Looking for insight on looseness in a .32-20 Army Special (mid-1920s)

[DCWilson]

Someone please check me on my analysis of an issue with my Army Special in .32-20.

When cocked, there is a bit of rotational play in the cylinder and the crane can actually be pushed away from the frame by a few thousandths of an inch -- not much, but the motion can be felt and seen.

At full lock up (fired position and trigger held back), there is no play in the crane and cylinder. We are talking about the bank vault standard here.

If I take the cocked revolver and rotate the cylinder as far clockwise as it will go, when I pull the trigger the hammer falls without any motion to the cylinder. When I take the cocked revolver and turn the cylinder as far anti-clockwise as it can go, when I pull the trigger the cylinder makes a tiny clockwise jump as the hammer falls.

I think I am seeing the effects of either a short hand or some ratchet faces that need to be peened a little. Is there anything else here that I should be looking at to tighten up this revolver? It's not a virgin gun by a long shot, but it has a pretty decent finish for something this old. The stocks are all beat up, but the metal everywhere looks pretty nice. I'd like to make this one a reliable shooter.

Thoughts and advice are welcome.

I can post a pic if anyone wants to see the gun, but it's just another Army Special.

[A1A]

IMO if it locks up with no rotation with the trigger pulled, the hand is not short and the ratchet fingers are not faulty. When you rotate the cylinder clockwise, you are playing the role of the lower hand upon full trigger pull. When you rotate the cylinder counterclockwise, you are exacerbating whatever play there is left before full trigger pull. If you lengthened the hand until it locks up just from being cocked, you likely wouldn't be able to pull the trigger. Cranes can be moved a little if you try hard enough. I can't comment on amount with out seeing the gun, but if you are concerned about chamber alignment at firing, check it out with a range rod. JMO

[DCWilson]

Thank you. I should have mentioned that at full lock-up the range rod drops all the way in, so there is no alignment problem.

My concern was basically that on other revolvers I have solid lock-up both at full cock AND after the hammer fall. Could be just a thousandth of an inch someplace. I don't think I will worry about it.

[A1A]

Consider it .001" of historical character. Unless it exhibits some problem when shooting, I think you are correct.