@ 45 Dragoon Post #16
Goon,
Thanks so much for the info! I have had post-New Year's family company here for a while (ugh) who aren't gun friendly, and so the delay.
I was thinking of PM'ing you about my results, but PM's are limited in size and I'm usually somewhat (!) long-winded, so here goes:
I printed out your excellent instructions and have done the following:
Sanded (320 grit) judiciously both sides of the wedge until the lip of the wedge spring completely shows on the right side of the barrel flat. The wedge now protrudes about 1/32" on the right. The wedge is perpendicular to the barrel as I see it. Pulling back on the cylinder, I barely see daylight between the barrel and the cylinder. Cannot insert a .001" feeler gauge when pulling back on the cylinder or when it is at rest. The cylinder rotates easily and I see no drag marks on the front of the cylinder (I have actuated the action MANY times, also dry-firing against a strip of moosehide). The front of my pistol's arbor slot looks very square with no rounding.
Append: Also found an approx. .002"-.003" "ragged" edge protrusion on the right side of the rear wedge slot on the outside edge of the barrel and needle-filed it even with the slot. It made a considerable difference during the wedge fitting, squaring up the wedge (perpendicular) even though the "wedge" is just that. Hope you understand my verbiage.
I haven't fired the pistol, others have said the wedge will loosen upon actual use of the pistol, and you have stated that the wedge will take the beating (like the synthetic spacer on the recoil spring guide on my 1911 to prevent frame battering, I suppose ?).
I have re-blued (Perma Blue paste) the wedge/spring assembly and soaked it in oil. Upon fitting the wedge in/out & in/out many times since, I see very little wear upon the newly re-blued surfaces.
Unless you see something wrong with my methods/practices, I think I am going to leave it as it is now.
Once again, thank you for your frank expertise (for free!) and knowledge! You da man insofar as I am concerned! I'll try not to bug you anymore as you probably have more important things to do.
Sincerely,
Jim