Just obtained a hoslter-worn S&W Model 15 .38 Special, and when the trigger is back and the hammer down, there's still some play in the cylinder. What's the standard fix? A new locking bolt with wider surface?

If you don't get an answer here, try smith-wessonforum.com. You will probably get a lot of help there.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Just obtained a hoslter-worn S&W Model 15 .38 Special, and when the trigger is back and the hammer down, there's still some play in the cylinder. What's the standard fix? A new locking bolt with wider surface?

Depends on how much play we're talking about and where the play is. The only mechanical difference between trigger back and trigger forward is the contact of the hand on the cylinder. The cylinder bolt is completely free of the trigger in both scenarios and so that play should be no different in either case.

In general, I would look at the fit of the bolt in it's slot, the fit of the bolt in the cylinders notch and the hand in it's window. You might also check the amount of lateral endshake and excess play in the cylinder crane. You might also look at the play in the cylinder latch.

Fitting an oversized hand and bolt could help, but you need to check all areas where play is present and narrow the cause to the key components.

As stated earlier the real question is How Loose?. If it is accurate and dosen't shave lead, enjoy. You need some clearence for the bolt to reliably drop into all the slots.
Good luck!

Send it to the good folks at Cylinder & Slide if you decide you don't want to mess with it yourself.

http://www.cylinder-slide.com/

Just give him whisky.