617 Leadding up in the stuffing cone

[686forme]

I've got a 617 in .22 caliber and when I shoot a hundred rounds or so using Federal bulk pack ammo (or any other kind) I get an accumulation of lead in my stuffing cone and get key hole rounds in my paper targets. If I push a cleaning jag through the bore I hang up right at the cone area and push out a thin cylinder of lead. A couple of passes with a patch and the gun is shooting great. Once in a while as I shoot single action the hammer is hard to pull back like the cylinder isn't rotating smoothly. It doesn't happen all the time, just occasionally. Could the two be linked? Should I send it back to Smith? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[c good]

Forcing Cone("Stuffing Cone"?) throat might be a little too narrow of an angle. It might be worth sending it back and have them cut a little wider throat angle. Cylinder timing may be off slightly also. Either way, I'd send it back. Yes..the single action problem is related. As lead builds up it it can impede the cylinder rotation as it carries up to the next round. c good

 

[scooter123]

Sound to me like you're shaving bullets on the forcing cone. That's either a bad timing issue or a barrel that someone forgot to put a forcing cone in. I'd send it back, it really shouldn't be doing this.

 

[stevieboy]

The buildup that you describe might be carbon rather than lead. Either way, something's wrong. .22lr bullets are notoriously dirty so, if there's a problem it's going to show up quickly. My guess is that the barrel-cylinder gap on your gun may have been set too closely. Ideal gap is .006". Significantly narrower than that and cylinder binding plus carbon buildup in the forcing cone will be a consequence.

I know, it's happened to me more than once. I'd send the gun back to Smith for a good onceover and any corrections that may need to be made.

 

[dentkimterry]

I shot 300 rounds of Federal Champion bulk ammo through my 617 a couple of weeks ago and it leaded up the top strap area so bad that the cylinder would barely turn. Cleaned it up and switched to CCI Blazer 22 and didn't have near the build up. So I assumed it is an ammo problem with this gun. I'll use the Federal in my 22 auto.

 

[686forme]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to send it in and have them check it out. I'm sure it's lead build up because I pushed out a full cylindrical piece of lead that was hollow and the wall thickness was about .010 thick. I plan on sending it in with the gun.