617 Forcing Cone

[CDM00]

Hi all,

I have been shooting my 617-6 a lot the last few years and have kept the revolver fairly clean. I have noticed that the inside of the forcing cone seemed to have some build up. The outside of the forcing cone does not show leading. A few questions:

- Is this normal?

- Are there any special tools/cleaning jigs that work well on cleaning this?

-Can this detract from the accuracy?

-I also noticed a few rough tooling markings on the inside of the forcing cone, can I fix this myself?

I appreciate any advice or comments on this,
Thanks,
CDM

 

[john traveler]

Forcing cone lead buildup is common in revolvers with a rough forcing cone.

I can recommend a Lewis Lead Remover for the forcing cone cleanup.

It consists of a cleaning rod with cone-shaped attachment tip and brass mess cleaning patches. You insert the rod, attach the tip and brass patches, and scrub the forcing cone with twisting motions. Cleans it right up.

As for your rough forcing cone, recutting it is the only solution. I can't recommend this unless you are prepared to set the barrel back one full turn. Recutting a forcing cone to larger than acceptable dimensions can create more problems than it solves.

 

[tomcatt51]

Don't get too carried away worrying about the barrel being really clean. I put lots of rds thru my 617s and the barrels have literally not been cleaned for years. .22 ammo is dirty, my forcing cones have visible machine marks. Doesn't seem to matter. Does it shoot well? Leave the barrel alone. Want to do something worthwhile? Have the chambers reamed with a finishing reamer so you can shoot it a bunch and still get rds in and out of the chambers.

 

[jepp2]

I can recommend a Lewis Lead Remover for the forcing cone cleanup.

Please share where you can get a Lewis Lead Remover that fits a 22 caliber? The handle is too large of diameter to go down the barrel? .32 is the smallest diameter they sell adapters for.

 

[chief38]

To the best of my knowledge there is no such thing as a Lewis Lead Remover for a 22 rim fire. I own a LLR for .38 & .45 calibers and it is a GREAT tool, but as far as a .22 is concerned you will have to improvise.

I have never had issues with the forcing cones on .22 revolvers, but if I did I would try a .243 brush in the forcing cone area only. You can insert the rod and thread the over sized brush on when the rod is in the frame (through the barrel) You could also try the same procedure with a Lead - Away cloth patch. Just work the forcing cone area. There are other things like J-B bore paste on a patch as well.

You did not mention what kind of ammo you are shooting, but I have good luck with the Federal Champion (blue box) It is accurate, reliable and relatively clean to shoot.

Chief38

 

[CDM00]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. I have been shooting some blazer, federal champion, and Mini Mag through this gun. I have had the chance to test ammo through a Ransom rest, but have been disappointed with groups in the 1.5 to 3 inch range with most ammo. CCI standard velocity shot ok with a 1 inch group with a flier or two. The minimag 40 grain shot the best, placing all 10 shots in a group smaller then a dime. I will have to retest some of this ammo with a relatively clean forcing cone. Has anyone had an experience of accuracy better then mine with the 617?

Thanks again
CDM

 

[tomcatt51]

Has anyone had an experience of accuracy better then mine with the 617?

Yes. Fed 711B (and maybe others) will put a cylinder full (10 rds) under an inch at 50 yds.

 

[john traveler]

Oops. I misspoke.

My .22 lead remover is indeed not a Lewis Lead Remover, but apparently a homemade version of one. It uses a S&W .22 looped handle cleaning rod, and the tip is adapted to thread onto the rod. It uses a bit of brass screen just like the LLR. Scratching my head now to remember where I got it or who made it for me...

 

[Slacker]

I got my 617 4" cleaned up with a brass brush and some hoppes, took about 10 mins.

 

[GM4spd]

Obviously not a S&W but this is how mine came out. I
put the slotted end completely thru the barrel,then thread some 0000 steel wool thru the the slot, then turn in the
cone area with some polish like Flitz---DO NOT pull it thru
the barrel with the steel wool in the slot. These old Colts
are extreme shooters--this one has a 28 ounce single action
pull(reliable)--EXACT same action as a Python. Pete