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April 30, 2022
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I just bought a palmer 445 super mag a few days ago as many of you have probably seen in my post in the new member section. The gunshop acquired it from an estate and I'm willing to guess the gentleman prior to me shot some fairly hot loads. I just discovered the ejector rod is bent. If its threaded on just right theres no binding. But if its tightened all the way it only goes halfway through the stroke. Should I try to straighten it or just try to find a replacement? I scored an EWK barrel wrench specific to my compensated shroud off their website last night so I'm super excited about that. The previous owner set the cylinder gap so tight 2 of the cylinders start to rub ever so slightly. I'm not going to hot rod my hand loads so I'm going to open the gap up maybe a thousandth.
October 17, 2017
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I think you could attempt to straighten the rod without too much difficulty. As for the barrel/cylinder gap there’s no need to ever have the cylinder rubbing against the forcing cone. Some folks imagine that a tight gap is better, but there is no real evidence of this. As long as we don’t go over .006 on a Magnum you shouldn’t have any issues with spitting debris out the sides. Check to see how much movement you have when you press the cylinder rearward against the spring loaded detent ball. It shouldn’t move much. If it does, then gauge just how much it is by measuring the gap with the cylinder at rest, then with it pressed rearward. The difference of these two numbers is how much end play is present. If it’s over .002 it can easily be corrected with shims. Then, a gap with the cylinder at rest of .003 for example would give you a gap of .005 upon firing. Perfect IMHO
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January 24, 2009
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When you check your gap, roll the cylinder around & set your gap at the tightest spot of all 6...they are not (and will not be) all the same. And make sure your cylinder & barrel forcing cone are both clean when doing so. On most of my DW's (no matter the caliber), I set the gap at .002 on the tightest spot on the cylinder. There are only a couple of mine that get pissy when set that tight while hot, so I've bumped them to .004...the rest in the clan are happy being set tighter. 
I decided last decade that DW's .006 "across the board" recommendation was probably to keep the masses happy, because most buyers wouldn't bother to know to set the gap on the tightest hole in the cylinder.
April 30, 2022
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Thank you both for the replies! In full lockup the cylinder barely has any rearward travel. Ill see what i can do to take the bend out of the guide rod and when my barrel wrench arrives ill set my gap. Cant wait to get it out to the range. I got some .44mag 240gr jsp to try. Im gona have to order some 445sm brass from starline and get a die set here soon.
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