns that there is very slight movement side to side of the firing pin, often of a few thousandths, .001-.002" or so.

However if you are concerned a smith can look at the gun and swap out the firing pin if it is bent some or look the gun over for you to see if there is an issue. I think you should do that if only for piece of mind.

tipoc