GP 100 Shells loose in Cylinder

D

dhottinger

Inactive
I inherited a Ruger GP 100, stainless steel model with 6 " barrel. I dont think its been shot much. However, the shells are extremely loose in the cylinder. They actually rattle around. Plus the cyclinder is loose also. It rattles if you shake the pistol. This doesnt seem normal, but I cant think of any way this could have happened because of high usage. Pistol is otherwise in good shape. Is it normal for stainless revolvers to have loose cylinder holes?
 
What's 'loose'?

Do the cartridges fall out when unfired (without using the extractor star?) That's normal.

Do the cartridges fall out even after being fired (without using the extractor star?) That's bizarre.

Is the 'play' in the cylinder forwards-and-backwards or is it side-to-side? How much? A few thousandths or a couple of hundredths of inches? If it is enough in your judgement to mis-align the firing cylinder then get it looked at asap.

In general, better safe than sorry, but guns do have some wiggle room built into them. They do expand and contract from the heat of a magnum round. Guns built too tightly will be very accurate for one or two shots, then seize up.
 
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<Do the cartridges fall out when unfired (without using the extractor star?) That's normal.>
Yes the shells do fall out before firing.

<Do the cartridges fall out even after being fired (without using the extractor star?) That's bizarre.>
They will come out if I swing the cylinder and tip the gun, I dont have to use the extrator.

<Is the 'play' in the cylinder forwards-and-backwards or is it side-to-side? How much? A few thousandths or a couple of hundredths of inches? If it is enough in your judgement to mis-align the firing cylinder then get it looked at asap. >
There is some play side to side and forwards and backwards. How do I measure this? Sounds like this may be normal, although I have some experience with revolvers (S&W) but not stainless and not ruger, I dont think I have noticed this before. Im more a rifle and shotgun person. It maybe the transfer bar rattling. Can I tighten this up?

ddh
 
An honest gunsmith will give it a look-over and a recommendation whether it needs work or not for free.

I find it strange that it extracts just by means of gravity with expanded cartridges that have already fired. None of my revolvers do that, even the low-powered .22 with cheap bulk ammo.

If there is visible horizontal play in the cylinder I would have a gunsmith look at it. front-to-back shouldn't be as big of a deal, they are supposed to have a moveable gap between the cylinder and forcing cone.
 
It really doesn't sound normal, Why not spent a couple of bucks and have a gunsmith check it out.
 
All revolvers allow unfired cartridges to rattle in the chambers.

An old timer trick to check for a loaded revolver was to give it a shake and listen for the rattling of the live rounds.

MOST modern revolvers will have some odd rattles from the action.

In S&W revolvers it's the safety bar rattling.
A dab of grease on the side plate where the bar slides usually stops it.

In Ruger, Taurus, and Dan Wesson revolvers it's the transfer bar rattling, and this is entirely normal.

You cannot stop the transfer bar from rattling, attempting to do so will ruin the part and make the revolver UNSAFE.

In addition, many Ruger revolvers have a non-rotating ejector rod.
This is notorious for rattling, and often gets questioned by new Ruger owners.

ALL modern revolvers, with the sole exception of the Colt Python and older Colt's of the same action type, WILL have cylinders that have some side to side play.

This too is completely normal, and is necessary for the gun to work properly.

In short, it sounds like you have a new revolver, and you're not used to hearing odd rattling sounds coming from it.
 
thanks,

Thanks,
I didnt think it looked like there was much use, judging by the appearance of the revolver and knowing the previous owner like I did. :) I'll run it in to the gunsmith and have him take a look over just to be sure. As always I appreciate the advise and guidance.

ddh
 
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