Model 17 cylinder barrel contact question

[Texan]

I have a model 17-3 that has a minor "issue".
I have noticed that when the cylinder is moved towards closing that
the cylinder makes contact with the barrel just before locking into place.
This occurs when the barrel is pointed down, but not pointing up.

It is not a gentle rub but actual contact, but just barely and not enough
to keep it from closing.
Lockup and timing seem excellent and it shoots damn good !

Should I be looking for something in the crane or pushrod area that
could be loose ? All screws are tight etc. No endshake at all.
Lockup is tight.

It's not really a problem ( at least I hope not ) just a little curious
to if it's normal for a 35 year old gun ??

Any ideas or coments are sure welcome, thank you.

JW

 

[pownal55]

If the face of the cylinder touches the forcing cone when closed the gun has excessive endshake.

 

[Texan]

Actually it only touches just as I close the cylinder and on a highpoint
near the flues. Cylinder face does not touch barrel flat area ?
I guess you could say only on the high points ?
No endshake and great barrel cylinder gap.
I wish I could post a photo but have no luck when trying.

Anymore thoughts out there ? Thanks in advance.

 

[reuters]

[lang=sv]Had same problem with one of my old model 17 due to bent extractor rod, especially noticed at DA firing. Also experienced this with pre 27 and some other used Smiths in my collection. This may be caused by abuse like e.g. slamming it shut with sharp wrist jerk like in movies (in reality only jerks does this) or knocking stuck empties out by pounding rod on bench. Fixed by either buying new exractor rod or have it mounted in lathe, check bending and bend it back with as short snug fitting tube. Bending back and straightness check in lathe worked fine for me and problem resolved.

Hope that this will be of some help.

Svante [/lang]

 

[dangt]

Similar sounding problem

A 38-200 purchased last year had a similar sounding problem. On that gun, when the cylinder was opened the yoke would "flop around" so loosely that on closing the cylinder would hit the barrel breech. It would also slide past the frame lug when ejecting if the gun were held upside down in an unusual position. Comparing the movement or slop of the yoke in open position to most of my other S&Ws showed way too much clearance in the bore of the frame where the yoke stud rides. When fully closed, the yoke flange seemed to prevent excessive endshake.

I did repair the condition by machining a bearing sleeve from drill rod, reaming the oversized and misshapened bore in the frame and pressing in the sleeve. Now, all is normal. I dont really think it wore into the loose condition...... I think it was someone's attempt at an improvement.

Dan T.