Very tight chambers on a Single Six.

[ontarget]

What is the preferred method of opening up revolver chambers?
I bought a used 1977 era SS combo.
The gun shows typical wear for its age.
The LR cylinder has VERY tight chambers. Someone struggled for 45 years having to force rounds into this gun.
I've tried 6 different brands of ammo and some are better than others but none are acceptable.
According to my pin gauges I need to open them up about 1.5 thousandths.
What would you fine folks suggest?

 

[BBBBill]

...What would you fine folks suggest?

The proper chamber reamer. Available for rent here - 22 LR Cylinder - 4D Reamer Rentals (4drentals.com)

 

[AzShooter1]

I had that problem with my S&W 617. I took a finishing reamer to it and now the problem is solved.

They sure have gotten expensive over the years. I checked Brownell's and their about $150.

Renting one is the better idea.

 

[243winxb]

Or a good scrubbing with a chamber brush first. Then lube with Breakfree CLP, letting sit for a while. Then 1 dry patch thru each chamber. Done. The teflon helps my S&W revolver.

 

[ontarget]

Or a good scrubbing with a chamber brush first. Then lube with Breakfree CLP, letting sit for a while. Then 1 dry patch thru each chamber. Done. The teflon helps my S&W revolver.

The chambers are clean, that was my first thought. When I say tight, I mean TIGHT.
I'm talking painful for the fingertips to force the rounds in.

 

[beag_nut]

Asking for suggestions, I would say call Ruger, for their response. But don't expect too much after such a long time. My Single Ten also has slightly tight chambers, but not enough to correct them. Ideally Ruger would tell you to send in the cylinder.

 

[ontarget]

Asking for suggestions, I would say call Ruger, for their response. But don't expect too much after such a long time. My Single Ten also has slightly tight chambers, but not enough to correct them. Ideally Ruger would tell you to send in the cylinder.

I did consider sending it in. I haven't called Ruger yet because I thought maybe I could just do it at home. If I'm going to have to rent a reamer, I might as well just send it to Ruger and let the pros fix it.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I will say Winchester White Box is definitely on the fat side. It sticks in couple of my .22 match rifles and wont chamber at all in a couple others....Federal and CCI seem to be the most svelte with Remington and Aguila somewhere in the middle.

 

[jdsingleshot]

I will say Winchester White Box is definitely on the fat side. It sticks in couple of my .22 match rifles and wont chamber at all in a couple others....Federal and CCI seem to be the most svelte with Remington and Aguila somewhere in the middle.

Agree. Winchester white box are really tight in my H&R 922. Have to put the cylinder against a hard surface and push hard to get the shells to seat. I will be glad when that box is empty and I won't buy any more of them.

 

[Kp321]

[QUOTE

They sure have gotten expensive over the years. I checked Brownell's and their about $150.

Renting one is the better idea.[/QUOTE]

Brownells has 22 LR Cylinder reamers for $75.00. Important to get a cylinder reamer, not barrel for a revolver.

 

[wiscoaster]

You could try Flitz on a bore mop in a drill before spending the money on a cylinder reamer for just one use.

 

[1KPerDay]

Changing ammo will be easier. Winchester is garbage IME. My Single-Six acts the same way if the chambers aren't very clean OR if I use winchester ammo.

 

[ontarget]

Changing ammo will be easier. Winchester is garbage IME. My Single-Six acts the same way if the chambers aren't very clean OR if I use winchester ammo.

I've tried several different brands. All no good. I was thinking valve lapping compound followed by Mothers or something along those lines.

 

[tominboise]

I have a couple of S&W's that had tight chambers. I bought the reamer from Browells and cleaned them up. Much better. That is what I would do, or have a gunsmith do it. It's not rocket science.

 

[Riomouse911]

I bought flex-hones for my various .22,LR and .22 WMR cylinders that needed help..

http://m.brushresearch.com/product-flexhone-firearms.php

Chucked in a drill press they did a great job opening up the chambers just enough to chamber and eject.

Stay safe.

 

[skfullen]

Don't laugh. I had the same issue with the lr cylinder on a convertible single six. I used a .22 caliber brush wrapped with a couple of bore patches and some toothpaste. Chucked it on a drill and went to town. Messy? Yes. About 30 minutes later the problem was solved.

 

[BBBBill]

I bought flex-hones...

Excellent products.

 

[Frulk]

Send the cylinder in and be done with it. Ruger will make it right. There’s not enough space here for me to list how well their customer service department has treated me over the years for a whole host of issues up to and including replacing barrels at no cost.

 

[chicharrones]

Hard chambering with clean chambers? I'm thinking I'd be using a reamer.

I've polished chambers on Ruger rimfire revolvers, but ammo would chamber pretty well when the cylinder was clean. Not so much after a few cylinders fired.

 

[rangervoss]

A long time ago I had a Single Six that was dry fired a lot. It ever so slightly deformed the cylinder edge making case removal extremely hard. Don't know if that's the problem but worth checking out. Just took a little honing to remove the ridge and it worked fine

 

[ontarget]

A long time ago I had a Single Six that was dry fired a lot. It ever so slightly deformed the cylinder edge making case removal extremely hard. Don't know if that's the problem but worth checking out. Just took a little honing to remove the ridge and it worked fine

Yup, I've seen that happen. I did check for that. I wish it had been the problem

 

[ontarget]

Just ordered a reamer from Brownells.
I figured since I really do accumulate 22 revolvers at an unhealthy pace, I'm sure sooner or later I will need it again.

 

[ontarget]

Reamer came today. I ran to the armory like a kid heading to the ice cream truck!
Reamed the chambers, cleaned them all up with some Hoppes, and Viola! Perfect!
I then went out to my range and put about 100 rounds through it. Federal AM, and Aguila Super. The Feds dropped right in, but the Aguila feels like they have a wax coating or something on them and required the most gentle persuasion.
Very happy, and only $63.00 with shipping.

 

[wiscoaster]

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear it worked out well for you. Happy shooting!!

 

[beag_nut]

So glad that it worked out for you. Brownells is the best.