Any Gunsmiths here - The Firearms Forum

38 special · 04-07-2009, 09:48 PM

Question for gunsmith -when you open cylinder latch so cylinder is out,how freely should cylinder rotate? On some revolvers i can spin cylinder very easily on others they dont spin that freely Should they all spin/rotate with very little effort or is it normal that some have more drag than others?

koginam · 04-07-2009, 10:00 PM

For the most part the cylinder should turn easily, Most of the time when they are slow its because of crude or gun grease. The function of the gun should not be affected by a slow cylinder as long as it moves smoothly. If the cylinder wobbles you may have a bent cylinder rod.

oscarmayer · 04-08-2009, 06:59 AM

koginam is correct, and to answer your question yes some are tighter than others, it's all about the tolerences. but clean it well and lube it up and if it doesnt wobble you should have no problems

muddober · 04-08-2009, 07:16 AM

All cylinders should spin freely. Anything less can negatively affect double action shooting, single action smoothness, alignment and advance wear on all the parts that turn the cylinder.

oscarmayer · 04-08-2009, 07:35 AM

spin freely is a relative term . and some guns new from the box spin more freely than others

JLA · 04-08-2009, 11:25 AM

ALL revolver cylinders should spin SMOOTHLY, some will be tighter than others depending on mfgr tolerances, but NONE should catch, wobble or fail to line/lock up into battery. When in doubt, clean it out. IF YOU STILL ARE HAVING DOUBTS AFTERWARDS TAKE IT TO A GUNSMITH. Dont risk your revolver over uncertainty, I have seen too many destroyed guns under such circumstances...

04-07-2009, 09:48 PM	#1
38 special Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 548	Any Gunsmiths here Question for gunsmith -when you open cylinder latch so cylinder is out,how freely should cylinder rotate? On some revolvers i can spin cylinder very easily on others they dont spin that freely Should they all spin/rotate with very little effort or is it normal that some have more drag than others? -->

04-07-2009, 10:00 PM	#2
koginam Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 12	Re: Any Gunsmiths here For the most part the cylinder should turn easily, Most of the time when they are slow its because of crude or gun grease. The function of the gun should not be affected by a slow cylinder as long as it moves smoothly. If the cylinder wobbles you may have a bent cylinder rod. __________________ In over 30 years as a professional gunsmith I never once got up in the morning and didn't want to go to work.

04-08-2009, 06:59 AM	#3
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Any Gunsmiths here koginam is correct, and to answer your question yes some are tighter than others, it's all about the tolerences. but clean it well and lube it up and if it doesnt wobble you should have no problems

04-08-2009, 07:16 AM	#4
muddober Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,436	Re: Any Gunsmiths here All cylinders should spin freely. Anything less can negatively affect double action shooting, single action smoothness, alignment and advance wear on all the parts that turn the cylinder.

04-08-2009, 07:35 AM	#5
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Any Gunsmiths here spin freely is a relative term . and some guns new from the box spin more freely than others

04-08-2009, 11:25 AM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: Any Gunsmiths here ALL revolver cylinders should spin SMOOTHLY, some will be tighter than others depending on mfgr tolerances, but NONE should catch, wobble or fail to line/lock up into battery. When in doubt, clean it out. IF YOU STILL ARE HAVING DOUBTS AFTERWARDS TAKE IT TO A GUNSMITH. Dont risk your revolver over uncertainty, I have seen too many destroyed guns under such circumstances... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!