1 cylinder bore is too tight -- Colt Det.Special

[UnderDawgAl]

I haven't shot my .38 Detective Special since about 1990. Today, as I was shooting, I noticed that one of the cylinder bores seems tighter than the others. A cartridge would have to be pushed in tight to get it all the way in. I ended up shooting 5 rounds per cylinder instead of 6 so that I wouldn't have a cartridge permanently stuck in the cylinder. Any ideas what the problem might be?

 

[HighVelocity]

Hmmm.... How many different brands of ammo did you try? If you only had one brand of ammo it seems like maybe the cases weren't properly sized.
If there was a problem with the gun, wouldn't you have noticed it on 1990?

 

[Larryect]

I am by no means an expert. But, I can share this.

Many years ago - I would guess around 30 yrs. My dad bought a new Colt Python. He noticed one cylider was a bit tighter then the others and would give him trouble using purchased reloads even though it worked fine with "factory new ammo". He called Colt. They said They did not reccomend using reloads and since it worked fine with new ammo it would not be covered by warranty .

I would suspect a gun smith could relieve it a bit. On the Python my dad felt it was safer to keep the hammer down on an empty chamber - so that is what he did. On a more modern gun with a transfer bar, I sure would not want to give up one round.

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt revolvers, including the Army Special, Official Police, and Officers Model target revolvers that the Python is based on and preceeded it have had a rebounding hammer and a second independent hammer block since 1908, and are safe to carry fully loaded. While those revolvers that have transfer bars are also safe to carry in the same manner, the fact is that unlike these Colt's they only have one safety system, not two.

In the case of the Detective Special I suspect the ammunition, and would try some different brands of factory ammunition to see. If the chamber is indeed too tight, Brownells (www,brownells.com) sell a special hone that's designed to polish the chamber.

Or of course you could return the gun to Colt for correction. If the chamber is really undersized they'll fix it.

 

[UnderDawgAl]

Well, I was shooting reloads at the NRA HQ range...

and those reloads are brass of all makes and sizes. As for the question of me not noticing it back in 1990, I had no problems back then, because I would have either checked into it or traded it off. I noticed it today after shooting two or three cylinders. I'll try loading the factory ammo I have here. I'll check out the bore polish, too. Of course, this is my bedside gun, so five in the cylinder is fine for me.

Thanks for the comments, guys.

 

[Old Fuff]

I wasn't clear about the Brownells' tool. It's a lap that literally removes metal, not just a polish. The purpose is to remove tool marks that were left by the chambering reamer. Use it only if you find that the chamber is indeed too tight, or perhaps too rough.

Edited to add: Given that the Detective Special has two independent safety systems that keep the hammer blocked at all times except when the trigger is pulled all of the way back and held while the hammer falls, I see no good reason to not load all 6 chambers after the questionable one is corrected. In an emergency you may need them all.

 

[Standing Wolf]

All six chambers need to be measured.

 

[secamp32]

Maybe its dirty

Did you try giving it a good cleaning?

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

What series of Colt Detective Special are we talk'in 'bout?