66 barrel cylinder gap ?? Help
- Thread starter jspick
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The best way is to have the barrel turned in one full turn then reface the forcing cone end.
MaineProbation
Member
Whoa! Before you do that, how are you measuring the gap? The proper way is to fill the cylinder with fired cases or specification dummies, then pull the trigger and let the hammer fall on an empty or dummy. Measure the gap with the trigger held back. If it is still 0.012" or more on each chamber, go ahead a have the barrel turned. Otherwise, leave it alone.
MaineProbation
Member
Keep in mind that the S&W barrel thread standard is 36 threads per inch. Therefore, one full turn will take the back of the barrel back 0.028" meaning you will probably have to take 0.022" or so off at the forcing cone to bring the barrel-cylinder gap to the 0.006" ideal spec. But, remember, that is only true if that is the only issue. Headspace and barrel-cylinder gap are related in a revolver but are not the same issue.
MaineProbation
Member
Old age has taught me one thing: If there is any doubt, don't do it.
MaineProbation
Member
Be sure the issue is not excess play between the gas ring and the yoke. If this is the problem, it is acually easier to repair that turning back the barrel.
Maine Probation,
I did as you suggested and checked cylinder gap. With having a dummy round and trigger pulled back and hammer the gap is .015. Without having a dummy round and trigger and hammer at rest position the gap is .016. So I guess I remembered wrong that the gap was .012.
It looks like I need to have the barrel set back one thread and recut the forcing cone and trim the barrel a little.
Any confirmation of this assesment is welcome.
John
I did as you suggested and checked cylinder gap. With having a dummy round and trigger pulled back and hammer the gap is .015. Without having a dummy round and trigger and hammer at rest position the gap is .016. So I guess I remembered wrong that the gap was .012.
It looks like I need to have the barrel set back one thread and recut the forcing cone and trim the barrel a little.
Any confirmation of this assesment is welcome.
John
surveyor_nm
Member
How does it shoot? Does it spit bad? Might still work plenty good the way it is.
Bill
Bill
It shoots fine. The spitting isn't to bad. But is is the gun most used by my sons and thier girlfriends, my wife and me and it gets annoying. We shoot a lot of 38's off the deck, especially in the summertime.
John
John
bountyhunter
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A lot of new SW's have gaps in the .012" range. That won't make a gun spit. Being out of time is what makes them spit out the side.
MaineProbation
Member
You probably have a good deal of wear at the extractor star where it bears against the frame at the recoil shield. Replacement of the extractor has to be done at the factory. They will let you know if the barrel also has to be turned back. I have seen cases where just replacing the extractor will put enough meat back to correct the barrel-cylinder gap.
cmj8591
Member
It is possible that you have a gun with a stretched frame in which case I would retire the gun. The other problem is that the extractor may be worn. Measure the headspace. If it is too large then replacing the extractor may be your fix. If the headspace measures up then I would suspect that the frame is stretched. If you start setting the barrel back to try and cure this you will only end up chasing it back and forth and it will never really be corrected. If the gun is tight and shooting good I would leave it alone.
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