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Colt Python case swelling? What is the fix?

Frenchie0001
I purchased a colt python from a memeber of gun broker and I am as happy as I can be. I do have one question I need some help with, the what seems to be common problem of, cases swelling in the cylinder after firing. I know there has to be a fix for this issue but I am reluctant to just drop it off at a shop without first having some knowledge on the resolution first.
I would appreciate any information that can be shared regarding this issue.
Thanks
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Mr__Colorado
    Case swelling is a result of hot ammo (too much pressure) or brass that's too soft. Has nothing to do with your gun
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  • Frenchie0001
    Thank You Mr. Colorado
    I have shot only a couple boxes throught it since I purchased it and the ammo was winchester ammo maybe I need to look for a more suitable brand.
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  • Biped
    I had a problem with a Ruger Sp101 in .327 Fed Magnum where empties of three different bullet weights were sticking. I sent it back to Ruger and they changed out the cylinder. If I kept the cylinders squeekie clean the revolver would extract okay but it was a new piece and I felt Ruger needed to fix it.
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  • perry shooter
    Remove cylinder and polish the chamber with J.B. Bore cleaner tight patch In and out direction only

    EDITHello Frenchie Your Bore brush is Just that Bore not cylinder . The cylinder is larger and needs a bigger brush to remove carbon. Also the finish on the chambers may be slightly ROUGH and needs to be polished when the cartridge goes off the case expands and imprints itself on the cylinder walls then contracts but not enough to slide out of the cylinder on a rough/dirty carbon fouled cylinder wall.
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  • wpage
    Have a similar issue with my 44 mag. Best to wait a bit for the brass to cool a little. As the brass case cools it contracts and therefor extracts easier.
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  • 5mmgunguy
    Frenchie,

    Winchester ammo is good ammo. If you are firing factory ammo the extracted cases will show some size change toward the head of the case. The real question is, are the cases sticking so that extraction from the cylinder is difficult? All fired cases will show some expansion, they just shouldn't stick in the chamber or cylinder.
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  • cussedemgun
    Frenchie,

    If it were mine, I would;

    Mark the cylinder to determine which chamber/chambers are causing the problem. Fire normally but extract individually with a pencil.

    If one or two holes are the main problem, you have a dirty, corroded, or fowled chamber.

    If the problem is all holes or intermitently moves from hole to hole, look for a leaded or fowled bore. Also inspect the forcing cone closely for pitting or roughness.

    Hope this helps, Jim
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  • 5mmgunguy
    If the cases are sticking, Frenchie never said they were, just that they were swelling; it could be as simple as the original owner shooting lead 38 Specials in the 357 chambers and then not properly cleaning the chambers.
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  • Frenchie0001
    First Thank You all for your knowledge and responses.
    Yes the cases are sticking and I have cleaned the gun very percisely after each time out shooting. I am certain that cleaning isn't an issue. As someone stated the cases are swelling and are hard to extract but given a few minutes to cool they do come out more easily but certianly not as they should.
    I used to have a diamond back 38 special and never had any issue with it. I have heard that this isn't an uncommon problem with the python and I love the gun and figure there has to be a solution to the problem. All the loads where factory loads, I figure they should have the process down and the consistancey is most likely close to perfection.I did have someone else tell me I should look to investigate other manufacturers and I will find one that works better. I kinda figure it should work proper regardless but that maybe a wrong thought as well.I also have wondered if a solution might be to have maybe .0010 honed out of the cylinder chambers but that could be a problem as well. As I said I really want to investigate all aspects before I proceed. its truely a pleasure to shoot so smooth and just a pleasure to handle.
    Thank You all again
    Frenchie
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  • 45er
    Howdy Frenchie,

    Before anything, I'd follow perry shoot's suggestion. Then, yes, try different brands of ammo, or even the same from a different supplier. May have gotten on to a box or two not completely to spec?

    That said, and no offense intended, yet I disagree with it being "too hot ammo"-- this is a Python, by golly, and should be able to digest anything of quality on the name-brand market! Same with, "let it cool down". What if a defense gun... "Oh, excuse me, could we call a time out shooting at each other? I need to reload and have to let this ol' Colt cool off a moment". Naw, that don't cut it. And never heard of this being a "common problem"???

    Follow cussed's suggestion, also, in ascertaining if all of the six cylinders, or not are hanging up the brass. Had a Smith M-19 had one cyclinder a bit tighter than the others found to be the culprit.

    That all done and said without satisfaction, then give Colt a call, see what they suggest before going to a local 'smith, is what I'd do.

    Good luck, and like to hear a happy ending to this, and welcome here your first postings.
    P.S. Just thought of something so simple, yet can be overlooked-- you are shooting with the chambers free of oil as should be? Seen this before, as a wet surface can create a bonding effect. Well, you did say looking at all aspects, so trying to not leave any rock un-turned.
    Best,
    45er
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  • andrewsw16
    Had some severe sticking in a S&W .357 but it was after a BUNCH of .38 Special shooting. Just swabbing out the cylinder didn't do the trick in getting rid of the roughness left behind by the shorter cartridges. Took a cleaning brush, wrapped it in 0000 steel wool, chucked it in my electric hand drill and started running it in and out of each chamber, kind of like polishing the cylinders on an engine. Kept doing that until each chamber shined like a mirror. Problem was solved.
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