Can someone give me an idea how large the gap should be between the cone and cylinder on a 79-80 model 60 38spc.? Just picked one up and the gap seems a bit larger than the other couple revolvers I have, a 66 and 642. Is it normal for a larger gap on this pistol or maybe I'm just not gauging it correctly. Any help would be appreciated. Anyone with the spec on the gap? Thanks.
Can someone give me an idea how large the gap should be between the cone and cylinder on a 79-80 model 60 38spc.? Just picked one up and the gap seems a bit larger than the other couple revolvers I have, a 66 and 642. Is it normal for a larger gap on this pistol or maybe I'm just not gauging it correctly. Any help would be appreciated. Anyone with the spec on the gap? Thanks.
Fill the chambers with empty cases. Close the cylinder, pull the trigger and let the hammer fall on the primer of an empty case. Now, holding the trigger back, see how many thicknesses of new dollar bills will fit in the gap. Do it for each chamber. A dollar bill is 0.004" thick. You should not be able to fit any more than 3 thicknesses (0.012") between the cylinder and forching cone of the barrel. I have seen gaps (measured by this method) from about 0.004" to 0.012" and are considered acceptable.
I remember reading somewhere, that the gap for revolvers should be .004" to .010". In lieu of a feeler guage, the following can also be used to give you some idea:
Printer Paper - .004
Index Card - .008
Business Card - .011
Thanks guys. I guess it's not as bad as I thought. I can force a business card if I push hard and force it and a dollar folded in half will barely go in also. So it looks like it's within specs. I did call S&W and thy said between .004 and .010 is the spec now. Guess as my eyes get older, I don't see things as good as I used to. I could have sworn it looked larger than it is. I'll find a feeler guage and get a more exact size but for now, I guess it's ok. Thanks again.