Barrel-Cylinder Gap Size Question

[NorwichCadet]

What is a specification or reasonable gap between the barrel and cylinder face for a Colt SAA? My 2nd generation which has seen a good amount of use before me has a gap of .013 and what seems to be a good amount of cylinder play to and fro. In contrast my 1st generation Colt has a gap of .006 and very little play. Also, I have a USFA that is NIB that has a gap of .007. Is the .013 OK or should I try the shimmes to lesson it? THANKS

[1873Bob]

013 is way too large a gap, your other two are more typical. There may well be other reasons that you have a large amount of play in the cylinder. Check for a worn cylinder locking bolt for starters.

[Trapdoor]

I think the only way you can correct the excessive cylinder gap is to set the barrel and ejector housing back.

[Jim Martin]

013 is way too large a gap, your other two are more typical. There may well be other reasons that you have a large amount of play in the cylinder. Check for a worn cylinder locking bolt for starters.

A worn cylinder locking bolt controls ONLY the sideways movement of the cyl. it has nothing to do w/bbl cyl. gap.

[Jim Martin]

I think the only way you can correct the excessive cylinder gap is to set the barrel and ejector housing back.

Setting the bbl. back is only done after u replace the cyl. bushing & the cyl. gap should only be measured w/the hammer @ full cock.

[NorwichCadet]

At full cock it is between 011 and 013.

[Trapdoor]

Setting the bbl. back is only done after u replace the cyl. bushing & the cyl. gap should only be measured w/the hammer @ full cock.

Replacing and fitting a worn cylinder bushing is the only way to eliminate the cylinder's end shack. This places the cylinder further back away from the barrel. Why does the position of the hammer matter? It should not be able to push the cylinder forward if the bushing is fitted properly. Right?

[Jim Martin]

Replacing and fitting a worn cylinder bushing is the only way to eliminate the cylinder's end shack. This places the cylinder further back away from the barrel. Why does the position of the hammer matter? It should not be able to push the cylinder forward if the bushing is fitted properly. Right?

Your right but the position of the hammer when the bushing is too short will cause the cyl. to move forward when the hand engages the rear of the cyl. causing a false reading,the only way u can get an accurate reading for the bbl cyl. gap is when the cyl doesn't move,which is the ONLY indication that the bbl. needs to be reset.