[Oleg Volk]

I have a revolver which seems to have one out of alignment chamber...at least I seem to be hit with debris once per cylinder-full. What's a good way to test this...and if ncessary, how hard would it be to fix?

[critter]

Sure. I once read that a 'sixgun' is just that-'six guns'.

Analysis? First, I'd look CLOSE at the cylinder gap on all chambers. The front of the cylinder MAY not be square with the cylinder axis.

Next, I would use what is called a 'range rod'. That is a rod as near bore size as will fit. Put it down the barrel and see if any of the chamber mouths 'catch' the edges of the rod which would indicate out of time or out of line bore on the cylinder. That could be due to a bad arm on the cylinder star that does the rotating too so you might check that.

You also might try shooting a group with each individual chamber to see how that particular chamber groups compared to the others.

Anyway, good luck on the search for the problem. THEN, fixing it will depend on the cause.

[BigG]

Yes, that is the short answer why the autoloader took the laurels from the revo as the target pistol of choice somewhere around the 1930s. You will see some ultra refined revolvers that have the chambers numbered on the rear so you can load and fire all your string in one chamber. I just load them all and bang away but I'm not world class. Your gun needs work, Oleg, imho.

[Mike Irwin]

"Yes, that is the short answer why the autoloader took the laurels from the revo as the target pistol of choice
somewhere around the 1930s."

Hum...

Seems that someone forgot to tell the preponderance of bullseye shooters that until sometime in the middle 1960s...

[BigG]

I can't help it if I run with a fast crowd. :p

[SDC]

Yep. Mis-aligned chambers can happen with any revolver; even today, bullseye shooters are known to test-fire targets with one group out of only one chamber, so they can see which chamber gives them the tightest groups. As suggested, a "range-rod" will help you see which chamber is "off", and by how much.

[foghornl]

Mr. Volk:

It is certainly possible to have 1 cylinder "out of time". A shooting buddy of mine had one of those cheap RG's in 38Spl that with 2 cylinders threw about as much lead sideways as downrange.

The second time I peeled a sliver of lead out of my face, from standing too close, I told my buddy that either he or that 38 had to go. (I know...I know...Why did it take 2 times? ? well, I'm a bit slow on the uptake every now and then...:o )

Perhaps use of the 'range rod' method others have suggested, and the tming/lockup section of Jim March's revolver checkout document.

This shouldn't be an issue on a modern manufacture revolver, but everybody's QC/QA seems to be slipping a bit lately.

[VictorLouis]

Use some factory ammo, for consistency, or a handload that you personally know is consistent with velocity and standard deviation. Get a clean sheet of large white construction paper for every two chambers. Hold the paper extended alongside your gun as you fire making sure that your hand is a safe distance behind the flash gap. I wouldn't hold it much closer than a foot, or so. The detritus will leave a 'pattern' on the paper. Reverse the sheet for shot #2, and so forth. Check to see if any one or more of the chambers has a notably different pattern which would indicate an alignment issue.

[Tamara]

Does your debris spray happen in both double and single action? Does it happen with both slow and rapid motion of the hammer/trigger?

Timing could be a little "lazy" on one chamber...

[Jim March]

Ya, you can check with either a range rod or the visual method (shine a light in at the back of the cylinder, look down the barrel - UNLOADED!!!!!). Depends on the bore and barrel length how well the visual method works...snub 38s are fine, big-bore out to at least 4" to 5" range.

Note: do this test at "full lockup" as if the gun was being fired! That means cocking it, lowering the hammer with the trigger pulled, then holding the trigger back. That's the "firing state". Again: for GOD'S sake make sure it's unloaded.

The problem may not be the cylinder bores, you may have a partially worn "drive ratchet" at the rear of the cylinder, the little steps that are "pushed" to turn the cylinder. If one or two are worn, the cylinder won't rotate enough for those cylinders. Depending on the gun, that may be the ejector star that's worn, and replacable.

[Oleg Volk]

Paper test got negative results (no junk).
A knowledgeable friend looked at it today, said it was in good shape. Maybe I'll have Tam's smith look at it.

[Zander]

Figure Tam's educated guess is correct. But only an up-close and personal inspection will nail it down...

[twoblink]

Which revolver is it? The lockup might be a little weak or worn on one of the chambers, and so you get a slight hint of play there... Just a thought..

[M58]

Yes, my 6" M657 is that way; I have that charge hole marked and either skip it or position it for the last shot.:barf: