Colt Python Cylinder Gap?

Layne12gun

December 13, 2011 18:29

Can any body tell me what the cylinder gap should be for a Colt Python.. Im re barreling a python that had a round stuck in the barrel and then shot again buldging the barrel. I have located the replacement barrel but need to know the head space barrel cylinder gap.
thanks

0

• 

  marc2564

  December 13, 2011 19:05

  Min. 003
  Max. 008"

  0
• 

  beantownshootah

  December 14, 2011 09:23

  Marc has it.
  
  FWIW, factory spec for barrel gap on Smith and Wesson revolvers is between 0.003 and 0.008". Pythons are all hand-fitted and should have short gaps.
  
  In general, a shorter gap will give you a slightly better velocity, but if its really short, the cylinder can drag after lots of shooting because of dirt/fouling buildup between the cone and cylinder.
  
  If you're setting it yourself, I'd go for maybe 0.003-0.004".
  
  Also, unless you happen to have the necessary tools and experience, you might contact Colt and ask them how much they'd charge you to swap a barrel. It may be less than you think, and once you figure in the cost of your time and appropriate tools, most cost-efficient than you might think.

  0
• 

  Layne12gun

  December 14, 2011 18:22

  thanks guys.. I have a good friend that is a gun smith and has all the tools but we could not find the gag in writing any where. We had a Smith Armorers man but we could not find anything on Colt with the exception of the SAA.. The six inch barrel was buldged and had several squibb rounds stuck in the barrel. I bought it for a really great price and replaceing the barrel while not a collector it will be a good shooter.. Thanks again guys..

  0
• 

  CSI21

  December 16, 2011 11:43

  Sounds like you may have gotten a good deal on a Python, good luck.
  I wish I had one, have shot several and they were very nice.

  0
• 

  v35

  December 18, 2011 12:55

  Start with .003 and if it starts to slowly drag from powder residue
  between barrel and cylinder open the gap progressively.
  Before deciding it's binding at the gap, check under the extractor. Powder grains and debris have a way of getting between extractor and cylinder.

  0
• 

  celse

  December 19, 2011 12:56

  I have to disagree with marc2564. .003 is too tight. The barrel will tend to bind if it is shot enough to put heat into the barrel and cylinder, and .008 is on the outside of factory spec and will allow to much gas to escape. Six thousand is as good as it gets. Maybe a loose .004 only if you plan to shoot a few round at a time.

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.