Setting the barrel back on a Richland Arms brass 44 Remmy

[n.h.schmidt]

Hi All I now have this revolver. It is a unfinished kit gun. It has been fired very little. The barrel gap measures .015. Is this too much? I have the means to set the barrel back a full turn and adjust things to fit. I can't get the barrel to budge though. I'm thinking that I will do something bad if I use more force. What to do? use it as is. I'm prepared to use lighter loads like 20 gr of goex 3f. Anybody here have a sure fire way to get the barrel off. I don't believe it to be rusted tight and I did use Kroil and some heat.
Thanks all
n.h.schmidt

 

[Phil Coffins]

To turn the barrel off you MUST have a very solid vice with jaws that are cut for an octagon barrel. Then you need a action wrench to fit the receiver. With these the barrel can be removed and reinstalled. With out these a bent receiver and or a marred barrel can be done quickly. I have removed barrels from a number of revolvers and will assure you this is what you need.

 

[Zonie]

If it was mine, and I was just going to use the pistol for casual target practice and plinking cans, I would just go ahead and live with the .015 cylinder gap.

That gap is on the high side of what I would like to see, but as long as people weren't standing close to me, directly to my right and left, it would be safe to shoot.

 

[n.h.schmidt]

I think I will live with it as is. I usually fix things until they don't work anymore. I do have a massive vice but no jaws cut for a octagon barrel. I don't know where you would get that. I could pour lead jaws for my barrel vice .That could work. Another time I suppose. I hope to shoot it on Tuesday.
n.h.schmidt

 

[russellshaffer]

Is it possible to shim the cylinder forward? Make a washer from brass shim stock from a good auto parts shop?

 

[n.h.schmidt]

Yes It is possible to shim the cylinder forward. I made one out of .010 thick steel. I need to do it better though as the fit isn't good enough. Something to play with as time goes on. If I keep the loading light ,maybe this will not be needed.
n.h.schmidt

 

[ZUG]

Using lead will not work - lead is too soft and will deform quickly. Use two 1-1/2" or 2" square oak wood blocks about 4" long and carve out the barrel shape in them length wise. Coat the inside of the blocks with powder rosin and clamp the barrel into it with the vise jaws. Some use Bondo auto body putty to match the barrel couture but you will still need to use the powder rosin to get firm positive contact.