I've never run into this before, but S&W corrected it.

[keithherrington]

As part of an effort to sort out (to my satisfaction) the problem of big throats on Model 25-5s (see http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/443336-big-throats-again-saga-continues.html) I purchased the revolver below, serial number BAN63XX.




As I described in the previous thread, the gun as virtually brand new (the side plate had never been off), and performed very nicely indeed. Certainly a tribute to the overall quality of the gun and its properly sized throats.

However, when I got it home and gave it a thorough cleaning I found the gun had developed about .004" end float. This was easily fixed with a .003" thrust washer. What was not easily fixed was the very loose fit of the cylinder to the yoke shaft (yup, it's a yoke and not a crane according to S&W). I could wobble the cylinder up and down and side to side approximately .007". I determined this by measuring between the top of the cylinder and the top strap at the front of the cylinder pushing all the way up then pushing all the way down. The feeler gauges I used were .013" and .020" respectively, both with light drag. The side to side wobble was felt approximately the same, though there was no definitive way for me to measure it. I immediately took out every S&W wheelgun I owned and tried to get any movement on them like I found on the 25-5. No joy. Every one was devoid of any discernable movement.

One of two things are at play here, and possibly a combination of both. Either the yoke shaft is undersized; or the cylinder is bored oversized; or a combination of the two.

Since I have no way of knowing if this is within spec or outside of acceptable specifications, I've sent it off to S&W (at their cost) for a technical inspection, and if necessary, for repair. My fix (if doing this myself) would be to try a variety of new cylinders in hopes one is sized properly for the yoke that is on the gun. Absent that, the yoke may have to be replaced.

I'd be interested if anyone else is familiar with type of issue, and if so how much movement there is on yours. Also, if you corrected it, how?

Keith

 

[jaymoore]

Not too uncommon and usually doesn't hurt anything, including accuracy, weirdly enough!

I used to have a Model 58 that someone had tricked out, trigger job, forward ball lock on the yoke, etc. which had also a built up diameter on the cylinder arm. Super nice machined down industrial nickel plating not unlike what we do for turbine journal repairs.

Anyway, even with minimal play, it didn't shoot or work one bit better than a couple of other Model 58s so it was moved along as i didn't care for the refinish job done after all the customization.

Still fretted a bit over the sloppy fit on some target revolvers for some time, but have yet to find it makes a difference compared to their tighter brethren.

The thrust washers do help, though!

 

[twodog max]

If it shoots good don't worry about it. Little things don't bother me.

I could make some sarcastic remark about how can this be with a non MIM prelock revolver but I won't.

 

[keithherrington]

I finally got it back from S&W

I called S&W several months ago concerning the issue I described above and they gave me an RMA # to return the gun for a thorough diagnosis. I got it back within 2 months with a note that the crane screw had been replaced. Needless to say, this did not correct the wobble I described to them in the letter. I called S&W again and spoke with Mark (nice guy) who issued another RMA # and told me that he would personally pass on my concerns to the techs. Well apparently he did. Three weeks after returning it a second time I got the gun back and this time it was fixed to my satisfaction. Somewhat unusual I got a note back with the gun typed on plain bond stating "*Installed new cylinder stop and spring as well as new heavier center pin to reduce cylinder play N/C*". The gun times and comes up perfectly, no end float, locks solid as a bank vault and the cylinder wobble when the cylinder is closed is almost entirely removed. It's now on par with my other S&W revolvers. Even when the cylinder is swung out, the wobble is significantly reduced. Yup, happy, happy, happy.
Keith

 

[4MUL8R]

I have a modern X frame with the same symptoms. Although this concerns me, I know not if it should be corrected. Is a field revolver better with some wiggle room?

 

[keithherrington]

Is a field revolver better with some wiggle room?

Depends. With the problem I described, in an area not regularly maintained (most people disassemble their cylinders very infrequently), I think not. But in areas such as headspace, I think so. You don't want the headspace so tight that a single grain of powder under the ejector star binds up the entire gun. This is why I like handling revolvers better than autos. They by design are precision machines, and have that feel to them when handled and used. M&Ps, not so much.
Keith