shanep0017
Member
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Forcing cone erosion?
- Thread starter shanep0017
- Start date
The photo is not good enough for an accurate judgement. What I seem to see is a lot of conservative oil, inside and outside the forcing cone, oil that alters the view of the outer surface of the forcing cone. However, it appears that the inner edge of the forcing cone is intact, nice and square 90° edge. But, I repeat, the photo quality is poor.
vanfunk
Member
Depending on how cooperative the seller is, you might want to ask him/her to take a toothbrush and a little solvent to it and re-take the picture. I agree it’s hard to tell. However, examples of forcing cone erosion I have seen look more like coarse sandblasting that this, which to my eye looks more like an example of lead/carbon buildup and lackluster cleaning.
bangswitch
Member
The inner edge of the cone looks fairly sharp and even, I think it's probably okay, but a better picture would be nice. It may have some lead fouling that would be more easily seen as such with a clearer and closer photo. I see no flame cutting under the top strap to indicate a lot of rounds through the gun. What is the gun, and how is the rest of the finish? Does the recoil shield have case head imprints, is there bluing wear on the muzzle or cylinder edges, indicating a lot of holster carry time, is the lockup tight and cylinder end shake absent or very minimal, is the trigger break in SA very crisp with no push-off, is the DA pull nice and smooth with no catching or binding?
shanep0017
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Thank you all! I thought I'd try to answer everyone in one go. I thought the same thing, we need better photos. I'll ask the seller if they can get me some better pictures.
The inside don't look bad but the picture makes it really hard to tell.
It's a Smith model 60, there is some wear on the finish some light surface scratches but looks good otherwise, its stainless. I don't see case head imprints but a couple dark spots on the shield. The other stuff I can't answer since it's online.
The inside don't look bad but the picture makes it really hard to tell.
It's a Smith model 60, there is some wear on the finish some light surface scratches but looks good otherwise, its stainless. I don't see case head imprints but a couple dark spots on the shield. The other stuff I can't answer since it's online.
Col. Harrumph
Member
It looks dirty and leaded but agreed, pix are not clear.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
Ask the seller to clean it up then photograph it with a light shining through the bore from the muzzle.
I have never understood why people don’t clean a gun up to sell it.
shanep0017
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Yeah I think I'll send them a message. I'm definitely interested in it but the last thing I need is another problem gun.
bangswitch
Member
It sure could use a good scrubbing around the forcing cone and under the top strap. I'd never have guessed it was a stainless steel gun.
Old_Grouch
Member
It appears dirty and leaded to me. You didn't say what caliber the gun is. If its a .357 magnum with A LOT of jacketed magnum ammo through it; "maybe". If it's a .38 Spl I can with confidence say, even without seeing it in person or seeing pictures of a cleaned gun, no, it's not eroded.
If it is a .357 Model 60 and someone put enough magnum ammo through it to erode the forcing cone I'm in awe. That's one tough hombre!
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J-Bar
Member
For comparison: a mid-1990s Model 60 with what I describe as routine (not getting ready to sell it) cleaning, fed a steady diet of home cast lead ammo. I tried to get a light up the bore but without 3 or 4 hands it's challenging!
243winxb
Member
Looks ok. There is a lot of thickness left. A forcing cone is .020" larger then bullet diameter.
I have seen a S&W M29 44 mag with almost a knives edge on the barrel face. Was still accurate.
My 29 barrel was set back and recut, still looks bad, but shoots ok.
I have seen a S&W M29 44 mag with almost a knives edge on the barrel face. Was still accurate.
My 29 barrel was set back and recut, still looks bad, but shoots ok.
fxvr5
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Don't know where or how you got that number. The measurements in the article below show that forcing cone thickness varies with different guns.
An NRA Shooting Sports Journal | How To Avoid Revolver Forcing Cone Failure
With a revolver, the forcing cone is one place highly susceptible to breakage. These tips will help you avoid this undesirable situation.
tightgroup tiger
Member
That's my GP100 forcing cone, if I fuzzed up the pic I would have a hard time seeing the condition of the face on the forcing cone.I took this picture with my cell phone. There is no reason the seller can't do the same.
bangswitch
Member
M60 is a 5-shot J frame .38 Spl, the stainless version of the M36 Chief's Special.
I think the FC is just fine.
If it's a .38Spl only Model 60 there are good chances the forcing cone is not eroded but only dirty, leaded and heavy oiled.
Old_Grouch
Member
The Model 60 has been available in .357 Magnum since the 90s.
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243winxb
Member
Forcing cone reamer kit Brownells instructions. The .020" is bullet clearance, not thickness.
Yes, barrels do crack.
Had a early model Colt 357 mag Trooper, crack. A maximum load with 125 gr jacketed bullet cracked the forcing cone.
1970s Colts have very soft metal & parts are surface hardened. The cheap method, less machining time.
Shooting rapid fire on a 90 degree day. The heat made the throat look like charcoal. The crack run up the throat about 3/8"
fxvr5
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Sorry for my misunderstanding.shanep0017
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It is a 357 model 60, everything else looks good on it. I'm hoping the seller will send more pics. I'll probably just skip it at this point, it's not exactly what I was looking for anyway but if I can get a good deal on it I might take it.
bangswitch
Member
Shows how much I keep up past the early 80's. Thanks for the correction.
