With the revolver UNLOADED, the hammer pulled back and held there with your thumb, pull the trigger and slowly allow the hammer to fall completely. Keep your trigger pulled all the way back. The cylinder to barrel gap should be between .002" and .008". More than that is excessive. As long as you have the gun in that position GENTLY try to rotate the cylinder first one way then the other. If it turns and then goes back where it was, you are good. It if stays in one direction it is not too bad unless it turns a lot and stays. If it turns and stays in both direction even a little your gun needs to be tuned up.
Take a bright but small light and shine it between the barrel cylinder gap and look dow the muzzle. If the chamber and bore are centered then you are good - if not then you need a tune-up. The gun will shave lead everytime you fire. Check several chambers - remember to put each chamber into full lock-up position to check it.
Check the trigger pull in single and double action using a snap cap or something to block the hammer from falling to battery. It should be smooth - very little creep, and break like a glass rod. The hammer fall should be hard enough to set off any primer and the firing pin should protrude about .060". The rifling should have sharp shoulders and very little visible wear. There should never be pits or corrosion visible in the bore. The hammer should not slip off the sear if you move it in a rotary fashion while in single action mode.
If everything is good to go then you have a great revolver.
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SUZUKI KATANA HISTORY