Alan Westlake Alfa 357 Mag Revolver

[arsefactor]

Interesting.

I'm having similar problems with mine, but I'm approaching the problem scientifically to narrow down the cause.

After testing it appears that primers are backing out of the cylinder under recoil and jamming the cylinder rotation. I have spoken to Alan about this today and he's recommended a different powder charge weight.
In fairness, until I've completed testing and resolved the issue I won't say much - but will report in full, with video once testing is complete and hopefully the issue is resolved.

Cheers!

[dannywayoflife]

You do need to clean them of bullets do become hard to seat

[NigelG]

out of interest, what are you guys using to clean your cylinders and I'll pass on the info to our club member.

he tried a bronze brush for the barrel and it wrecked it on the first chamber

[dannywayoflife]

Ultrasonic cleaner on the cylinder is all I've needed

[Turnup]

out of interest, what are you guys using to clean your cylinders and I'll pass on the info to our club member.

he tried a bronze brush for the barrel and it wrecked it on the first chamber

Get the same problem with my BP revolvers, and you will get the same problem if you reverse the stroke while the brush is still in the barrel.. The trick is to turn the brush while reversing the stroke. This allows the bristles to flex rather than kink.

[NigelG]

just spoken to the club member, the reason he couldn't seat bullets in two of the chambers, was due to a bit of lead in each of them. Seems using too heavy a load does something to the hollow base of these bullets and breaks them off.

he is using Fiochi primers which are difficult to remove, will try his CCI next time and 3 grns of powder instead of 4

[NigelG]

just spoken to the club member, the reason he couldn't seat bullets in two of the chambers, was due to a bit of lead in each of them. Seems using too heavy a load does something to the hollow base of these bullets and breaks them off.

he is using Fiochi primers which are difficult to remove, will try his CCI next time and 3 grns of powder instead of 4

as for the indexing failing on 2 chambers, keeping the spindle cleaned and lubed and firmly pulling the hammer back cures it

[arsefactor]

Just had time for a quick test on mine tonight after sorting my probationers out.

Using 3.5gr of Blue Dot with the HBWC lead bullets. Had the same issue with cylinder rotation after firing a couple of shots, though they were accurate when fired. I'll try another test on Monday with a well-lubed spindle.
Mine has no problems if only loading one chamber, only seems to stick if more than one primer is involved. Cylinder lockup and timing appears perfect without any chambers loaded.
Tested a full cylinder with caps only as well and they all fired sequentially with no problems. Only seem to get jams when firing actual bullets ...

[NigelG]

make sure the cylinder is free enough to make it spin on the spindle, if it's tight'ish, the pawl that rotates the cylinder will not be able to move it very easily

[Frag Muppet]

Just had time for a quick test on mine tonight after sorting my probationers out.

Using 3.5gr of Blue Dot with the HBWC lead bullets. Had the same issue with cylinder rotation after firing a couple of shots, though they were accurate when fired. I'll try another test on Monday with a well-lubed spindle.
Mine has no problems if only loading one chamber, only seems to stick if more than one primer is involved. Cylinder lockup and timing appears perfect without any chambers loaded.
Tested a full cylinder with caps only as well and they all fired sequentially with no problems. Only seem to get jams when firing actual bullets ...

I have experimented already with different loads of Blue Dot.

4 Gn is pretty much a perfect load.

3.5 Gn is not enough you risk getting a bullet stuck in the barrel.

above 4.5 Gn of Blue Dot and it will blow the skirt off a hollow base wad cutter, leaving it stuck in the cylinder.

After I have cleaned the gun I give it a spray with Brunox all over & wipe down with a silicon gun cloth including the spindle.
This will cure your cylinder rotation issue.
I have shot in excess of 60 wad cutters in one go without any issue.

Hope this helps.

[Frag Muppet]

out of interest, what are you guys using to clean your cylinders and I'll pass on the info to our club member.

he tried a bronze brush for the barrel and it wrecked it on the first chamber

The cylinders are stainless steel and will not get damaged easily.

So far I have tried Hoppes copper/Lead solvent, works OK.

I have also tried Bore Foam on the barrel & cylinder, also works OK.

A friend suggested I tried KG1 ( A carbon/powder solvent ), will get some of this and give it a go, hopefully will be better than the other two above.

I also finish off by giving the Firearm a spray with Brunox, and wipe down with a silicon gun cloth when done.

It would be nice to find a product that works well, along with a nylon brush for scrubbing the bottom of the cylinder to get it spotless.

The nylon brush I have only really scrubs the sides.

I also use an undersized bronze brush wrapped in a large cotton patch to clean the cylinder ( Same method I use on black powder firearms )

I have not had an issue on the range with reloading into a dirty cylinder.
I have shot in excess of 60 bullets on one occasion without any issue.

[Turnup]

[QUOTE=Frag Muppet;6381080]<snip>
It would be nice to find a product that works well, along with a nylon brush for scrubbing the bottom of the cylinder to get it spotless.

The nylon brush I have only really scrubs the sides.

<SNIP>

For my .44 BP guns I use a tool I made from an old electric toothbrush. Some have a round brush which can be easily removed. Trim it down to fit the cylinder with a Stanley knife, and glue it on to a bit of dowel (I used a 5.56mm case) and you can reach the bottom of the cylinder and give it a twirl to clean. Also works well on nipple recesses.

[Frag Muppet]

[QUOTE=Turnup;6381087]

<snip>
It would be nice to find a product that works well, along with a nylon brush for scrubbing the bottom of the cylinder to get it spotless.

The nylon brush I have only really scrubs the sides.

<SNIP>

For my .44 BP guns I use a tool I made from an old electric toothbrush. Some have a round brush which can be easily removed. Trim it down to fit the cylinder with a Stanley knife, and glue it on to a bit of dowel (I used a 5.56mm case) and you can reach the bottom of the cylinder and give it a twirl to clean. Also works well on nipple recesses.

That sounds spot on

Great idea, will give it a go!

Thanks