Colt 44-40 cylinder problem

[redneck2]

I have a 3rd Gen SAA in 44-40. With some ammo, the cylinder locks up after a few shots, sometimes to the point that it takes a lot to get it rotated. I try to be careful and not force the internals and mess up the timing. Any thoughts on the reason and remedies???

 

[Lone Star]

The .44/40 has had a checkered reputation lo, these many years.

Elmer Keith in, "Sixguns", the BIBLE for basic handgunning, noted that the case blows out full length in Colt chambers, which removes the bottle-neck effect, shortening reloading life. He had better luck loading this round with black powder. Said that it and the .38/40 were unreliable with smokeless ammo.

On the other hand, Mike Venturino, the current gun writer most experienced with arms of this vintage, says that he likes the .44 and has no problems with it.

Might vary with the gun.

I'm with those frontiersmen who stuck with the .45 Colt.

Lone Star

 

[Old Fuff]

What ammunition are you using? A warm load combined with the bottlenecked case might be the cause of your problem. Try some different cartridges, in particular some light-loaded cowboy rounds. If this doesn't work return the revolver to Colt. Replacing the cylinder might be in order.