Just how tight should a cylinder be when the hammer is drawn back and cocked on my pre 29? I would want to send in for service to S&W if it is too loose. Mine has a bit of play that is the same no mater whether the hammer is back or not.

a little bit is ok.. Just pulling a number out, I'd say a 1/16" max

I'd have to say that the play I observe is somewhere close to that, thanks for your response. I'll try to measure it later.

if their is any question in your mind take it to a gunsmith I am sure he can take a 30 sec. look and tell you if it is safe

Every Smith I own has a little wiggle in the cylinder,I know wiggle is subjective but none of them splatter lead and they seem more accurate than I can shoot them. I think that's the way they are built.

As stated earlier any gunsmith can define excessive for you. You may even see variance on each charge hole. You don't say if you have shot it yet but if it were me I sure would before I worried about that.

I haven't shot it yet; I just got it Monday.

but it might help put your mind at ease/ or not

Revolver Checkout Procedure

hth

eta, this is a little oversimplified and supposed to be universal, ie, Colt, Ruger, S&W, etc. Each makers' products have there own quirks, and S&W's should have a little rotational and endplay.

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All my smiths have a "little wiggle". Without it, the cylinder stop wouldn't function reliably.

Every one of them is somewhat tighter when the trigger is pulled and held to the rear (as in when the gun is fired).