Cylinder End Play--How to Measure and Other Discussion of

[eddiememphis]

Measure your feelers with a quality micrometer or caliper. I have seen them mismarked several times- off by up to .0015.

 

[aaaaa]

Last week I installed two cylinder shims(.002 & .003) in a Dan Wesson 15-2 revolver to lessen endshake but primarily to see if it would eliminate a light strike issue I had. Shimming did eliminate light strikes and it did open up the B/C gap another .005 making it measure .011. Thankfully, a Dan Wesson b/c gap can be reset back to .006(or anywhere you choose) in a few minutes. I wonder sometimes why more manufacturers don't use the same replaceable barrel system.

Measure your feelers with a quality micrometer or caliper. I have seen them mismarked several times- off by up to .0015.

Or get three different feeler gauge sets and measure with each set to see if they all agree. If they do, probably a correct measurement.

 

[aaaaa]

So I ordered an 8-pack of the S&W K,L,N shims (2 each .002", .003", .004" and .005") from www.Triggershims.com. That site has great selection and a lot of other useful information. They are also only about an hour away from me in Jackson, Michigan. While I was at it I ordered an 8-pack of J-frame yoke shims as they were the closest on their Reference by Size chart to the size I need for the Virginia Dragoon SA.

 

[__steve__]

Yes “trigger shims”, highly recommended

 

[aaaaa]

Yes “trigger shims”, highly recommended

They seem to have the most comprehensive selection and will allow custom selections too.

 

[Riomouse911]

I just got a delivery from Mr Shiveley at Trigger Shims on Thursday.

Now I just need some time to work on my guns.

Stay safe.

 

[aaaaa]

I just got a delivery from Mr Shiveley at Trigger Shims on Thursday.

Now I just need some time to work on my guns.

Stay safe.

Yep, mine arrived yesterday. I have two guns to clean before I can deal with the cylinder shim job.

 

[aaaaa]

Well it took a while. First had to install a garbage disposer, clean two other guns, help move my mother-in-law into a new assisted living. So, that done, I attempted to remove the yoke screw but did not have the right size screw driver. Then I had to endure a 57-hour power and internet outage (the big SE MI ice storm last week). Finally, tonight I found a screw driver that fit near perfect. It was in a tool box I had picked up in someone's garbage at the side of the road a couple years ago, chock full of tools.

Maybe I am colorblind (triggershims.com color codes them) but I thought I put a 0.004 but still had 0.003 end shake. Original end shake was 0.005. So I went to install a second shim, a 0.002 and managed to mangle it. could not find the other 0.002 (pack was 2 each of 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, and 0.005). Turns out I had initially installed a 0.002, which explains why I could not find the second one and why I still had 0.003 of end shake. So I put a 0.003 on top of the 0.002 and it made it so there is no end shake at all. The cylinder turns fine. I put some empty cases and dry fired six with no problems and the crane opens and shuts fine. I am happy with it.

Almost lost the crane screw. These are easy jobs but can become a disaster if you lose a screw or mangle too many shims and have to buy more. The shims are tiny and easy to lose. I think you would not want to sneeze or they might all leave the workbench. It does not help that my eyes are not so good to focus close. One thing that was easy is that my ejector is only finger tight. Found that out when it would not close at the gun shop before I bought it. It is a reverse thread so twisting right loosens it. How would I have known if it had not come loose before.

Can't wait to fire this gun again.