Jump to content
Military Firearm Restoration Corner

End-Shake


FC

Recommended Posts

I've got an EMF .45 Colt SAA clone that has .006" end-shake. I've read some on the subject. I think that .003" is the gap limit, or is that just S&W? I'm not sure how to find shims or revolver center pin that would remedy the problem, or if I can even do shims myself? Thoughts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tony guess I'm dense as far as to the definition of "end shake". If you mean the gap between cylinder mouth and barrel. I believe .006 is optimum. I'm thinking back when I had a Dan Wesson with removable barrel. The manufacture supplied feeler gauge was .006. According to what I recall in the factory manual or possibly a gun rag. There was no internet back then. Less than .006 might and if I remember "might" was ambiguous. Accuracy might (but might not) improve with a tighter gap but at least .006 was needed to assure the cylinder did not bind up. I recall tightening up the DW's gap to .003 and the cylinder began binding after a short session of shooting home cast and lubed handloads. I recall a friend tightening his up to .004. He claimed no binding problems as long as he shot jacketed factory ammo. Best I recall, I did not see an accuracy improvement with the gap less than .006. Your 45's mileage may vary from my experience but .a 006 gap is fine with me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is a base pin bushing that fits into the front of the cylinder. It can be a slip fit or pressed in. It controls forward movement of the cylinder or end shake. .006" gap is usually considered nominal as mentioned above.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wiley, I wonder where to get those? AZ, from what I've read it is back and forth cylinder movement. Battering over time from firing makes it worse. http://www.grantcunningham.com/2007/01/the-importance-of-endshake/

 

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/single-action-army/67827-how-fix-cylinder-play-2.html

 

I see that 3/1000 is supposed to be the limit, as measured between the cylinder and the forcing cone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you. I can't that great of instructions on replacing the bushing, and might have to take it in for repair. It would see the bushing should be in the rear so it would push the cylinder toward the barrel, but the bushing looks just the opposite, like it would push the cylinder back toward the hammer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Part of the bushing purpose is to set head space for the chamber. It also has to prevent the gap from closing between front of cylinder and barrel forcing cone. During recoil the cylinder wants to move forward and the bushing is a solid stop against that. The back has to be open for the cylinder ratchet to be engaged by the hand. I believe the bushing is a slip fit on the EMF, maybe a little Kroil would persuade it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...