Author Topic: Revolver Cylinder Rotation Question (Read 471 times)

jcsabolt2 · « **on:** March 01, 2004, 01:10:24 AM »

I went to a gun show this past weekend with a friend of mine and took a look at a few revolvers. I'm probably going to show my ignorance here, but you gotta learn sometime. Is the cylinder in a revolvers suppose to rotate ever so slightly with the hammer in the uncocked position? I picked up a Ruger GP100 and a Rossi and both did. It wasn't much at all, but I thought they should never move once they are closed and locked in the frame. Or is it that they "lock up" in position once the hammer is cocked?

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2004, 01:20:35 AM »

They lock up when the hammer is cocked

Flint · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2004, 09:13:06 AM »

With the hammer cocked. the hand is raised and is (supposed to be) hard against the ratchet on one side, and the bolt is hard against the cylinder notch on the opposite side, so the cylinder should be locked more solidly at full cock than with the hammer down.

bfoster · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2004, 10:06:06 PM »

Actually, some D.A. revolvers don't fully lock until the hammer has been released by the trigger and is nearly at the point where it has struck the firing pin (in the case of a frame mounted firing pin) or is nearly "home" (in the case of a hammer mounted firing pin).

A small amount of sideplay is normal in S&W and Ruger D.A. and some Colt revolvers, it should be almost or entirely absent in Colt D, E, and I frame revolvers.

Bob