Cimarron Model 3 Schofield End Shake

[TheTinMan]

I went to pick up a brand new Uberti/Cimarron Model 3 Schofield this afternoon but came home empty handed. The cylinder gap is .005” when pushed forward and .009” when pushed back. I know that .004” is far too much endshake for any revolver.

Does anyone know what the acceptable range for the cylinder gap might be for this revolver?

Is this a common problem with this model? I’m familiar with Colt and S&W double action revolvers but this one is entirely new to me.

Sadly I’m returning this to the seller. Hope they have a good one in stock…

Chip

 

[TheTinMan]

I have been informed on a CAS forum that you should have cases in the cylinder before measuring the cylinder gap and end shake. Because “headspace…”

Does that make sense? I have never heard of doing that before.

Chip

 

[glowe]

Did you measure with the action open or closed? I have a very early Uberti Schofield, 1995, sn 529, and it has no cylinder play when closed and has .012". When open, the gap of .015". Many of these guns were shot with black powder, so the larger gap reduced problems with powder fouling.

These guns rely on the recoil shield to fix the cylinder in place, since top break guns always have a small amount of cylinder play when open. The extractor catch pin and extractor gear must have some clearance to work smoothly, so a slight gap is proper.

Your cylinder gap is very tight for a BP gun, so would quickly become sluggish with a couple of cylinders full. My guess is that the early guns were built to accommodate BP, but the company determined that nobody was shooting this powder, so maybe tightened up the gap.

 

[TheTinMan]

Thank you Gary! My gunsmith measured the cylinder gap with the gun locked closed but no cases in place, after dropping the hammer (gently), and with the trigger still depressed. I think that’s the correct way to check for endshake but am open to correction.

I had not thought of the black powder impact on optimal cylinder gap but have seen multiple references to these guns jamming up quickly when using black powder.

That parts diagram is greatly appreciated!

P.S. The seller seems to think .004 of play was excessive and I hope to resolve the issue early next week.

Chip

 

[glowe]

I forgot to mention that the schematic is of a 38 Single Action top-break. Just about the same as the Model 3s, but downsized with a 5 shot cylinder. My Uberti Schofield is .003" has worked for years without any issues.