Author Topic: S&W M17-2 tight chamber solution? (Read 7375 times)

mtnbkr · « **on:** August 22, 2009, 09:56:15 AM »

I have an early 60s vintage 17-2 with very tight chambers. As long as I scrub the chambers every 4-6 rounds (per chamber), it isn't too bad, but if I go over that, extracting the fired cases is tough. It takes a right smart whack with the palm of my hand on the ejector rod to empty the gun. This feels like borderline abuse of a fine old revolver. A couple of the chambers are tight enough to take significant pressure to seat the cartridges during loading. It takes away from my love of this gun (makes me look good when firing DA).

Is there a solution to this? Lapping maybe? I'd like to be able to shoot at least a box of 22lr before having to scrub the chambers.

Chris

charby · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2009, 10:05:37 AM »

Also if a lot of CCI ammo was shot it in, the wax on the bullets really likes to build up in a revolver's cylinder. Some of the guys I shoot with that shoot 17 or newer models really complain about shooting CCI ammo, always have to say something to me about wax when I shoot CCI in my Colt .22.

Have you tried something like J-B Bore Compound? Might be that your cylinder is fouled or leaded really badly and just needs a deep cleaning. You may want to try that before lapping it.

J-B Bore Compound is a Brownells product.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2009, 10:43:17 AM »

I have some J-B, I'll give that a try. I read the same thing over at S&W Forums a few minutes ago as well.

As for the ammo, so far, all I've shot through it has been Winchester bulk pack stuff.

Chris

LAK · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2009, 02:46:10 PM »

I wouldn't try lapping the chambers.

I would try a thorough clean, then a good swabbing of the chambers with Tetra Gun Grease. Swab well, then run a few patches through to remove all but a thin film, them buff with clean dry mop(s).

This effectively leaves a dry film which has some lubricating properties. I use it as a bore protectant/conditioner in pistols and rifles. And although this is normally not a good idea for chambers, this is a heavily constructed (for the cartridge) revolver. Any moderate increase in case head thrust by the mighty .22rf is not likely to damage it.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2009, 06:22:10 PM »

My S&W Model 34-1 exhibits the exact same issue. It will be on it's way to S&W this week for a general checkup and correction of other issues. I feel for a 30 odd year old revolver, I owe it a bit of TLC by the people who know what they are doing.

Standing Wolf · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2009, 08:56:36 PM »

I'd remove the cylinder and soak it overnight in Hoppe's No. 9, then use a .32 caliber bronze bristle brush on the chambers, and pay particular attention to the extractor and the area beneath it.

A very few guns do, indeed, leave their factories with under-sized chambers; a great many more guns, however, are plain old-fashioned dirty.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2009, 09:07:04 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on August 22, 2009, 10:43:17 AM

I have some J-B, I'll give that a try.

J-B Weld will not work. Trust me. I tried it.

seeker_two · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2009, 09:26:10 PM »

Quote from: fistful on August 22, 2009, 09:07:04 PM

J-B Weld will not work. Trust me. I tried it.

Not the "I thought it was Preparation-H" story again....

Gewehr98 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2009, 10:58:00 PM »

Fistful,

He means JB Bore Paste.

Totally different product.

Jim147 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2009, 11:26:54 PM »

Quote from: fistful on August 22, 2009, 09:07:04 PM

J-B Weld will not work. Trust me. I tried it.

It really is all Fistful's fault.

jim

charby · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2009, 11:29:37 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on August 22, 2009, 10:43:17 AM

I have some J-B, I'll give that a try. I read the same thing over at S&W Forums a few minutes ago as well.
Chris

Good to see other folks have the same advice. I love the JB stuff to get rid of the crude ring when shooting .38 special in a .357 mag gun.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2009, 12:53:11 AM »

Quote from: Gewehr98 on August 22, 2009, 10:58:00 PM

Fistful,

He means JB Bore Paste.

Totally different product.

It's always a hoot when your sense of humor goes on strike.

Gewehr98 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2009, 11:26:32 AM »

Oh, I must've missed the smiley icon in your JB Weld post, my bad.

(And yes, there are folks who don't know the difference between JB Weld and J-B Bore Paste)

Paragon · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2009, 05:13:26 PM »

Quote from: fistful on August 22, 2009, 09:07:04 PM

J-B Weld will not work. Trust me. I tried it.

Blasphemy. JB Weld will fix ANYTHING.

seeker_two · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2009, 05:55:22 PM »

Quote from: Paragon on August 23, 2009, 05:13:26 PM

Blasphemy. JB Weld will fix ANYTHING.

Then explain fistful....

erictank · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2009, 09:00:24 PM »

Quote from: seeker_two on August 23, 2009, 05:55:22 PM

Then explain fistful....

It hasn't been applied in the right place, is all...

Clem · « **Reply #16 on:** August 24, 2009, 08:52:32 AM »

The chambers of the older Model 17s are tight for maximum accuracy. This can lead to the usual extraction issues. Rather than use JB Borescrubber or Bore Bright (which is finer abrasive), I just chuck up a .243 bronze brush and clean the chambers using an electric hand drill and Shooter’s Choice. In addition to doing a nice cleaning job, the bronze brush tends to burnish the chambers, making them smoother without the use of abrasives.

T.O.M. · « **Reply #17 on:** August 25, 2009, 08:48:49 AM »

Ditto to what Clem said. A friend of my father, and an avid bullseye shooter, loved his Model 17's accuracy, but hated the tightness of the chambers. he claimed that when he called SMith to ask about it, he was told it was intentional for accuracy. Given his preference for bullseye shooting, he thanked them and just made sure to keep the chambers shiny clean all the time.

charby · « **Reply #18 on:** August 25, 2009, 08:55:16 AM »

Quote from: Clem on August 24, 2009, 08:52:32 AM

The chambers of the older Model 17s are tight for maximum accuracy. This can lead to the usual extraction issues. Rather than use JB Borescrubber or Bore Bright (which is finer abrasive), I just chuck up a .243 bronze brush and clean the chambers using an electric hand drill and Shooter’s Choice. In addition to doing a nice cleaning job, the bronze brush tends to burnish the chambers, making them smoother without the use of abrasives.

J-B Bore Compound doesn't remove finishes or metal. Just removes fouling, copper and lead.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #19 on:** August 25, 2009, 09:29:19 AM »

Yeah, IIRC, it is made with walnut shells. I usually use it for my end of season deer rifle cleaning or for a heavily fouled barrel.

Chris

mtnbkr · « **Reply #20 on:** September 12, 2009, 10:31:06 AM »

Update:

I finally got around to scrubbing the chambers well with a slightly larger than caliber brush, lots of wet patches, and a pass with JB. Rounds now drop in and drop out. I haven't shot it yet, hope to do that today.

Chris

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #21 on:** September 12, 2009, 07:51:02 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on September 12, 2009, 10:31:06 AM

Update:

I finally got around to scrubbing the chambers well with a slightly larger than caliber brush, lots of wet patches, and a pass with JB. Rounds now drop in and drop out. I haven't shot it yet, hope to do that today.

Chris

So you ruined it then... :|

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Author Topic: S&W M17-2 tight chamber solution? (Read 7375 times)