SAA cylinder alinement?

olmontanaboy · April 11, 2009, 02:03 PM

I got a SAA 45 clone (Pietta) It's unfired. in examining it I see that the cylinder indexing if off a little, when I shine a light down the barrel I can see a slight sliver of the cylinder face on one side of each of the six cylinders, maybe 1/32 of an inch at it's thickest. The action cycles fine and it locks up tight upon cocking. I have two spare cylinders that came with the gun and each has the same problem when installed in the gun. the cylinder locking bolt fits in the frame fine and has no play or looseness. I got this used so returning it is not an option. Is this something that can be adjusted?
Thanks

Dfariswheel · April 11, 2009, 06:47 PM

"Eyeballing" cylinder alignment often isn't valid. It's not unusual for there to be an optical illusion that looks like the cylinder isn't aligned.
The only valid test is to have the gun checked with a range rod.

This is a precision sized rod that's inserted down the bore.
If it refuses to enter the chambers, the alignment is off:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...20RANGE%20RODS

If the gun really is out of alignment, a good single action qualified gunsmith can adjust it.
If you're 100% SURE it's out, buy a copy of Jerry Kuhnhausen's book, "The Colt Single Actions: A Shop Manual".
This is a real pistolsmiths book on single action repairs. This will tell you exactly how to check the gun and how to repair it the right way:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=133799

olmontanaboy · April 11, 2009, 08:51 PM

Thanks, I appreciate it.
Jim

April 11, 2009, 02:03 PM	#1
olmontanaboy Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2009 Location: Northeast for now Posts: 266	SAA cylinder alinement? I got a SAA 45 clone (Pietta) It's unfired. in examining it I see that the cylinder indexing if off a little, when I shine a light down the barrel I can see a slight sliver of the cylinder face on one side of each of the six cylinders, maybe 1/32 of an inch at it's thickest. The action cycles fine and it locks up tight upon cocking. I have two spare cylinders that came with the gun and each has the same problem when installed in the gun. the cylinder locking bolt fits in the frame fine and has no play or looseness. I got this used so returning it is not an option. Is this something that can be adjusted? Thanks

April 11, 2009, 06:47 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	"Eyeballing" cylinder alignment often isn't valid. It's not unusual for there to be an optical illusion that looks like the cylinder isn't aligned. The only valid test is to have the gun checked with a range rod. This is a precision sized rod that's inserted down the bore. If it refuses to enter the chambers, the alignment is off: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...20RANGE%20RODS If the gun really is out of alignment, a good single action qualified gunsmith can adjust it. If you're 100% SURE it's out, buy a copy of Jerry Kuhnhausen's book, "The Colt Single Actions: A Shop Manual". This is a real pistolsmiths book on single action repairs. This will tell you exactly how to check the gun and how to repair it the right way: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=133799

April 11, 2009, 08:51 PM	#3
olmontanaboy Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2009 Location: Northeast for now Posts: 266	Thanks, I appreciate it. Jim