Cylinder gap on Colt new service

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Last Post 11 May 2021
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sluggo posted this 09 May 2021

Hello: I have been following the post on the Colt new service revolvers. It seems like almost all of them have a cylinder gap of between 7 and 9 thousanth's. I own a new service in 44-40 cal. The cylinder gap is .003. When pushing the cylinder towards the barrel by hand it goes down to.001. Is this normal? I have shot up to around 30 rounds in a session with good accuracy and no binding. Should I have it checked or not worry about it? I really like the Colt and would not want to damage it. Thanks for any help.

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CBA Member

Ed Harris posted this 10 May 2021

You are lucky that you have a tightly built gun to modern smokeless tolerance. It probably has been worked on in the past to snug up a loose gap. As long as the cylinder does not strike the barrel in closing, bind in firing or show more than 0.002" end shake with empty brass in the chambers you are good to go. In the pre-WW1 guns built to black powder tolerances up to 0.010" cylinder gap was considered normal. I've shot Webleys which were as large as 0.015," but with guns that loose you must worry more about a light load not being enough to eject the bullet from the barrel.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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sluggo posted this 10 May 2021

Thank you for your advice. I shoot mild cast loads from the revolver. When I am settled in I can shoot some pretty nice groups with it. I will double check your measurement suggestions and get back on the range with it. Thanks again , mike