Questions About My Used Smith 65

[November]

I bought a used 65-6 this past weekend and noticed a couple of things. I used a feeler gauge for the cylinder/barrel gap, and from one side of the gun the gap measures .008/.009, but from the other side goes .004/.005. What's that about? An uneven forcing cone? Does that adversely affect anything? Also, this gun has a strange break in single action mode. I cock the hammer and the cylinder has no play. Then, I gently press the trigger just until the hammer falls, but not all the way to the frame. If I do this, the cylinder still has no play. However, if I continue and pull the trigger back to the frame like I would under normal conditions, then I feel and here a click and the cylinder then has a little play (normal wiggle). Does anyone know what that click is?

 

[stans]

I bought a used 65-6 this past weekend and noticed a couple of things. I used a feeler gauge for the cylinder/barrel gap, and from one side of the gun the gap measures .008/.009, but from the other side goes .004/.005. What's that about? An uneven forcing cone? Does that adversely affect anything?

One of two things. Either the forcing cone is indeed cut unevenly, a very real possibility with a late model S&W revolver, or the crane is bent, thereby making the cylinder fit crooked in the frame. If the forcing cone is unevenly cut, you will just get more gas and spitting from the side with the larger gap. Filing the gap even will result in the gap being at the maximum acceptable amount.

If the crane is bent, well, the bullets will be entering the barrel at an angle and accuracy can be affected adversely.

Also, this gun has a strange break in single action mode. I cock the hammer and the cylinder has no play. Then, I gently press the trigger just until the hammer falls, but not all the way to the frame. If I do this, the cylinder still has no play. However, if I continue and pull the trigger back to the frame like I would under normal conditions, then I feel and here a click and the cylinder then has a little play (normal wiggle). Does anyone know what that click is?

Got me on this one. Only thing I can think of is there is a problem with the lockwork.

Sounds like this revolver is in need of a good gunsmith or a trip back to S&W.

 

[November]

I think I'll see how this thing performs for a while and then go from there. If it turns out to be unusually accurate (doubtful) I won't change a thing. If it's not, well then maybe I'll send it back. Does S&W have good customer sevice? Any experiences with this? Thanks.

 

[JNewell]

Sent a Model 60 back about a month ago due to a problem in the lockwork. Total time from dropoff at FedEx to receipt in my hands was 8 calendar days. Problem was 100% fixed at no charge.

 

[November]

JNewell,
Eight days is FAST! Did you buy yours new? What did they charge you for the work? Mine's used and I wonder if/how much the charge might be.

 

[JNewell]

Yes, I thought 8 days was fast, too. There was no charge, including for mailing (FedExing) to them -- they sent a mailing label to me. The problem was an *exceptionally* rough DA stroke. I mean really rough, so bad that the lockwork would sometimes actually lock up in a DA stroke. Came back perfect, probably better than you'd ever get out of the box (no mystery why, I guess, but I don't take it for granted that "repaired" things come back better - had a Python that Colt made *worse* once).

Edit to add that although the 60 was a year or two old, I was not the original purchaser. They did not ask for any proof of purchase.

I gotta say that I cannot think how S&W could possibly have given me better service in any respect: quality, turnaround, cost. Would I buy again? You judge.