Cylinder End Play - D.A. revolvers?

[Larryjk]

Don't forget one step in all that measuring. Put empty brass in the chambers; otherwise you will think you have too much endplay. After you put the empty brass in the chambers take a feeler gauge and see which blade will go between end of barrel and front of cylinder. S&W factory specs are about 0.003. That will do just fine for shooting jacketed ammo. For shooting cast bullets, go to anywhere from 0.006 to 0.008. If you don't leave that big a gap, you may start to have cylinder drag before you complete a stage of 50 rounds. That will get your dander up in a hurry. The nicest trigger pull in the world isn't worth a hoot if you have cylinder drag from lead buildup on the face of the cylinder. Keep that stainless brush in your shooting box for instant use.