RG .22 Revolver End Shake Fix: When a $50 Gun Isn't Worth It | Over the Gunsmith's Shoulder Ep. 32

Most gunsmiths have a list of guns they won't touch. Ken Brooks shows you what happens when a loyal customer talks you into one anyway — and what you learn from it. In this episode of Over the Gunsmith's Shoulder, Master Gunsmith Ken Brooks takes on a repair he wouldn't normally accept: an RG .22 revolver suffering from chronic misfires. After diagnosing the root cause — excessive cylinder end shake creating a dangerous headspace problem — Ken walks you step by step through the decision-making process of a real working gunsmith. The timing checks out in both single and double action, so he takes a calculated approach: instead of machining an oversized bushing (the correct fix on a quality gun), he fits a hardware washer to push the cylinder rearward and reduce end shake on the cheap. What follows is an honest, unfiltered look at what happens when "simple jobs" aren't — hand alignment problems, a stubborn retaining pin, a lock washer that won't cooperate, and an ejector thread that needs vise correction before final assembly. Ken wraps with hard-earned business wisdom every new gunsmith needs to hear. ✅ Gunsmith ethics: when to refuse a job — and when to make an exception ✅ Cylinder end shake diagnosis on a .22 revolver ✅ Understanding the relationship between end shake and headspace ✅ Revolver timing check: single action vs. double action ✅ Budget repair approach: washer vs. proper gas ring/bushing ✅ Revolver disassembly: ejector, center pin, retaining pin removal ✅ Washer selection and fitting to the center pin bore ✅ Aligning the hand/pawl during disassembly and reassembly ✅ Managing customer expectations on budget firearms ✅ The true cost of "quick repairs" on cheap guns ✅ First-5-years business advice: take every job and learn This is the kind of real-world gunsmithing judgment you only develop by watching a pro work through it — including when it doesn't go smoothly. 🔧 Want to learn real gunsmithing from certified professionals? 👉 https://americangunsmithinginstitute.... Whether you're a hobbyist, a gun owner, or ready to train as a certified professional gunsmith, AGI has the courses to get you there. 🔔 Like and Subscribe so you never miss an episode of Over the Gunsmith's Shoulder. Q: What is cylinder end shake and why does it cause misfires? A: End shake is unwanted forward-and-rearward cylinder movement in the frame. On this RG .22, the firing pin impact pushed the cylinder forward, reducing the strike force on the rim — causing consistent misfires. Tighten the end shake and you fix the headspace. Q: How do you fix cylinder end shake without machining new parts? A: Ken selected a flat washer from his shop supply that fit around the center pin bore, sitting between the cylinder and frame to push the cylinder rearward. It's a budget solution for a budget gun — the proper fix on a quality firearm is machining an oversized bushing. Q: What's the difference between end shake and headspace on a revolver? A: They're directly related. End shake IS excess headspace on a revolver. When the cylinder moves forward, the cartridge rides forward too, and the firing pin can't deliver enough force to the rim. Fix the end shake and the headspace tightens with it. Q: Should I take in guns that are known to be poor quality? A: Ken's advice: in your first five years, take everything — you'll learn fast what's fixable and what isn't. After that, build your own no-touch list. RGs and other budget revolvers often can't be made 100% reliable regardless of what you do to them. Q: How do you check revolver timing before committing to a repair? A: Ken tested both single action and double action before disassembly. Since the cylinder locked up correctly in both modes, timing wasn't the cause — confirming end shake was the primary culprit and making the job worth attempting. Q: What tools did Ken use to fix the end shake on the RG revolver? A: A selection of hardware washers to fit around the center pin bore, a punch for the retaining pin, shop oil for reassembly lubrication, and a bench vise to correct a binding ejector thread before final installation. 4. Chapters 00:00 — Cold Open: Guns Ken Won't Work On 00:44 — Gene Kelly Welcome & AGI Introduction 01:20 — Ken's Bench: Philosophy on Poor-Quality Firearms 03:24 — The Customer's RG .22 Revolver: Misfire Problem 05:05 — Diagnosis: Excessive End Shake = Headspace Issue 07:26 — Safe Check & Revolver Disassembly 09:03 — Washer Selection to Fix End Shake 10:18 — Fitting the Washer — Hand/Pawl Alignment Challenge 14:08 — Ejector Thread Issue & Vise Correction 16:18 — Final Reassembly: Center Pin, Retaining Pin & Oil 17:22 — End Shake Gone — Wrap-Up & What Went Wrong 18:55 — First 5 Years Advice for New Gunsmiths 19:46 — Like, Subscribe & Train With AGI #Gunsmithing #RGRevolver #GunRepair #OverTheGunsmithsShoulder #AmericanGunsmithingInstitute #AGI #FirearmsTraining #22Revolver #RevolvRepair