ok i just acquired a revolver the previous owner stated Action locks up tight.Ok my question is what is he saying the the cylinder locks so it don't swing out or is the cylinder does not rotate upon inspection i noticed the cylinder locks in and does not move out at all but it has a little rock to cylinder meaning it rotated clockwise and counterclockwise very little but enough if i were keeping it i would have my smith tighten up but i might be more stringent then others on this so it might be safe i know the previous owner shot this revolver

Cock the hammer. Now try rotating the cylinder with your fingers. There will almost certainly be a very small amount of play but that should be OK. I have never seen one with zero play.
Peter.

Get the cylinder to swing down. Then look under the ejector star for crud, machining burrs or possible deformation.

peter it rotates approxamently 1/8 of inch

I am not an expert, but it sounds like a lot. However, having said that, the real proof of the pudding is how it shoots. People tend to obsess about things when the real object of the exercise is to get an accurate shooting gun. get an MTM pistol rest if you don't already have one, and shoot groups at 25 yards. You don't say what make or caliber of revolver you have. That would help to determine approximate accuracy standards.
Peter.

well this is an old colt 1909 da 45 colt the purchase was a mistake induced by alcohol i was bidding on when at my price range and i took exception to the way a bidder bid against me and made a stupid decision to bid once more to get his price a touch higher and ended up buying it.i put it back up for auction and if no one buys it i will have my smith fix.I personaaly have not shot nor plan on shooting it in this condition probally safe

That is not an unusual amount of play for a revolver of that time period and I would questing the thought that it needs repair. If the cylenders do not allign perfectly with the bore then the slight amount of play will allow them to allign as the bullet is entering the bore. I had a Ruger Redhawk that had a lot of play, yet was one of the most accurate revolvers that I have ever owned

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Cock the hammer. Now try rotating the cylinder with your fingers. There will almost certainly be a very small amount of play but that should be OK. I have never seen one with zero play.
Peter.

Peter:

Some revolvers, for example Colt Pythons, are designed to have cylinders rigid at full cock. The hand/pawl exerts pressure on the ratchet while cylinder bolt retards axial movement of cylinder. This, plus choke boring and superior quality control, are the reasons for Pythons' reputation for accuracy.
***
Surprisingly, my SRH .480s and Freedom Arms .475 appear to also lock cylinder against axial rotation at full cock. I have no idea whether this is inherent in designs, standard quality control, or hand fitting.

well thanx jwp and all others when i look down barrel it does look to line up maybe i'm too over cautious for my own good i started checking some of my other revolvers and none are 100% percent rigid although my colt us army 41 cal da don't move much at all barely noticeable and that was made in 1926

Naphtali, my Python is very accurate but I would not call it "zero movement" of the cylinder. Still, I am not going to obsess about it. It does the job.
Peter.

Won't hurt a thing being a little loose. I am a firm believer that too tight with zero motion is harder to get to shoot. I don't care how cylinders are bored, there will be one or two off.

I have been windering about this myself as my Taurus Tracker has a little play it its cylinder also.

The play is the same at full cock as it is not cocked.

If I depress the trigger the play is all but gone.

well re looking at it.Maybe i was too cautous and overstated the cycling although i would like to turn less i'm thinking if no one buys in auction i might keep it the blue book says it's worth 775 in 60% i think it's a little better then 60.SO Who knows might be a nice piece to keep or atleast till i get a better one.Hard to find all proper markings

It's obviously no good, give it to me.......

You can't fault me for trying.......

marco if your serious i'll offer at price i paid but to you only pm if you want interested i think i over paid but according to blue book got steal

TBEAR, thank you for the offer, it's appreciated! I need another handgun like a hole in the head! But, I really do appreciate the offer, sir!