My cylinder gap is way too big

slabside2 · Jun 15, 2020

I was shooting my Smith & Wesson 442-1 and I noticed the flames shooting out the side of the cylinder. I have other revolvers and I know you do have some flam shoot out but not like this one. I decided to check the cylinder gap and it measured.012 I checked a couple of my other revolvers and they measured anywhere from .004 to .007 I bought the gun in May of this year new and this was the second time I shot it so I really never noticed it before. I sent an email to Smith and Wesson and told them the problem hopefully they’ll send me a shipping label to ship it back. But my question to you guys is will they replace the barrel on it or send me a new gun? Has anyone else had this problem?....... Hopefully they won’t respond and tell me it’s in spec.
Thanks
Mike

jake1945 · Jun 15, 2020

How did you check the gap? Was cylinder held all the way rearward while measuring?

NYlakesider · Jun 15, 2020

slabside2 said:
I was shooting my Smith & Wesson 442-1 and I noticed the flames shooting out the side of the cylinder. I have other revolvers and I know you do have some flam shoot out but not like this one. I decided to check the cylinder gap and it measured.012 I checked a couple of my other revolvers and they measured anywhere from .004 to .007 I bought the gun in May of this year new and this was the second time I shot it so I really never noticed it before. I sent an email to Smith and Wesson and told them the problem hopefully they’ll send me a shipping label to ship it back. But my question to you guys is will they replace the barrel on it or send me a new gun? Has anyone else had this problem?....... Hopefully they won’t respond and tell me it’s in spec.
Thanks
Mike

To be honest I do not know what THEY call in spec, but to me over .009 is too much. A bit less is better! If it is over their spec and they fix you will get a gun back with a little shorter barrel.

FlyFish · Jun 15, 2020

NYlakesider said:
To be honest I do not know what THEY call in spec, but to me over .009 is too much. A bit less is better! If it is over their spec and they fix you will get a gun back with a little shorter barrel.

I agree with you, but I recall seeing posts from time to time saying that S&W now considers .012 to be within spec. Wouldn't have been the case back in the day.

Neversink n Klapperthal · Jun 15, 2020

If they shorten the barrel do they also shorten the ejector rod?

slabside2 · Jun 15, 2020

Neversink n Klapperthal said:
If they shorten the barrel do they also shorten the ejector rod?

It seems like an easier fix would be just be to replace the barrel.

mikerjf · Jun 15, 2020

Easiest fix is always to adjust the spec.

rockquarry · Jun 15, 2020

Best thing to do is call (not email) S&W and get the straight word on your problem.

max503 · Jun 15, 2020

slabside2 said:
… and I noticed the flames shooting out the side of the cylinder.

You say that like its a bad thing.

686PC · Jun 15, 2020

Per the Kuhnhausen’s book, industry revolver barrel/cylinder clearance specification is .006” for jacketed bullets. Some lead bullet bullseye shooters set clearance at .008.

.012 seems a bit excessive. How is the yoke to frame fit? Does the yoke rocks form side to side you apply side to side pressure with the cylinder is locked? I would check that, in case the wrong yoke screw was used or if it’s damaged.

Cheers,
686PC

tenntex32 · Jun 15, 2020

I just measured my 642-1 that I have had for several years now. The max thickness feeler gauge that will fit, with the cylinder pushed to the rear, is .007".

Dale

max503 · Jun 15, 2020

My Model 34 was brought to spec using end shake washers - but it had the opposite problem. The gap was too small.

Truthfully. If the gun was shooting good I wouldn't worry about it. Yes, you will lose velocity - but just think what you will be gaining in special effects with all that flame!

Rule3 · Jun 15, 2020

As mentioned a E Mail is not gonna work, you need to cal them at the right time and day. Never on a Monday!

stansdds · Jun 16, 2020

Unless I am mistaken, S&W now considers a barrel-cylinder gap of 0.012" to be the maximum, but that means it is still within safe specifications. Personally, I think 0.008" should be the maximum, but that's just me.

slabside2 · Jun 16, 2020

I remeasured it today and it was .015 it was tight but it slid through. I’m sending it back today. The count down begins.

slabside2 · Jul 20, 2020

slabside2 said:
I remeasured it today and it was .015 it was tight but it slid through. I’m sending it back today. The count down begins.

Just in case anyone is sending a gun in for repair it took 24 days to get it back. Now what they did to repair it. They installed a new barrel and repaired the yoke. The cylinder gap is now .004 And it looks perfect. I’m

happy.

Nightowl · Jul 20, 2020

Thank you for sharing your results!! So many threads like this just hang with no conclusion noted! Glad the repair was successful.

kas9412 · Jul 20, 2020

This may be a bad time of year to send in a gun. If I recall correctly, their 2 week summer shutdown starts soon.

kas9412 · Jul 20, 2020

Sorry, now I see you already sent it and received it back. Good for you!

slabside2 · Jul 20, 2020

Nightowl said:
Thank you for sharing your results!! So many threads like this just hang with no conclusion noted! Glad the repair was successful.

Thank you for the kind words.

My cylinder gap is way too big

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