647 Help

[Hauss]

Guys,

I just purchased a new 647 PC revolver last week. I cleaned it up and took it out to the range this weekend. It wouldn't even make it through the first cylinder before it would bind up. I could get the cylinder to rotate in single action/double action with some extra force, but I am hesitant to do this and possibly harm the internals of the revolver? This is my first brand new Smith Revolver and the first one I have had trouble with. Anyone have any advice, or things to check before I ship this back to S&W?

Thanks in advance,

Hauss

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Rimfires can be very ammo sensitive. Did you try different types and brands of ammo? If you have a good set of feeler gauges you can check the cylinder gap. Normal should be somewhere in the 0.002" to 0.006" range. Go to the Gunsmithing page, or do a search, to get the correct procedure.

While you're at it check headspace, too. Could be dragging at the back of the cylinder. When you clean make sure you get all around and under the ejector star. An old tooth brush works good.

 

[Hauss]

I checked the cylinder gap. It is somewhere between .009" and .010". It looks like that may be part of the problem? One thing I noticed but forgot to mention in my first post, was the drag marks on the inside of the blast shield. Almost like the ammo was hanging up on the rim. Possibly a headspace issue inside of the cylinder? I only tested with one brand of ammo, as that was all I had on hand, Hornady 17gr. VMAX. Anything else I should be checking for? I understand keeping it clean underneath the ejector star and had cleaned it before it's maiden voyage. Hopefully I can get this thing running as smooth as my 617.

Thanks,
Grant

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The cylinder gap dosen't sound like it would be the hang up. Indications are it's headspace related, what with the drag marks on the recoil shield.

If it was a used revolver I'd say shim it, as that would move the cylinder forward, closing the CG somewhat, and create a equal amount of space at the back. But on a new gun that doesn't seem right. It shouldn't be out of spec.

Shoot it some more with different ammo. Maybe it will lossen up some. Otherwise, return it to the Mother Ship for some free TLC.

 

[Hauss]

It was a new gun so I contacted smith and wesson. They had a shipping label to me very promptly. I received a call from them about 2 weeks after they received the gun. Ended up being an alignment problem between the frame and the cylinder and they are replacing the revolver. No idea on when it's going to get to my FFL as they had zero on hand, but hopefully sometime before the snow starts coming down.