Yesterday, between the rain, I managed to get out and put some .38s through my Uberti birdshead Cattleman. This morning, between showers, I went out with my Harrington and Richardson Auto Ejecting 3rd Model, 1st variation (smokeless), in .32 Smith and Wesson.
It was made between 1905-1908. Well, I have been reloading for it, since I picked it up last year, and was unable to find ammo for it. I am casting an 87 grain lead round nose bullet and pushing it out at 700 fps with a light charge of 700X. A very mild load for the old pocket rocket, even though she is in excellent condition, inside and out.
So, I was pinging rounds off of my 50 yard gong and working my way through the third cylinder of ammo when the action developed a hiccup. I first thought it was an ammunition issue. Broke her open and couldn't see any problems. I tried to finish the cylinder but had the same issues. I downloaded it and headed to the shop.
After a short inspection, I was certain that the timing had gotten off on the little revolver. I could see the hand coming up but it would not turn the cylinder in time with the bolt coming up. If I helped the cylinder along with my fingers, everything else was functioning.
I was heart broken. I had fired less than 100 rounds through the gun, since I got it. Knowing that number one; finding a gunsmith that could and would work on it would be hard and two; the fees associated with such an endeavor would be more than the little revolver is worth, I began to wipe it down and the thought of regulating it to a wall hanger sank in
Well, what I found out, in doing so, was that there was the smallest accumulation of lead on the face of the cylinder and the rear of the barrel. Why does this matter? Well, the tolerances on this revolver, in that location is tight. I didn't dig my feeler gauges out, but I can just slip a cash register receipt between the barrel and cylinder. Maybe 2-3 thousandths of clearance. I cleaned the lead from both surfaces and lo and behold, I do NOT have a timing issue. The revolver is running perfectly fine, again. I am a happy man.
It was made between 1905-1908. Well, I have been reloading for it, since I picked it up last year, and was unable to find ammo for it. I am casting an 87 grain lead round nose bullet and pushing it out at 700 fps with a light charge of 700X. A very mild load for the old pocket rocket, even though she is in excellent condition, inside and out.
So, I was pinging rounds off of my 50 yard gong and working my way through the third cylinder of ammo when the action developed a hiccup. I first thought it was an ammunition issue. Broke her open and couldn't see any problems. I tried to finish the cylinder but had the same issues. I downloaded it and headed to the shop.
After a short inspection, I was certain that the timing had gotten off on the little revolver. I could see the hand coming up but it would not turn the cylinder in time with the bolt coming up. If I helped the cylinder along with my fingers, everything else was functioning.
I was heart broken. I had fired less than 100 rounds through the gun, since I got it. Knowing that number one; finding a gunsmith that could and would work on it would be hard and two; the fees associated with such an endeavor would be more than the little revolver is worth, I began to wipe it down and the thought of regulating it to a wall hanger sank in
Well, what I found out, in doing so, was that there was the smallest accumulation of lead on the face of the cylinder and the rear of the barrel. Why does this matter? Well, the tolerances on this revolver, in that location is tight. I didn't dig my feeler gauges out, but I can just slip a cash register receipt between the barrel and cylinder. Maybe 2-3 thousandths of clearance. I cleaned the lead from both surfaces and lo and behold, I do NOT have a timing issue. The revolver is running perfectly fine, again. I am a happy man.
