bulged cylinder question

[pit808]

Is it possible to fix a bulged chamber? I know the answer is probably to get a new cylinder fitted, but I was just wondering if there was another option.
Thanks.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

No fix if it's bulged. It's stretched and unsafe.

 

[Camster]

I agree.Replace it.

 

[Twist]

Is it possible to fix a bulged chamber? I know the answer is probably to get a new cylinder fitted, but I was just wondering if there was another option.
Thanks.

This relates to mild bulging of the cylinder immediately inside the cylinder stop cuts and no where else. It has been used on PPC revolvers with varying degrees of success.

I have experimented with a few methods - the best results came from peening the floor back into the cylinder. This basically pushes the bulged metal back into the location that it was before the bulge occurred.

I machined up 6 solid brass plugs that were a firm fit in clean cylinders, I then supported the cylinder on a large lump of sheet lead that I had folded over a number of times.
I then hand filed a solid copper rod so that it had a profile that neatly fitted the cylinder cut of the bulged chamber.

Using a hammer to hit the copper rod, I carefully tapped away until the bulge was all but gone.The profile of the copper rod may become distorted and have to be re-shaped if too soft a blow is delivered - hit it too hard and you can damage the cylinder. Check often as the process progresses slowly !

I gave the chamber a light polish with some 1200 grit wet and dry paper and test fired - no more sticky extraction on that chamber.

This method is not recommended for guns that shoot anything more than mild target loads.

 

[durco]

This method is not recommended for guns that shoot anything more than mild target loads.

Yes, and hopefully, this same warning gets passed on to the next owner - and the next owner - and the next owner.

 

[pit808]

My cylinder has a tiny little dimple in the area of the case head. I'm guessing a case head ruptured on the last owner and made this little indention about 1/8th" or so from the rear of the chamber. It makes ejecting spent cases impossible without tapping it out from the front. The rest of the chambers work fine.

I guess I have a 5 shot K frame now.....

 

[john traveler]

sleeving

A possible fix is to ream out the bad chamber, install a tightly-fitted sleeve, and re-chamber. This was commonly done to N-frame cylinders when converting to a smaller caliber, but rarely done to K-frame cylinders. It's much more common to simply replace the cylinder, of course.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Pretty much ANYTHING mechanical can be done if you are willing to spend the money to do it. Much, much better just to replace the cylinder.Much cheaper too.