Stiff cylinder rotation?

[Woodtroll]

Hello, folks! I just recently picked up an almost-new FA .475, and while tinkering with it I noticed that the manual cylinder rotation on half-cock (while loading) has a pronounced stiff spot or drag in it for each cylinder. I'm pretty sure that this is due to the hand/ pawl spring, which is extremely stiff compared to my Rugers. I expect this is supposed to be this way, but just wanted to make sure? The cylinder will slide back and forth a thousandth or so on the base pin, but otherwise locks up tight and is perfect in every way, except for this "drag".

I'd appreciate your input. Many thanks, Regan

[De41mag]

Woodtroll;

Take your screw out from your base pin, and remove your cylinder. On a FA, even after 50 rounds of cast bullets, the lube builds up around the base pin and the center of the cylinder, making rotation stiff. Take a little gun cleaning solvent such as Hoppes #9 or Kroil oil, and clean the pin and the center of the cylinder where the base pin goes through. I bet you'll find the rotation will be a lot smoother after this. The tolerences on these revolvers are so tight that things like this happen.
Let me know if this works for you.

Dennis  

[Woodtroll]

Thanks, Dennis, but that is the first thing I tried. If I try to push the hand/ pawl back into the frame with my finger, the spring is STIFF compared to my Blackhawks; it is the strength of the spring as it crosses the cylinder ratchet that makes the stiff spots. A little graphite grease in this area helped a lot. The spring is stiff enough that it pushes the whole cylinder forward almost against the forcing cone/ barrel; I can pull the cylinder back against the spring a thousandth or so.

This is my first FA, and nobody I know has one, so I don't have anything to compare it to.

Thanks for your help! Regan

[TScottO]

Are you referring to stiff spots or stiff area between each cylinder? It is not easy to turn a FA cylinder when compared to a Ruger.

The cylinder rotation on my guns is very stiff. The first ¼ travel between one cylinder to the next will be smooth and free. The next ½ travel or so will be real stiff but it will be smooth, no metal grinding or binding. The last ¼ turn will be like the first.

If you cock the gun real slow you may notice the cylinder free up and start to rotate and then meet the spring tension and roll backwards just a hair. This is the same stiffness you are experiencing with the gun in half cock.

It wouldn’t hurt for you to call FA and tell them what you see. I don't think you have a problem but talking to them can be educational.

Take Care,
Scott

[Woodtroll]

Thanks, Scott! What you are describing is exactly what I'm seeing. I figured it was normal, but wanted to make sure. I appreciate your continued help.

Take care, Regan