Tight cylinder on pre war

[r0gue]

A freind just bought a Pre War (and I am considering buying one myself).  The only aspect of this gun that concerns me is the great difficulty in removing the cylinder.  It must be jiggled front to back a hundred times or so to get it worked out.  It will not pull straight out or roll out.  Is this normal?  Any hints or pointers as to what he might be doing wrong?

Thanks all!

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Rogue,
That's a new one on me, as far as USFA's go.  I own several pre-war models and have never experienced any problems along the lines you describe.
Most obvious question...  Does your friend have the hammer at half-cock when removing the cylinder?  If not, the bolt will obstruct removal and replacement of the cylinder.  Bringing it to half-cock disengages the bolt.
My second guess would be an ill fitted cylinder bushing.  If that is the case, your friend should return the gun to USFA for proper fitting.
CJF

[Doc Sunrise]

Another thing to look for is sometimes a slight turn of the cylinder is needed to disengage itself from the hand.  I recommend using the trick with the strip of paper protecting the cylinder from scratches when removing or replacing the cylinder.  To see if things are too tight, remove the bolt, trigger, hammer & hand.  Pointing the barrel downward slightly, see if the cylinder spins freely. If you lean it backwards the ratchet teeth clip the inside of the recoil shield.

[r0gue]

He ran the bushing face accross a cloth (like very very fine sand paper) for a dozen or so times and now it goes in to the frame fine.  He is a little concerned that he took too much off as now it has a touch of end play front to back.  I figure you have to have a bit of that. 

If you guys shake your SAAs front to back can you hear the cylinder rattle a bit as it moves against the front and then the back?

Thanks all!