My 28-2 has offset hits on the primers, some close to the primer pocket, nothing seems bent or out of line, What else should I check
offset primer hits
- Thread starter jculloden
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Protocall_Design
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They are most likely offset side to side rather than up and down. That means that the cylinder was not lined up with the barrel when the hammer struck the primer.
If the hit is on the right side, the cylinder went past center. If on the left side, the cylinder didn't reach center.
The next time you shoot, look at the primers while the cases are still in the cylinder so you can see the orientation of the primer strikes.
If the hit is on the right side, the cylinder went past center. If on the left side, the cylinder didn't reach center.
The next time you shoot, look at the primers while the cases are still in the cylinder so you can see the orientation of the primer strikes.
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while empty cock it very very slow and see if the cylinder locks in place when the hammer locks back.
dfariswheel
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Another cause of off-center strikes are alignment problems, often caused by a sprung yoke.
You often get this from "Bogarting" the cylinder......slamming it open and shut with a flick of the wrist.
You often get this from "Bogarting" the cylinder......slamming it open and shut with a flick of the wrist.
Seems like if the cylinder was mis-aligned with the bore enough to result in visibly off center primer hits you would be getting some substantial spitting of bullet fragments from the barrel / cylinder gap as the bullet tries to enter the mis-aligned bore. Sounds dangerous. What am I missing? Could it be a batch of cases with off-center primer pockets?
This happened to me ages ago with one bore on a brand-new 29-2. Turned out to be a machining flaw on the cylinder notch for that one bore. S&W had to replace the cylinder. That is possible but honestly not very likely. Not a common occurrance. Could be something as simple as the crappy cylinder stop spring or a badly worn cylinder stop.
Just when does this occur and looking at the primers while fired brass is still in cylinder, to which side of center are the firing pin marks?
If the marks are all to the right of center as your looking at them, this maybe the cause.
N frame 357s have the heaviest cylinder of any double action revolvers. If used for fast DA shooting or rapid dry firing the rapid turning of that mass and its slamming to a stop as stop is slammed into the back of the stop notch can cause a metal displacement and a couple issues. The back side of the cylinder's stop notches, the part with no lead in groove, gets battered. Look at yours and feel for raise metal displaced by the stop slamming into it. It don't take a whole lot to change good lock up. If there is some take a small smooth faced hammer and tap tap tap on the raised part to move it back down into the notch. Material was not worn away just displaced. Now do the same thing at the little window in the frame where the stop comes up out of it. Power custom sells an over sized stop. But, careful peening and maybe a new factory stop and spring should restore proper function
If the marks are all to the right of center as your looking at them, this maybe the cause.
N frame 357s have the heaviest cylinder of any double action revolvers. If used for fast DA shooting or rapid dry firing the rapid turning of that mass and its slamming to a stop as stop is slammed into the back of the stop notch can cause a metal displacement and a couple issues. The back side of the cylinder's stop notches, the part with no lead in groove, gets battered. Look at yours and feel for raise metal displaced by the stop slamming into it. It don't take a whole lot to change good lock up. If there is some take a small smooth faced hammer and tap tap tap on the raised part to move it back down into the notch. Material was not worn away just displaced. Now do the same thing at the little window in the frame where the stop comes up out of it. Power custom sells an over sized stop. But, careful peening and maybe a new factory stop and spring should restore proper function
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OP
How about some hammer shims?
Protocall_Design
Member
That won't make any difference to where the firing pin hits the primer.
If it shoots, FORGET ABOUT IT........It happens on all types of short and long guns.
OP
Thanks, it does shoot and is a shooter...........Case closed
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It might be helpful if you take a few pictures of just how off the primer hits are. If slightly off but still centrally located - all should be good. If very close to the edge of the primer, I'd say your issue needs to be addressed. If you do show pictures, you might want tto start a new thread so we can easily see them without digging.
