.32-20Shooter

Help! Calling all knowlegeable pistolsmiths.

I have an old JP Sauer & Sohn .44 mag revolver. I can shoot .44 special through it all day long. But shoot just one Magnum through it and the cylinder becomes bound up so tight by a thin shaving of lead that no amount of force would allow it to be cocked. Yet I can clear the problem and go back to shooting .44 spl with no problems. My father bought the gun new and shot Magnums through it with no problems for years- "a thousand rounds at least", he told me. But not now.

Is it a bad bushing? Too tight a space between cylinder and forcing cone? The cylinder pin and cylinder are brand new replacements from Numrich Arms. There is no play in the cylinder and the lock up is nice and tight when cocked.

Thanks in advance, but what the heck is going on?

retDAC

Have you used a range rod to check chamber/bore alignment?

.32-20Shooter

I didn't but only because I assumed that if 44 special would shoot with no trouble than it must be aligned. I'll check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

dfariswheel

I think the key words here are "A brand new cylinder".

Cylinders have to be individually fitted and adjusted to a frame. Even in single actions they usually need some fitting and adjusting in order to operate correctly and safely.

I strongly suggest seeing a good pistolsmith.

.32-20Shooter

Good advice. I'll be getting on the phone tomorrow. Sounds like this hobbiest is out of his league on this one!!

Thanks!