Colt "Last Ditch" Agent

JED1177 · September 4, 2007, 08:13 PM

I have one of the Agents with the dull finish produced in the strike days. Although I have more than a few carry pieces to pick from, the Agent is my choice.

No fear of scratching the finish, never rusts (don't know why, part of it is steel) shoots to the point of aim etc. Just an excellent gun.

My question is this, I have read at length abour cylinder endshake. I got out the feeler gauges and with the cylinder "at rest" (not cocked and the trigger held back) it measures .008 with the cylinder pulled to the rear and .002 with the cylinder pushed all the way forward.

Is this to excessive?
Does anyone know for sure what the specs should be?

James K · September 4, 2007, 09:12 PM

I assume you are talking about the barrel/cylinder gap. I don't know what Colt's spec is/was, but the ideal is about .006"-.007". I would not worry about .008", or about the amount of endshake you mention.

Folks make a bit too much of endshake. It has to be pretty bad before other problems (lead shaving, misfires) result. Like any mechanical device, the parts need room to move; in addition, if the b/c gap is too small, firing a dozen rounds will heat the cylinder enough that it will bind and not turn. That is a fairly common happening in cowboy action shooting where folks with closely fitted revolvers have had binding from heat and/or powder residue.

Jim

Dfariswheel · September 5, 2007, 12:11 AM

Answered in his other post.

Colt factory spec is .003" max for end shake.

Harry Bonar · September 17, 2007, 08:32 PM

Sir:
Yes, the specs are tight but my experience with Colt revolvers is about like yours - I'm not impressed with Colt revolvers but I'd not worry about it - it's about par for Colt revolvers. I mean no insult or offense.
Harry B.

September 4, 2007, 08:13 PM	#1
JED1177 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2006 Posts: 238	Colt "Last Ditch" Agent I have one of the Agents with the dull finish produced in the strike days. Although I have more than a few carry pieces to pick from, the Agent is my choice. No fear of scratching the finish, never rusts (don't know why, part of it is steel) shoots to the point of aim etc. Just an excellent gun. My question is this, I have read at length abour cylinder endshake. I got out the feeler gauges and with the cylinder "at rest" (not cocked and the trigger held back) it measures .008 with the cylinder pulled to the rear and .002 with the cylinder pushed all the way forward. Is this to excessive? Does anyone know for sure what the specs should be?

September 17, 2007, 08:32 PM	#4
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	Colt Sir: Yes, the specs are tight but my experience with Colt revolvers is about like yours - I'm not impressed with Colt revolvers but I'd not worry about it - it's about par for Colt revolvers. I mean no insult or offense. Harry B.

September 4, 2007, 09:12 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I assume you are talking about the barrel/cylinder gap. I don't know what Colt's spec is/was, but the ideal is about .006"-.007". I would not worry about .008", or about the amount of endshake you mention. Folks make a bit too much of endshake. It has to be pretty bad before other problems (lead shaving, misfires) result. Like any mechanical device, the parts need room to move; in addition, if the b/c gap is too small, firing a dozen rounds will heat the cylinder enough that it will bind and not turn. That is a fairly common happening in cowboy action shooting where folks with closely fitted revolvers have had binding from heat and/or powder residue. Jim

September 5, 2007, 12:11 AM	#3
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,562	Answered in his other post. Colt factory spec is .003" max for end shake.