fixing the hand on a 1937 Brazilan
- Thread starter Dad's S&W
- Start date
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If timing is slow by the same amount on each cylinder, the typical fix is to fit an oversized (thicker) hand. That may be a problem with your 1937 - the hand is different from more modern hands. While I think that a modern hand will advance the cylinder, it will not operate the early hammer block on the gun, so you won't have that feature.
If a thicker hand will not fix the problem, you will have to fit a new ratchet to the gun. That is a job for a gunsmith (I'm presuming that you are not one, given your question).
Buck
If a thicker hand will not fix the problem, you will have to fit a new ratchet to the gun. That is a job for a gunsmith (I'm presuming that you are not one, given your question).
Buck
Where is a good source for an ocersized hand and or ratchet?dbarale
Member
Before you replace the ratchet, have you checked for end shake?
davidj
Member
When the cylinder is closed, does it move fore and aft? That's endshake. So the question is, is your hand pushing the cylinder forward a little and not engaging the ratchet all the way. The solution (if you have the fore-aft movement) is to add a bearing in your cylinder or else swage out the crane.
You should also check for endshake in the yoke by removing the cylinder, closing the yoke, and seeing if the yoke itself has play (with the foreward side screw set, of course).
You should also check for endshake in the yoke by removing the cylinder, closing the yoke, and seeing if the yoke itself has play (with the foreward side screw set, of course).
dbarale
Member
So the ratchet is probably a little worn and a new hand may fix the problem. Some old gunsmiths are also able to "strech" or bend the hand to fix timing issues but they are becoming rare...
dbarale
Member
I do not know as i do all my work myself. You may want to post your location so other members can direct you to a local expert.
