Just wondering why some of my Smiths ( K,L,N ) have end play and some don't . I'm talking both used and un-fired guns . Is it tollerence's in manufacturing ? It can't be from excessive shooting because I have some unfired guns that have some play and other used guns that don't .
Also what does it hurt and can it be shimmed by a "do it your self " guy ?
I have a Model 18 that I purchased used. It would misfire about 2 rounds out of every six. The cases looked like light hits since the rims were only lightly dented. I tried cleaning the weapon to no avail. Changing the springs also did not improve the situation. I finally purchased some shims from Brownell's to adjust the cylinder end shake. Problem solved.
First step is to measure how much cylinder end shake you have.
Get an automotive feeler gauge.
Push the cylinder to the rear and hold it there while you gauge the barrel/cylinder gap.
Push the cylinder forward and hold it there while you gauge the gap again.
Subtract one measurement from another and that's how much end shake the gun has.
Anything over 0.006" needs repair.
Repair can be the factory yoke shaft stretch technique or installation of a hardened stainless steel washer with grease.
Failure to repair excessive end shake causes battering damage of the ejector, yoke, and frame as the cylinder slams back and forth in the frame.