DA Revolver Check

NN

Read another Intermedia Handgun magazine today and
was amazed that I had not thought of this simple function
check before.

Load the cylinder and close it, pull slightly back on the hammer
and rotate the cylinder fully to ensure all rnds are fully seated and
there are no high primers that would rub on the recoil shield and
stop the cylinder from turning.

Seems so simple and easy to do, however, I've never seen anyone
do it.

I started doing a similar check with SA revolvers after I bought that lead 9mm
that does not chamber well, but, of course that is done before closing
the loading gate.

These checks should be done esp in a carry revolver.

KENFU1911

Yep...old trick....Learned it first time I read "No second place winner"......Ken

Razorbacker

Thanks for the heads up Ned, Will check the Wife's model 19 ASAP. Don't remember this from "No second place winner", but there's a copy around here somewhere.

Btw, I did see your carry option with your 29, that is a very versatile position for a fit individual. That would allow you to carry the same way, walking, driving, whatever.

5280 shooter II

So I can't just slap the cylinder closed, half-cock and spin the cylinder fast like in the movies?

NN

5280 shooter II wrote: »

So I can't just slap the cylinder closed, half-cock and spin the cylinder fast like in the movies?

I don't know maybe you could with some revolvers after all you live out west of yonder.

I was trying it with Rugers SP 101 & 100;
half cock was too far, it seemed more like 1/8 cock.

Big Chief

Sounds like the bolt stop "Button" on the bottom is depressed enough to allow you to rotate the cylinder by slightly pulling back on the hammer and the pawl coming out of the recoil shield is not fully engaged on the cylinder ratchets/notches on the rear of it.

I do essentially the same thing by loading 5 of 6 or less and leave one or more empty chambers and start cocking and letting the hammer down with my thumb gently on empty chambers as I make sure the loaded charge holes rotate freely. Of course, you gotta know a S&W rotates counterclockwise and a Colt revolver cylinder rotates clockwise and keep it pointed in a safe direction. :guns::guns:

104RFAST

I just sent my 686 back to Smith for the L frame mod due to the possibility of 357 primers backing out against the recoil shield and locking up the cylinder. Re-designates it to 686-M. I likes my S&W's.
BTW I see no need for the so-called hot loads that caused the issue to surface in the first place.Just want
to be sure it goes BANG if necessary.

5280 shooter II

NN wrote: »

Seems so simple and easy to do, however, I've never seen anyone
do it.

Probably because 99% of factory ammo will have primers set at the proper depth, and reloaders should be doing their own QA for the same.

Buford

104RFAST wrote: »

I just sent my 686 back to Smith for the L frame mod due to the possibility of 357 primers backing out against the recoil shield and locking up the cylinder. Re-designates it to 686-M.

Never heard of such a thing. I would think that's not possible. What is the modification?

breamfisher

It was only for the 686, 686-2, or 686-3. They replaced the hammer nose, firing pin bushing, and some other parts.

KENFU1911

Razorbacker wrote: »

T Don't remember this from "No second place winner", but there's a copy around here somewhere.

.

Um...might be my memory....that might have been from "Come now Charlie".....Jordan's response to Askins...."Sixguns are clunks".....Ken

NN

5280 shooter II wrote: »

Probably because 99% of factory ammo will have primers set at the proper depth, and reloaders should be doing their own QA for the same.

Been thinking about your comment and for the most part your right.

I see, on various forums, someone periodically having an issue with the cylinder
of a .357 being sluggish or actually jammed up. The response is invariably, clean the
revolver because there is a crud ring from shooting .38 spl.

I think this test would help those people find this issue before it ruins their day.

Also, it might enlighten them on what the recoil shield does and why it is ramped
on one side where the issue happens if it does happen, be it a high primer or a
rnd that won't slide back in place after a shot due to a crud ring.

Big Chief

I never had the mod done on my 686. It did lock up one time on me firing Blazer 158 JHPs back in the 80s. They were HOT! Don't remember if it was just that lot ammo or what. No issues since then with some pretty righteous hand-loads and any and all factory loads.