Cylinder end shake on a Trooper MkIII

[Nuclearmike]

Bought a 2 1/2" Lawman MkIII at a gun show a while back. Thought it would make a fine carry piece. Finish was rough but didn't seem like it had been shot a bunch. At least not many magnum rounds as there is just the slightest amount of a blast stripe on the top strap above the cylinder gap. In any case, I must have gotten a little too excited because I neglected to check the thing for end shake until I got it home. I'm not sure I would call it excessive (probably should measure it) but it is noticeable. Should I be concerned? Is there an easy fix? How much is too much?

Thanks in advance.

[A1A]

First, there is no 2 1/2" Trooper MkIII. 4" was the shortest made. Aside from that, 0.003" maximum is the endshake spec for the MkIIIs as well. The fix, if necessary, is a trip to Colt.

[dfariswheel]

I'll add that the factory spec is 0.003" maximum end shake.

If it's over that it needs repair, and the ONLY people who can correct it properly is Colt.
Your local gunsmith CANNOT correct it properly, and unlike S&W's you cannot install any washers to correct it.

As a double check, the correct measuring method is to push the cylinder forward and hold it whole you use an automotive feeler gauge to measure the barrel-cylinder gap.
Then push the cylinder to the rear and hold it while you gauge it again.
Subtract the one from the other, and that's how much end shake you have.

If the end shake is 0.003" or over and you continue shooting it, you'll do serious damage to the gun.

[Nuclearmike]

Thanks for the info guys.

That's what I was afraid of. I haven't measured it yet (can't find my feeler gauge) but I'd bet it's more than 0.003". I got suspicious because none of my other Colts have ANY end shake at all.

Sending it back to Colt sounds expensive. Probably half what I have in it just to ship it there and back. I reckon this old boy gets retired. It's a shame, too. Thought it would a darn good carry piece.

[broknaxl]

It might not be that bad to send it to Colt - It seems that they are reasonable on their labor charges. It wouldn't hurt to inquire.

[RDak]

I'll add that the factory spec is 0.003" maximum end shake.

If it's over that it needs repair, and the ONLY people who can correct it properly is Colt.
Your local gunsmith CANNOT correct it properly, and unlike S&W's you cannot install any washers to correct it.

As a double check, the correct measuring method is to push the cylinder forward and hold it whole you use an automotive feeler gauge to measure the barrel-cylinder gap.
Then push the cylinder to the rear and hold it while you gauge it again.
Subtract the one from the other, and that's how much end shake you have.

If the end shake is 0.003" or over and you continue shooting it, you'll do serious damage to the gun.

Dfariswheel: If his endshake was. let's say 0.005", would it be ok if he carried it but shot it only a very little bit from now on?

(But a call to Colt for a repair estimate would be good........just a bit curious about how critical this endshake is if the gun goes a bit over 0.003" endshake.)

[A1A]

Just in case, here is a much previous comment on that.

Python cylinder endshake

[dfariswheel]

As in the linked post, you can keep shooting the gun, even with Magnum loads but it's like driving an expensive car with an engine or transmission problem.
It's only going to get worse.
Past a certain point, you start getting impact damage on the frame and ejector, and cylinder hitting the rear of the barrel.
As long as you don't over do it, or if you shoot mild .38 loads, you can continue shooting it, but keep a close eye on end shake so you catch it when it gets too bad.

As for high shipping charges, check out some local FFL Dealers and see if one won't ship it for you at a lower price.
FFL's can ship through the US Post Office at low prices.
If you can find one who won't stick it to you for running it through his books, you might save some dollars.
If you offer to handle all the packing and wrapping, and driving to the post office, all a FFL has to do is book it.

[Nuclearmike]

According to the Colt website overnight shipping via UPS or FedEx is required. No US Mail. I looked up shipping charges and it would be about $60 each way assuming no extra charges for firearms.

Not sure how much the work would be. Might be worthwhile if it isn't too expensive. It seems that a short barreled Lawman is commanding a pretty penny over on GB. Thinking about re-finishing it as well. Seems price on that is around $200 from what I've been able to gather doing internet searches.

BTW, what is the fix for excessive endshake? I measured it and it is 0.006".

[RDak]

As in the linked post, you can keep shooting the gun, even with Magnum loads but it's like driving an expensive car with an engine or transmission problem.
It's only going to get worse.
Past a certain point, you start getting impact damage on the frame and ejector, and cylinder hitting the rear of the barrel.
As long as you don't over do it, or if you shoot mild .38 loads, you can continue shooting it, but keep a close eye on end shake so you catch it when it gets too bad.

As for high shipping charges, check out some local FFL Dealers and see if one won't ship it for you at a lower price.
FFL's can ship through the US Post Office at low prices.
If you can find one who won't stick it to you for running it through his books, you might save some dollars.
If you offer to handle all the packing and wrapping, and driving to the post office, all a FFL has to do is book it.

Thanks for the info dfariswheel and A1A.