Cylinder gap

whichfinger
Administrator

Posts: 481

Cylinder gap Jan 30, 2020 22:19:46 GMT

Quote

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:19:46 GMT

By lostcalifornian

Feb 05, 2013#1

Or whatever you call the space between the cylinder and the forcing cone.

I am trying to get my 3 1/2" bird's head RR to be more accurate, and I have found that the front sight needs rotated to the left a few degrees, and that the gap between the cylinder and the forcing cone measures out at .014", no matter what cylinder I put in (I have a total of 6 cylinders, for two guns, in lr and mag). All of them seem to have one spot that is tight, so much so that they won't rotate with the hammer, but I can do it by hand.

I was wondering if anyone else had measured the gap on their gun, not particular about which model, and if so would you post the result, so I can compare it to mine. I have read online, across several forums and articles, that a gap of .006" is considered the ideal, but that S&W has started to let .012" be acceptable.

I was thinking of taking the gun to a local gunsmith, and seeing if he could turn the barrel in a bit more to take up the space, trying to get the gap closer to the .006", and at the same time get the front sight to align properly without having to bend it. Gun is way out of warranty, so I ain't worried about warranty work from Heritage.

Thanks, y'all.

My dad used to tell me, "Boy, don't ever miss a good chance to shut up." Sadly, I've never been good at minding my old man.

whichfinger Administrator Posts: 481	Cylinder gap Jan 30, 2020 22:20:08 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:20:08 GMT By whichfinger Feb 05, 2013#2 IIRC last time I measured mine they were all in the neighborhood of .08-.10.
	My dad used to tell me, "Boy, don't ever miss a good chance to shut up." Sadly, I've never been good at minding my old man.

whichfinger Administrator Posts: 481	Cylinder gap Jan 30, 2020 22:20:42 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:20:42 GMT By dangerranger Feb 05, 2013#3 My Ruger is .012. Ruger says this is in the normal range. I'm guessing the wide side of normal. DR
	My dad used to tell me, "Boy, don't ever miss a good chance to shut up." Sadly, I've never been good at minding my old man.

whichfinger Administrator Posts: 481	Cylinder gap Jan 30, 2020 22:20:58 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:20:58 GMT By Ulmus Feb 07, 2013#4 I'd take it in. It sure couldn't hurt.
	My dad used to tell me, "Boy, don't ever miss a good chance to shut up." Sadly, I've never been good at minding my old man.

whichfinger
Administrator

Posts: 481

Cylinder gap Jan 30, 2020 22:22:02 GMT

Quote

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:22:02 GMT

By lostcalifornian

Feb 21, 2013#5
I got to wondering...so I looked on the Heritage website, and now I have a big question.

I was wondering if I could replace the barrel on my short gun, just kinda take the one off and put on another blank 3 1/2" barrel, then have the front site installed and the hole drilled for the ejector tube. Found this answer on the FAQ page...

"CAN I CHANGE MY ROUGH RIDER BARREL TO A DIFFERENT SIZE BARREL?

No, because your Rough Rider was registered to you with a certain barrel length and serial number. BATF maintains this information and it cannot be altered. If a barrel length is changed, then a new serial number and new registration must follow. This is a lengthy and costly procedure. We do not sell Barrels and Frames to consumers or dealers."

Now that last sentence makes a lot of sense to me, but all that verbiage in front of it really has me scratching my noggin, thinking, WTF?!?!? I can buy different barrel lengths for my Phoenix Arms pistol, my Ruger MK II and 10/22, Dan Wesson made a whole kit with different barrel lengths for their revolvers, and those are easy to swap out. Does anybody make sense of the first 4 sentences, cuz I sure don't!

In the long run, I am not going to ask them to sell me either a steel frame or another barrel, since they say they don't sell those to consumers or dealers. Ahwell.

My dad used to tell me, "Boy, don't ever miss a good chance to shut up." Sadly, I've never been good at minding my old man.

whichfinger Administrator Posts: 481	Cylinder gap Jan 30, 2020 22:22:40 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:22:40 GMT By whichfinger Sure sounds bogus. Lots of gunsmiths swap barrels and I've never read about that being a legal hassle. The receiver is the serial numbered part, not the barrel.
	My dad used to tell me, "Boy, don't ever miss a good chance to shut up." Sadly, I've never been good at minding my old man.

whichfinger
Administrator

Posts: 481

Cylinder gap Jan 30, 2020 22:23:36 GMT

Quote

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:23:36 GMT

By Conman37

Feb 22, 2013#7
From Heritage Firearms Company FAQ:

QUOTE
CAN I CHANGE MY ROUGH RIDER BARREL TO A DIFFERENT SIZE BARREL?

No, because your Rough Rider was registered to you with a certain barrel length and serial number. BATF maintains this information and it cannot be altered. If a barrel length is changed, then a new serial number and new registration must follow. This is a lengthy and costly procedure. We do not sell Barrels and Frames to consumers or dealers.
UNQUOTE

That is so wrong it doesn't even deserve comments!!!!!!!!!!!!

BATF has no information about your handgun; that includes your name, serial number, barrel length, etc. Your firearm is NOT REGISTERED with the BATF.......

I have no idea where that response came from on the FAQ site but it is just incorrect!!!!!!!!

You can change the barrel on your firearm to any legal length you desire.

I have sent an email to Heritage Firearms Company informing them that their FAQ to incorrect............

My dad used to tell me, "Boy, don't ever miss a good chance to shut up." Sadly, I've never been good at minding my old man.

whichfinger Administrator Posts: 481	Cylinder gap Jan 30, 2020 22:23:56 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:23:56 GMT By Ulmus Feb 24, 2013#8 I always thought it sounded odd. I think it's an excuse for them not to sell barrels. (Maybe they're worried about someone putting it on wrong ,loose, and it breaking on them. Fear of a lawsuit?)
	My dad used to tell me, "Boy, don't ever miss a good chance to shut up." Sadly, I've never been good at minding my old man.

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:19:46 GMT

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:20:08 GMT

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:20:42 GMT

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:20:58 GMT

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:22:02 GMT

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:22:40 GMT

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:23:36 GMT

Post by whichfinger on Jan 30, 2020 22:23:56 GMT

Quick Reply