ruger lcr, cylinder shake question

[Revolver Ocelot]

just got a ruger lcr at a gun show yesterday in .38+P, gave it the usual inspection and saw nothing wrong with the gun when I got it, so I either over looked this, or it happened while I was shooting it. After I got back from the gun show the wife and I went to the range, me with my lcr and my wife with her 642-2 and collectively shot a little over 200 rounds, half standard pressure and half +p loads.

The problem came when we were cleaning our new revolvers, I noticed that my revolver will move to the right (not left) enough to where you can see the edge of the cylinder when looking down the barrel, my wife's revolver will not do this. It has alittle less wiggle in this direction when I'm holding the trigger down.

Is this a problem, or should I call ruger?

 

[Coal Dragger]

Unless you notice the forcing cone is taking a beating and shaving bullets, I wouldn't worry too much. Most production revolvers have some rotational play even on lockup. This shouldn't be an issue since the forcing cone funnels the bullet into the barrel and the cylinder can self align a bit on its own.

 

[What Would You Say]

I just checked out my 38 LCR after reading your post on the play in the cylinder. mine has plenty of play to the right in the cylinder just AFTER the trigger is pulled. not much to the left. as I begin to pull the trigger I can see the "bolt drop" which can be seen if you look at the bottom of the cylinder between the cylinder and frame. The bolt actually rises up to lock the cylinder in line with the barrel as the trigger is being pulled. The cylinder rotates to the left as the bolt comes up. On mine, if the trigger is released before being fully pulled (not fired), the bolt stays up keeping the cylinder locked. It does not have the free play to the right that it had before pulling the trigger. All that said, it sounds like our LCR's are operating the same and nothing to worry about. Mine is not a very accurate gun ... with me pulling the trigger anyway.. but its highly effective at the use it was intended. A protective concealed carry gun or beside gun that is a point and shoot and goes bang every time.. simple and easy enough for anyone to know how to use it safely. My wife is an Annie Oakley with it compared to me. more than 25 feet and I'm gonna wing it at the attacker and run instead of shoot it. I would be more accurate. (joking. .. and off subject , sorry). hope this puts your mind at ease on the operation of your LCR.

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

yes that does put me at ease, it's a great shooter for what it's intended use is, I was able to get all my rounds on a 8" target at 21ft with it. The cylinder shake had been my only concern and being it seems to be normal I'll go back to enjoying my new gun

thanks everyone,

-Ocelot

 

[Remllez]

There is some play built into most modern day actions it helps chamber/bore alignment. How hard are you applying lateral force on the cylinder? When the bolt pops into the cylinder notch your LCR is locked up.

If the barrel shank shows no signs of of leading I would feel confident you are good to go. My LCR has similar play in the cylinder but i never considered it excessive, and I've got considerably more rounds through mine.

If it concerns you call Ruger you may have a bad bolt. Many thousands of these guns are out in the world and seem to be working fine.