slight cylinder movement?

[boomer92266]

i just got a new sp101, when i check cylkinder lockup it has a very slight play in the cylinder. its the same and consistant on all chambers, i called ruger they said if its slight play that it was normal. the barrel to chamber is perfect when checked. is it ok to have slight movement in the cylinder?, as i said it barely moves but does. thanks

[spwenger]

...is the movement? A small degree of rotational movement is normal on most revolvers - it allows a long the bullet to align itself in the forcing cone as the gun is fired.

[Steel Talon]

If you get a "click" with the slight movement then timing is off, and serious JUJU can happen

[boomer92266]

no click, just a hair movement when trying to rotate during lockup. front to back its rock solid. thanks

[Freiheit]

http://tinyurl.com/revocheck

I'm just passing this on, I have zero wheelgun experience. This is a popular checklist for inspecting revolvers.

[ClayInTx]

My revolvers do the same.

[Powderman]

A little bit of rotation--a VERY small amount--is OK. Now, where you really should be alert is when you check it like this:

1. Clear the handgun.
2. Close the cylinder. Check for rotation.
3. Now, cock the hammer. Check again. You still might have just a little bit.
4. The acid test: Hold the hammer back at full cock while pulling and holding the trigger all the way to the rear. There should be little if any play.

Hope this helps...

[boomer92266]

i fired the sp101 today, didn't spit any that i could tell. accuracy was quite good at 7yds, my wife said she couldn't see any thing coming from the cylinder to barrel gap. which reminds me the gap is very close, can't see much light at lockup between barrel and cylinder. but i'm fine with that i don't shoot alot at one time anyhow. thanks

[walt629]

After reading the OP I check the same on my Colt Diamondback and there is a very minute amount of "slop" when the cylinder is in position. Same is true for my Ruger Single Six.

I never noticed it before but I would have to say it is normal. With any mechanical device there has to be "slop" of some degree in order for the moving parts to move. A zero tolerance fit means there will be no movement, even when you want it to move.

I guess the question is "how much slop is too much?" For that answer I'd defer to the manufacturer and if Ruger says it's a normal condition, then so be it.

I fired the sp101 today, didn't spit any that i could tell. accuracy was quite good at 7yds, my wife said she couldn't see any thing coming from the cylinder to barrel gap. which reminds me the gap is very close, can't see much light at lockup between barrel and cylinder. but i'm fine with that i don't shoot alot at one time anyhow. thanks

Every wheel gun has it's own specification for the cylinder to barrel gap. Contact Ruger again and ask what that value should be then check the gap with a feeler gauge.

[spwenger]

After reading the OP I check the same on my Colt Diamondback and there is a very minute amount of "slop" when the cylinder is in position.

At least in the older V-spring revolvers, Colt used a double hand that forces the cylinder as far clockwise as it can go when the trigger is pressed in the final phase. Thus, if you cock one of these revolvers, there may be some lateral slop but, when you press the trigger, it should disappear.