Police Positive safe to shoot?

[Eldon Hickey]

I have a '28 vintage PP in .38 special....an old reblued police gun with some miles on it. Apparently the hand is worn such that it doesn't quite bring the cylinder to lock when it's cocked single-action. However, when the trigger is pulled the bolt pops in and there's virtually no cylinder play. Kuhnhausen recommends peening the hand to lengthen it, but I don't feel competent to try that operation. I've fired it a few times with light loads with no problems but am a bit nervous about it. I'd appreciate any educated opinions. I'd like to avoid taking it to a smith as that cost could probably come close to the value of the gun. Thanks.

[capstan]

You may not have to stretch the hand, you may only need to bend the bolt tail. According to Kunhausen, The bolt actuator tip (tail) usually wears down first. I have had a couple that have had the issue you describe. I fixed them by bending the bolt tail with no work on the hand. They still work fine and the bolt drops into the notch at full cock and of course has the bank vault lockup supplied by the second stage of the hand when the trigger is pulled. It is not a real easy task but with much patience it can be done.

[A1A]

The extent of cylinder rotation is dependent almost entirely on the hand as you state. Most would agree that your gun is probably OK to shoot, but should be watched as further wear may take it to the point where it would not. If you become concerned enough, then repair is your only option. That is your call. However, not just any gunsmith these days is necessarily experienced with that operation either. If you do talk yourself into it, I would first acquire a new hand in case of breakage. While a new hand requires some fitting, Kuhnhausen covers that too. Obviously, if it gets to the point where it really needs to be done, your other choice is retiring the revolver.