gap between forcing cone & cylinder

M

milspec45

Inactive
I have a an older Smith mdl 37 Airweight. It seems to be in very good shape and shoots well. The gap between the forcing cone and the cylinder is .010, however, and I'd like to know about the process of getting it closer to .003 or .004. Can I do it myself? If so, how? Or is this something for a gunsmith? If so, how much can I expect to pay to have it done (roughly). Is it worth the trouble?

Thanks for you help and suggestions,

Chuck
 
How does the gun shoot? If it does good, leave it alone.

If not, especially if it spits lead your problem is NOT the B/C gap; it is the timing of the revolver.

If you want to close that gap, first make sure you are measuring it properly--clear the arm, and measure the B/C gap with the revolver at full cock.

The proper fix would be to re-install another barrel, with the back of the barrel properly faced and forcing cone properly cut.
 
Thanks Powderman,

I've shot less that 50 rnds so far but all went very well. I checked the timing (per sticky revolver thread) and it was good also. I've not heard of measuring the gap with the hammer cocked? I'll give that a try.

I had a feeling it had something to do with the barrel.

Thanks again,

Chuck
 
That gap is toward the outer edge, but not to the point of worry or concern, and IIRC is within S&W specs. Changing it is not, repeat NOT, a DIY project, and having someone do it will be costly.

FWIW, and realizing that it might not count for a seldom-used defense gun, .003" is too small a gap. If fired very much, the cylinder will heat and expand lengthwise and lock up. A gap of .006-.007" is IMHO about ideal.

Jim
 
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