What secrets can the recoil plate reveal?

[SWBigBang]

Usually when looking at used revolvers one of the main images I look at is the recoil plate.

I mostly check for the area around the hammer and if that is bright its a good indication that the revolver was heavily used.

What other secrets can the recoil plate reveal?

[WyoStillhunter]

Thanks for asking. That's my question, too.

When looking at a weapon or pictures I look at the recoil plate. If I see definite marks for all six cylinders I assume it was fired a great deal, and/or with heavy loads. When I see very little marking I assume it was not fired much. The cylinder ring doesn't tell me so much since cycling the action, or dry firing, will produce that ring even if ammo is not being discharged.

I am looking forward to the replies by those who are more high-volume S&W traders than I am.

[G.T. Smith]

Another secret that a recoil plate can reveal is the identity of your attacker if you forgot to load your gun, or if that particular charge hole was empty. That's the only one I can think of for now. I will contemplate others.
Have a great day,
gordon

[WyoStillhunter]

???I don't get it.???

[Alk8944]

Wear on the breech face is indicative, basically, of three things.

1) If there is significant burring around the hole in the firing pin bushing this is an indication of dry firing, especially if the burring is greater at the button of the firing pin hole.

2) If the wear from all 6 charge holes is nearly equal the gun has been carried extensively in a holster, but not shot really a lot. This pattern is an indication of the wear from repeated motion, as walking wearing a holster.

3) If the wear is much greater on the firing pin bushing and the area around it than the areas where the other 5 cartridges contact the breech face, then the gun has been shot quite a bit, but this is not necessarily bad if it was all Lead bulleted ammunition.

4) If the wear is nearly exclusive to the area around the firing pin bushing the gun has been fired a moderate amount, but probably never, or very little, been carried in a holster.

The difference between 3 & 4 can easily be distinguished by holster wear on the exterior.

This all assumes simple finish wear. If the wear is to the point of causing a noticeable depression around the firing pin bushing then the gun has been shot a LOT, and I would probably pass on it. This is usually only seen on Magnum caliber revolvers.

[k22fan]

I kept an eye on this barely active thread hoping I'd learn something and I just did! I always attributed the wear from case heads not in line with the barrel to the revolver being fired more than guns without that wear. I couldn't have learned otherwise from personal use because I can't even imagine not practicing a lot with whatever you carry.

[G.T. Smith]

Originally Posted by WyoStillhunter

???I don't get it.???

I was trying to be funny by saying that the area around the firing pin could see through the cylinder and barrel if the gun was empty, thus identifying the attacker and in doing so, being able to reveal that secret of his/her identity. Stoopid, I know
But I believe that Alk8944 hit the nail on the head. I have often wondered the same thing and I have a M37 that has little circles all the way around where the casings are in the cylinder. Since it has an alloy frame I just assumed that it was where the finish wore off the aluminum, or possibly where it had set for a long time with round in the cylinder.
Sorry for being so stupid when you were asking a genuine and serious question
Have a good weekend,
Gordon

[WyoStillhunter]

No sweat G. T. My sense of humor is a little obtuse for some folks.

Thanks for the responses. I was assuming that cartridge head wear corresponding to all six charge holes was caused by recoil during firing. But it makes sense that lots of holster carry with loaded cylinder would produce enough jiggling to cause that as well.

[FRAN357]

I LOOK DOWN THE CYLINDER TO SEE IF THE STOP NOTCHES ARE OK.2 ICHECK FOR D.C.U.3 ICHECK FOR A PUSH-OFF.4 CHECK FOR ENDSHAKE ON CYLINDER OR YOKE.

[stantheman86]

Most of my PD trade ins have case head rings on the recoil plate........some haven't been fired a lot, but have been carried extensively. After 10-20 years in the holster, daily, those 6 rounds bouncing around in the chambers will leave their mark.

[dant]

three basic things are 'wear, erosion around the holes, and the groove' caused by the centerpin.......most PD trade-ins or well used, worn guns this is obvious...........others may be just negligience or a gun left 'loaded' and laying around for a LONG time............gotta look at other factors as some pointed above, the inner top strap, barrel forcing cone, and of course the cylinder line............mechanical, its the timing (DCU), smoothness of the action, and push off of the hammer...you can see LOTS of guns look well worn but have been shot very little,just handled & misused over and over.........ala a 'display sample'