How does one "tighten up" a revolver?

[fireside44]

As in tightening the lock up. I know it's gunsmith territory but I'm still interested in how it's done, assuming it's possible.

I have an older Rossi that has served me well, is very accurate, has a great trigger, and is my favorite handgun but the lock up is a bit sloppy. I would really like to have this done up right just because I enjoy this gun so much.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

As for me, I am new here.

 

[Erich]

Your diagnosis of the problem is a bit vague. Addressing this would probably involve disassembly of the action, thorough cleaning, and then slight adjustments to the cylinder bolt and the hand. I'm envisioning hammers . . .

This is not the best medium to convey such information - when you take your gun to the 'smith, have him show you the parts he's going to alter and give you a quick rundown on how he'll do it. You'll say, "Oh! That makes sense."

 

[fireside44]

Can anyone recommend a good pistol smith in the Tampa Bay area?

Your diagnosis of the problem is a bit vague. Addressing this would probably involve disassembly of the action, thorough cleaning, and then slight adjustments to the cylinder bolt and the hand.

I'm saying the cylinder has play in it at full lock up. Not much forward and backwards slop, just more like the cylinder not locking up as tightly as it could.

 

[Jim Watson]

You mean it wiggles in rotation? That is what most people mean by "play" in a revolver.
The fix is an oversize cylinder stop. If anybody makes them for Rossi, I would be surprised. A new standard one might help, but the wear is probably in the cylinder notches and it wouldn't do a lot of good.

You might ask at Gun Craft in Ruskin
Gun Craft Inc is located at 2403 21st Ave SE Ruskin, FL. Phone: 813-645-3828.

Or Dick DiVittorio in Orlando.
http://www.orlandogunsmith.com/

I predict you will be horrified by the cost of repairs to a cheap revolver.

 

[fireside44]

You mean it wiggles in rotation? That is what most people mean by "play" in a revolver.

Yes. Thank you sir, that is exactly what I meant. It wiggles in rotation. Not enough to shave lead or anything, but I would like it to be right and tight.

The fix is an oversize cylinder stop. If anybody makes them for Rossi, I would be surprised. A new standard one might help, but the wear is probably in the cylinder notches and it wouldn't do a lot of good.

The gun just wasn't that tight from the get go. I got it in almost unused condition. I am told it's pretty much a Smith copy of some sort or another so I'm wondering if there ain't a fix for it.

I'd really like to have it corrected because I really enjoy the gun. I know, it's a Rossi, and nobody likes Rossi stuff cause they think it's junk or whatever. But it's a great shooter, was affordable, and has served me well.

I just don't know of any good smiths in the Tampa Florida area that do this kind of work.

 

[MrBorland]

It wiggles in rotation. Not enough to shave lead or anything, but I would like it to be right and tight.

The gun just wasn't that tight from the get go. I got it in almost unused condition. I am told it's pretty much a Smith copy of some sort or another so I'm wondering if there ain't a fix for it.

Others ought to chime in, but while Colts were designed to function with bank vault tight lockup, S&Ws weren't. IOW, a little rotation at full lockup is normal and how they were designed to work. If your Rossi is a S&W clone, was like this when LNIB, and doesn't shave lead or give any functional indication that it's got timing issues, I'm not sure it needs fixing.

 

[fireside44]

Others ought to chime in, but while Colts were designed to function with bank vault tight lockup, S&Ws weren't.

I guess I learn something new everyday. I have an S&W model 10 in 95%+ condition and was going to mention that it's lock up isn't a great deal better, but it is also an accurate shooter.

f your Rossi is a S&W clone, was like this when LNIB, and doesn't shave lead or give any functional indication that it's got timing issues, I'm not sure it needs fixing.

So you are saying it probably will never become an issue if it's not already? I guess that would make me feel better about the whole thing. I guess it's just a question of "how much is too much" and I'm not qualified to answer that in any way.

All I know is a got a good shooting revolver with an awesome trigger and good grips on it for $350. I've enjoyed it so much I plan on getting another one when I come across one. I just didn't want to overlook any potential issues on this gun and so I figured I'd ask.

Thanks for all the replies though. I'll be sure and read any more that are given.

 

[MrBorland]

So you are saying it probably will never become an issue if it's not already? I guess that would make me feel better about the whole thing.

Just that it may not currently be out of time. While not all revolvers eventually go out of time, I can't imagine that any are absolutely guaranteed to never go out of time, though.

I guess it's just a question of "how much is too much" and I'm not qualified to answer that in any way.

Check out the Revolver Checkout sticky at the top of this revolver forum. Lots of good info there:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430

All I know is a got a good shooting revolver with an awesome trigger and good grips on it for $350.

Sounds like a shooter to me. Enjoy!

 

[gym]

I wouldn't fool with it, they are what they are, it will end up costing you too much in time and money, for a real good end result.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If your Rossi is a S&W clone, was like this when LNIB, and doesn't shave lead or give any functional indication that it's got timing issues, I'm not sure it needs fixing.

Absolutely. The best rule is, "ask the gun." If it's shooting well, not shaving or spitting lead, leave it alone.

 

[greenlion]

Jerry Miculek's video on S&W trigger jobs has a ton of good info on it and is worth the money if you can find it.

 

[bluetopper]

Send it back to Rossi Firearms and keep us posted as to what happens.