[Newton]

I had some cylinder binding issues a while back with a new Rossi 4 inch .38 Special I picked up for a song. The gun has since been "fixed" but will still start to bind a little after around 100 continuous rounds. I'm otherwise very happy with its performance.

When the cylinder gets really hot and the forcing cone/cylinder face gets a good coating of combustion by-products it's time for a cool down and a wipe down before the double action trigger becomes workable.

This gun was only really purchased as a plinker, but it does find itself stoked with +P SJHP's fairly regularly, and I'm 100% confident in its ability unless I have a crowd to deal with.

Thing is, how many of you have experienced mild to moderate binding with your wheelguns, and do you find that they will start to bind during prolonged shooting sessions, even when you're not shooting lead which I know is a common cause of binding (but NOT in my case because I very rarely shoot lead solids).

Newton

[ranger7]

I bought my daughter a used Rossi 38 spc snubby as a self defense/home defense gun. (She doesn't CCW as yet.) It seemd to work fine in the beginning. She is very confortable with it and shoots it really well.

We shot a few hundred rounds of lead reloads and noticed some occasional binding of the cylinder. I took the gun back to my home and gave it a very thorough cleaning concentrating on the cylinder and forcing cone. There was lead build up around the forcing cone and the cylinder did not turn as easily as it should even when open. After it was thoroughly cleaned and lubed, there was no more binding.

We stay away from shooting lead now and we're more careful in cleaning. I have mostly semi-autos. I didn't realize wheel guns could be so susceptible to malfunctioning.

Alan

[Newton]

Alan,

It was much the same for me when it came to my perception of revolver reliability. I've had the pleasure of quite a few now and my autos hav proven to be more reliable on the whole which came as a surprise and I'm not just comparing them to cheaper guns like the Rossi.

Newton

[Standing Wolf]

Cylinder binding can be a symptom of other problems rather than a problem in itself. A bent, warped, or loose extractor rod can cause the cylinder to bind, as can dirt under the extractor star, as can weirdities in a Colt revolver's hand, as can...

[Zorro]

Rossi 38 Specials are kind of notorious about this.

The fix is to keep them very clean.

All the Rossi's I have owned would go about 200 rounds before DEMANDING to be cleaned.

[sm]

Assisting with armored car guards, security guards, and CCW students- the cylinder bind occurs.

Usually it is the build up as mentioned from extended shootings. often accelerated by too much lube.

Not that we don't have the mechanical problems, some of these people could destroy a anvil with a rubber mallet. The ladies are better about using lube correctly and brushing with a toothbrush to reduce build -up during extended shootings. Ladies better all around for maintenance and inspection.

[caz223]

I got a super tight custom 627 that does the same thing.
I just live with it.

[Blueduck]

As standing Wolf pointed out it's caused by something, too tight a barrel cylinder gap being another common cause.

Like a weak magspring or bent feed lips it's a mechnical problem to be fixed, not a general trait of revolvers you should be expected to "live with".

[Cal4D4]

My SRH is sensitive to binding due to bits of powder under the ejection star. Tight tolerances I guess. Thought it was due to expansion since metal was too hot to touch. Blow out crap under the star and I'm back in action again. Maybe I should work up a cleaner load.

[HSMITH]

Cut the barrel back for at least a .004" gap, and .006" is even better. It is NOT something to live with.

[Edward429451]

I remember this happening with my dads mdl 29 a few times when I was growing up. Jusy a few flakes of unburnt powder under the star will do it. Its never happened to either of my Rugers.

[kidcoltoutlaw]

try this www.firearmsid.com

[kidcoltoutlaw]

http://www.firearmsid.com/Recalls/Firearm%20Recall%20Index.htm

[Captain Bligh]

I've had the cylinder bind once on my S&W Model 60 after about 150 rounds. I was shooting dirty ammo and the accumulated crud did me in. Now, I shoot cleaner stuff and keep the gun very clean. No more problem.

RJ

[TallPine]

Grind the barrel-cylinder gap out to about 1/2 inch - then you won't have any problems. :D

Seriously, I don't see the big deal unless you carry a dirty gun or get involved in a firefight where you have to shoot 2 or 3 boxes of shells.

And then I've never had any problem with jacketed bullets. Doesn't make much sense comparing reliability of lead bullets through a revolver with jacketed bullets through an auto.

[Jim March]

My J-class 38snubbie can go about 40 rounds before it gets tight. It's a very early Charter Arms Undercover, GREAT little gun, runs a gap around .002".

So it needs a quick wipe. So? The tight gap gets me maximum velocity from a 2", I'd rather have that than the ability to shoot 200 rounds at a stretch. It's not like I'm gonna run 50+ rounds through it in a streetfight!

It's a feature, not a bug :D.

[charleym3]

I had a ruger GP-100 that did that. After the 3rd cylinder full in rapid fire, it started to bind. The was nothing under the extractor and the drag mark was clearly visible on the frame, so I tool a dremel to it and cleaned it up. No more problem.

[Navigator]

I had this problem with a ROSSI .22 cal revolver. I didn't "live with it"--I got rid of that sucker!

[TallPine]

Charley: just gotta ask ...

Where was you GP binding on the frame? Top ... bottom ...?

How come it wouldn't bind before the 3rd cylinder ...?

[hksw]

One time with my Ruger SP101. Ammo related.

[Standing Wolf]

I'm of the opinion that no revolver in reasonably clean condition should ever bind—and certainly wouldn't keep one that did.

[dance varmint]

I had this problem due to cylinder endshake. A .004-inch washer from Brownell's fixed it.

[ranger7]

Obviously, from most of the previous posts, a bind is often caused by something easy and inexpensive to fix. Selling your revolver just because the cylinder had a bind is like selling your car because it had a flat tire.

Alan

[9mmepiphany]

i once had a competition wheelgun put together for PPC shooting. the gap was running around .003 -.004" and it was capable of very consistent accuracy, but it would bind up after about 3-400 rounds.

so i just used to clean the forcing cone and cylinder face between matches (300 rounds)...brushed under the ejector star too...and the thing finished every match. i never thought about opening up the gap...you don't mess with accuracy

[Gerald McDonald]

I never shoot a hundred rounds thru a revolver without cleaning, didnt know anybody did. I have a Rossi and a Security Six that does it and had a Colt Trooper that did it. If you keep the gun clean it shouldnt matter. Of course I started on a black powder revolver, so I had to learn to keep it clean early on.
Gerald

[charleym3]

The point of contact was the cylinder star at the very top of the arc. A little dremel, a little emery cloth and all is good again.
Why 3rd cylinder? Heating due to rabid, er , um rapid fire. When it was cool, no problem. Only when it got hot did it bind.

As for cleaning. I do it as necessary in the field. Thoroughly when I get in for the night.

[9mmepiphany]

my python had a cylinder gap of slightly larger the .004" and it would shoot back to back matches (600 rounds of .38 wadcutters) without cleaning.

i would just run a stainless brush through the chambers and a dry patch through the bore