I own a snub nosed SW 19-3 with 2,5" barrel, round butt, purchased mint from a collector some 25 years ago.
I put an old pair of pachmayr rubber grips on it, I find them more comfortable while firing, because hogues (rosewood and bantams) left the backstrap exposed.
I have a question about the gap between cylinder and barrel.
The gap is .006" (0,15mm), the same left and right, on each one of the six chambers.
It has no end-shake at all.
Should I reduce the gap?
With a shimming kit?
Would a shimming kit increase the free-bore? The firing pin is attached to the hammer as you know, and I have had some striking issues with reloading primers (mostly CCI brand, harder I guess). The hammer spring is already set "hard".
I fired several thousands rounds in it, mostly reloads, 99% of them in double-action. The timing is still correct, but in the future I know I will have to replace and fit the "hand" to ensure the cylinder stop to act before the hammer falls.
Sometimes I noticed the projection of small particles from the gap, I guess maybe the reload were a bit hot, but not that hot. That's why I'm a bit concerned about the gap.
Thank you.