Gas ring stretcher...
Do any of you have any experience with this gas ring stretcher on Ruger Single Actions. For whatever reason, every 4 5/8" SBH I've had comes complete with excessive cylinder end shake. This one I have currently has the least (at least it doesn't rattle). Not sure why it seems this particular model and barrel length are disproportionally affected but at least in my experience they are. My current model seems to have between .003-.004", just enough to be annoying. I wonder if it's enough to eventually cause premature wear or if I should forget about it and carry on just putting a dab of high pressure grease on the back of the cylinder ratchet and front of the gas ring. If the gas ring stretcher works well I'd be willing to give that a shot. I know Power Custom makes shims but I'd prefer to have a more permanent fix and not have to fiddle with shims. If it was like a a Colt and you could just slide the gas ring out, drop a proper shim in and put it back together, that would be pretty nice.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/handgun-tools/gas-system-tools/single-...
Gas ring stretcher...
Maybe a dumb question, but have you measured the end shake with the cylinder full of new?
It's the same full or empty NM
.
I don't have one nor ever used one but in the swaging
process to lengthen the cylinder the cylinder pin hole diameter may be reduced as well requiring reaming in some fashion. I don't see why it would not work though. I have looked at the stretching tool myself but I can make / buy an awful lot of shims for the price of the tool. I have a couple of single six cylinders that I have tightened with shims and I do agree with you it is a bit of an inconvenience.