Model 64-3 k frame, timing and end-shake?

[jimbombo]

Hello all.
I just recently acquired a model 64-3... when I bought it I knew about the end shake and cylinder was binding when opening the cylinder.
I checked out the cylinder binding issue yesterday, it was hanging up by the ejector rod (of course I gave it a thorough cleaning before I did anything). I took the cylinder apart and slowly removed material from the extractor rod collar on the non flared end. Finally got it where I wanted it and now it opens nicely. I read several posts and this apparently is a known issue, and it seems like this was a viable fix, hopefully I did ok here??
Next question is the revolver has some end shake ( not real bad) but also I didn't notice till I got the gun home it is out of time on a couple of cylinders. What is the recommended way of fixing timing issues? Would I want to replace the hand? Or can I modify the current hand? Also I just read that excessive end shake can lead to timing issues, should I get the end shake fixed as well....again the end shake did not look real bad, but it was there! Also the gap appears to change as the hammer is cocked, will correcting end shake fix this problem as well? Also any opinions on how to correct end shake either shims or a crane stretcher? Or would it be easier to buy a used crane and see if that fixes the end shake? (Assuming that the crane is not hand fitted)

Sorry about lumping all questions together....
Thanks. Jim.

 

[BBBBill]

All of those parts are hand fitted to each individual gun. There's too much to try to explain in a post and the correct jig for correcting timing is expensive. You need to hold up until you can get educated or you're going to turn that into scrap. Get the Kuhnhausen S&W manual and study it well before proceeding. You may decide that it makes more sense to send it to a qualified S&W smith than to try it yourself.

 

[jimbombo]

Thx. Bill. Your advice is appreciated. Guess I will call some local smith's monday and start getting pricing...
Should I look for someone certified from S&W???

 

[jimbombo]

Bill. On the other hand I think I may get the book and go from there...I have 2 smith revos right now and plan on more...as with home repair, I have learned that if you want something done right, do it yourself!! I feel pretty comfortable doing some basic mechanical stuff...if I think it is above me, I will send it out...in no rush with this gun, when I bought it it came with holsters, grips, and speedloaders, that I already have on ebay, after I sell all the stuff that came with the revolver it should be mostly paid for!!!! Also thinking of putting a high polish on it and making it real pretty! But first the mechanical stuff!!!!

 

[john323]

I have a set price for repairing a firearm......Double that if he has fixed it before.

 

[Kp321]

I prefer to use end shake shims over stretching the crane. Don't do anything about the timing till the end shake is cured, the timing might be good then too.

 

[Spade5]

I thought S&W would fix it.

 

[BBBBill]

Worth a call to find out.

 

[Old Fuff]

Smith & Wesson very likely can fix it, but if you have tried to fix it first don’t expect them to do it under warrantee.

Rule of thumb: If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t do it! If you think you must, get and read a shop manual first.

Fixing a fix can sometimes prove to be very expensive.

 

[Jim K]

FWIW, not all gunsmiths are revolver smiths. I know guys I would trust implicitly to sporterize a Mauser, bed an action, or install a shotgun barrel, but would never let them get their hands on my revolver or auto pistol.

Jim

 

[jimbombo]

As far as I can tell no one screwed with the gun. The sideplate may have been removed, but I don't think they touched anything! It was dirty as hell in there. And no I didn't touch any of the internals I just wiped down the sideplate a bit. The gun was dated to 1985, you guys telling me that the end-shake and timing may be covered under warranty??

 

[jimbombo]

kp

It makes complete sense that addressing the end shake may fix the timing issue. I am ordering the s&w shop manual, I won't touch anything till I get the manual or take it to the Smith to check it out. Thanks for the info on shims, it seems like a much easier fix than stretching!!
But again I will touch nothing till I get the manual, read, and if I still don't feel comfortable, off to the smith!

 

[MartinS]

Have you measured the end shake? Find the specs and get out the feeler gauges. Don't remove anymore metal.

 

[Old Fuff]

When you return a gun to Smith & Wesson they usually don't fix whatever you complained about. Instead they make a full inspection (including disassembly if necessary) to determine any and all problems that may exist. Then they either fix them all under warrantee, or contact you to explain what they’ve found and under what circumstances they’ll make corrections. Understand that they’ll fix their mistakes under warrantee, but not those made by someone else, or those caused by normal use.

If you instruct them to proceed, or they do so on they’re own, you should get the gun back in “fully up to specification” condition. Otherwise they’ll return it in the same condition it was received.

Also these days they are pretty busy, so don't expect a quick turn-around. Be assured they'll get to it as quickly as they can.

 

[DeMilled]

Here is quick video from Harry Potterfield about end shake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JII__KNLYY0