Question concerning timing

[Buckaroo Lou]

I have an as new (only one cylinder of amo fired) USFA single action that I purchased recently and when cocking it the bolt drops right at the point of the cylinder notch and is beginning to make a slight indentation. It appears as though the timing is off ever so slightly. I have an older one, also, that I purchased about a year ago that I have shot only once and it has the same thing only the indentations are deeper and more predominate. It appears to have been used or at least turned much more the the one I recently purchased. What can I do if anything to prevent my newer one from getting the same indentations that my older one has and what can I do with the older one to prevent it from becomming worse? Anything short of having to send them back to the factory?
 

Thanks, Buckaroo Lou

[August]

I'm not real sure I understand your issue, and I'm no expert.  However, my two USFA SAs drop the bolt at the point that the bolt notch RAMP is in line with the bolt.  My Colt's revolver also operates this way.  The cylinder continues to turn and the bolt rides down the ramp into the bolt notch, locking the action.  Every quality single action I've had works this way.  They are designed to drop the bolt at that point to avoid making a line around the cylinder, like roogers do.  As you may know, returning the hammer to battery, or the safety notch, from the half-cock position will cause the cylinder to rotate with the bolt dropped onto it, making the dreaded ring around the cylinder.  Again, as you may know, the hammer must be moved to full cock from the half cock position before lowering it into the safety notch to prevent marking the cylinder.

Back to the point -- I think -- of your question.  It is normal for the bolt to drop onto the RAMP and, upon doing so, it leaves a mark at that location.  A properly timed Colt's action works that way.  It has to.

[Buckaroo Lou]

I agree that the bolt is to drop in the ramp just ahead of the notch. On the guns in question, however, the bolt is dropping right at the top of the ramp right about where it begins or where it is shallowest and is making an indentation causing the ramp to look as though it has a nipple, for lack of a better term.  The bolt drops there then slides down the ramp and into the notch as it should. It seems to me if the bolt dropped further into the ramp it would not leave the indentation it is leaving. Is that all clear as mud? I can't seem to explain it to make it more understandable short of taking pictures.

Thanks, Buckaroo Lou

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[RRio]

Here's a diagram that should help:

Click on drawing for larger view.

[Buckaroo Lou]

The diagram that demonstrates what I am talking about more closely resembles the one showing early bolt drop and it drops about where the closest blue X is to the ramp. Once again my question is, what if anything, can I do myself? Sending them back to the factory is time consuming and somewhat troublesome since I do not have an FFL. I am capable to do some repairs but I am not a trained gunsmith,so is there something I can do or is it something that can only be accomplished by a professional gunsmith or do I need to return them to the factory for repair?

Thanks, Buckaroo Lou

[RRio]

If you do not have experience working on SAAs, I would recommend sending it back to USFA or letting a SAA Specialist like Bob James in Phoenix take care of it. I used to do that work but no longer have a FFL to work under.
I've seen a lot of SAAs that the owners thought they could fix , but 99% of the time, they made the problem worse and more costly. The timing on a SAA is tricky and takes real experience. Also, there are a lot of "gunsmiths" out there that think they can repair them, but most do not have a clue. 

http://www.jamesguns.com/     -   (tell him Rio sent ya!)

[Fox Creek Kid]

I've seen a lot of SAAs that the owners thought they could fix , but 99% of the time, they made the problem worse and more costly. The timing on a SAA is tricky and takes real experience. Also, there are a lot of "gunsmiths" out there that think they can repair them, but most do not have a clue.

Excellent words. I've beat this same drum for years. If you don't know what you're doing then your gun WILL be FUBAR ASAP and there are few things more embarrassing than having a REAL gunsmith say the following with a funny look on his face "did you try working on this?" 

[Wild Will]

Best to send it back to USFA.  It won't get better with time, only worse.  I hate sending guns back too but think of it this way, if you don't send it back it will still have the problem and you will never be satisfied with the gun.  Just my two bits worth.

[1Y Iron]

This is probably a late response to this thread, however in the state of Texas One can ship a firearm back to the manufacturer and the manufacturer can ship back to the owner without the using a FFL.  I would contact USFA and inquire the particulars of your state as they will know the law.

1Y Iron