FA Cylinder-Frame Clearance

[Glanceblamm]

A friends neighboor purchased a FA in the .45 colt
Complaints are too tight of a clearance between the cylinder & frame that causes the case rims to hang up.

Is this an exception? Dont believe I have ever seen this problem mentioned here nor have I had the chance to look at the gun.

[300 Loudnboomer]

Figure out the problem with a gun were the person asking the question hasn't even seen the gun ?
Reloads were the primers aren't seated all the way in pocket ?

[TScottO]

Sounds to me like the cylinder is dirty. You didn't mention if he has shot the gun or not. In my guns bullet lube will build up after a while and make other rounds hard to chaimber. If the gun is clean and unfired I would think there is an ammo problem. These guns need to be kept clean more so than other brand guns.

Be Safe,
Scott

[ktw]

You could offer to trade him straight up for a 45 colt blackhawk.  You could explain to him that FAs are notoriously defective in this regard, while ruger seems to have solved that problem years ago.  ;-)

I've expereinced the problem with the acp cylinder in an FA when shooting a lot of Unique - have to push some of them in hard with your thumb after a while.   I haven't seen it with the the 45 colt cylinder.

[Lloyd Smale]

if its a 97 theres a chance that the bullet is to long for the gun and not allowing the cartridge to fully chamber. those 97 need a short bullet.

[oso45-70]

glanceblamm,
I'm not sure what the mans problem is but i would bet that its not the guns fault. FA makes the very best revolvers when it comes to tight fit and cloase tolerences, My 454 casull is tighter than a bore chinchs arse.
The man has done some thing that is not according to standard. If in fact he is useing hand loads they are either too long or his primers are not seated or something. I would bet its not the gun. Good luck and stay safe.
....Joe...............

[Glanceblamm]

300Loudnboomer
No, I didn't see the gun yet. Might be a couple weeks so I did the next best thing. Had G/B send you to me :grin:
I did think of those primers on the reloads. Was told no. Dont know much about the FA except for the close clearances and the price tag!
Thought may be some polishing or base pin replacement might be in order.

TScotto & Ktw
Sounds very possible! Especially considering the way my own .45 fouls things up using even the new Unique.
KTW-Excellent idea! I even have the ruger. Not much time to load for & get used to the FA before season though. Will probably advise the slob to "clean your gun slob". After all, this is what friends are for.

Lloyd & Joe
Thanks for summing this up. That bullet in the throat does sound like it could be just a bit sticky which would cause alot of headache. Also brings a poor crimp and growing bullets upon recoil to mind.

Have plenty to pass on now. These two guys should be able to get it straightened out out so that I can shoot it :lol:
THANKS

[Zeus]

oooh weee, don't touch the base pin please!!! Just the thought of someone messing with any part of my FA makes me cringe.  I would go probably (without seeing the gun) go with the same thoughts as Lloyd.  Make sure that the cylinder is very clean but tell your friend to be wary of using anything like Flitz, etc on the throat area of the cylinder.  I was once told that FA has gotten cylinders back for service that had "egg" shaped throats because of continuous use of an abrasive and rubbing.  I leave the black rings alone, it shows that the gun is used and not just admired.  Now, go and get you a couple and go shoot with your buddy.  GS

[craiginok]

In my fa97 if you load anything larger than .452(i mean even a little) the bullet sticks in the front of the cylinder and the base of the case rubs the frame in the back(won't hardly turn) Have your friend felt tip mark the bullet right in front of the case and push it in the cylinder hard,take it out and look at the front edge of the driving band for marks.