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Old 10-20-2018, 10:58 PM
notsofast notsofast is offline
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Default Fixing a loose magnum

A general question, What typically goes wrong with a model 29 that has seen its fair share and then some of 44 magnum rounds. If and when the gun develops these problems can they be repaired. What are the telltale signs that your m29 needs help?
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Old 10-20-2018, 11:16 PM
ken158 ken158 is offline
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Endshake is usually the first problem that shows up. Pull the trigger on empty gun, keep trigger back and check cylinder play front to back and measure barrel cylinder gap. Other issues are that the cylinder notches can get peened out causing the stop to not engage or skip. Ratchets can get worn and timing is affected. Some guns never have a problem but my guns have had all the problems...
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Old 10-20-2018, 11:24 PM
Protocall_Design Protocall_Design is offline
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You can check the endshake without pulling the trigger. It's the same either way, just a lot easier to measure without holding the trigger back.
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Old 10-21-2018, 12:47 AM
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Tell-tale signs:
With the gun unloaded, cock the hammer slowly on each chamber and see if you feel unusual resistance on one or more chambers. Do the same test on double action by pulling the trigger slowly and feeling for unusual resistance on one or more chambers. Also, while doing these tests, check to see if the cylinder has locked up on each chamber.
If you have any unusual resistance during the rotation of the cylinder, or if the cylinder fails to lock up at the end of each rotation, you have an end-shake or timing issue.
The best news is: These are easily corrected by someone with the right tools and know-how.
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Old 10-21-2018, 02:55 AM
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Cylinder endshake is easily corrected with some bearings/spacers/shims to take up the excess clearance on the yoke's barrel. That's what I did to mine when it needed it.

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Old 10-21-2018, 10:22 AM
Protocall_Design Protocall_Design is offline
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I prefer a yoke stretching tool to shims. You can pull the yoke, stretch it, and put it back without ever taking the cylinder apart. Additionally, you have a solid piece of steel for the cylinder to bear against, which I find to last longer than shims. The shims are only .002 or .004 thick, and when they wear out you have a bunch of shreds of shim stock floating around loose in there.
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Old 10-21-2018, 12:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toolguy View Post
I prefer a yoke stretching tool to shims. You can pull the yoke, stretch it, and put it back without ever taking the cylinder apart. Additionally, you have a solid piece of steel for the cylinder to bear against, which I find to last longer than shims. The shims are only .002 or .004 thick, and when they wear out you have a bunch of shreds of shim stock floating around loose in there.
I have made this tool from an old tubing cutter by rounding the cutting wheel gently or I'm sure Brownells can help, check their catalog or call them.
Steve
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Old 10-21-2018, 01:11 PM
Protocall_Design Protocall_Design is offline
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I made my own cutter wheel with a .09 flat on the rim. It makes a shallow, flat ring that doesn't make the tube much thinner. Easy to make from 0-1 drill rod, heat treat with a torch, oil quench.
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Old 10-21-2018, 01:22 PM
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Another common problem is a bent extractor rod. In normal use, it shouldn’t develop, but rough handling and assembly/disassembly of the cylinder can cause it, as can firing/operating the gun when the extractor rod is not tight. An extractor rod with a bunch of run-out can cause all sorts of trouble.
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