Cylinder freeplay

[tstr]

I recently purchase a Ruger Redhawk .44Mag. When I got it there the cylinder was tight and wouldn't roll even a little bit with the hammer back.

Now, after firing about 150 rounds through the thing, the cylinder is slightly loose and I can roll it a bit.

Is that normal? And how much free-play should I allow before I worry about it?

tstr

 

[George Stringer]

Tstr, some will probably disagree but I wouldn't be concerned unless it was spitting lead or accuracy suffered. George

 

[Mike Irwin]

Absolutely normal.

George's assessment is correct. Unless it's spitting lead out the sides, or is not locking up properly, this isn't a problem.

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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.

 

[Badger Arms]

Were it to continually lock up super-tight, I'd be worried. A little looseness is fine. The Blackhawk has a very long service life before the cylinder would ever become too loose. I'd not say the same thing about other revolvers, though. The chamber-to-chamber differences in accuracy are more than the accuracy loss due to side-to-side movement.