S&W 617 forcing cone, I gots questions and pictures

[ysr_racer]

I've got a 617 that spits lead, and is filthy to shoot. I also have a 1960 M17 that doesn't.



I bought a little tool to check the forcing cones, before I send it in for gunsmithing.

Here's the tool



Here's the M17

 

[ysr_racer]

And with the tool inserted, it sits below the barrel

 

[ysr_racer]

Here's the 617



And with the tool inserted, it sits ABOVE the barrel.

 

[ysr_racer]

What do you guys think? Send it in?

Is the M17 the correct forcing cone?

 

[ken158]

Any way to measure the below and above distances? If you can get some numbers and include with the pics and send to S&W maybe you will get something back - A "send it in" would at least indicate they think there is an issue.

 

[minconrevo]

Could be a cylinder or two not lining up with the barrel. A range rod to check all for line up would be a way to eliminate that. Could be an excessive barrel/cylinder gap. If gap exceeds .0015" by much that could cause spitting.

There are tools to square the barrel at the forcing cone as well as to polish the cone. Be careful with the former as too much metal can be removed.

 

[stansdds]

I tend to think the spitting issue is more likely an issue with chamber to barrel alignment, perhaps oversized chamber throats.

 

[Mehutch]

I had the same problem with my S&W 41 mag.

 

[series guy]

If I remember correctly the directions for that tool state that there is no accuracy to be gained by opening the throats past what his gauges indicate. I don't think accuracy would drop off much. I also can see how that would cause lead spitting. I'm in the range rod camp also.

 

[Big Cholla]

IMHO, you don't have a forcing cone issue. Probably one or more cylinders are not aligning with the axis of the bore correctly. In short you have a timing problem. Find a pistolsmith that knows S&Ws to fix it. This is not a problem that should be 'fixed' by an amateur who is reading directions or watching You Tube how to do it posts. ......