What does recessed mean when describing an S&W revolver?

Thanks

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Paul
Salome, AZ

The rear of the cylinder is recessed below a rim that runs around the edge that's the thickness of the shells rim.S&W did that on the magnums through -2 and on the 22 rimfires

The faces of the cylinder charge holes are recessed so the head of the bullet sits all the way into the cylinder and is not seen when cylinder is closed from the side. Makes no big difference in function though. Back in the day Smith and Wesson made the very best product possible. Now they make the best product possible at a given price while maintaining a profit.

Recessed dash numbers very
with mod# 29-2 last 29 that is
recessed but I believe 19-4 is
still recessed

Here is an image of a recessed 22LR cylinder. The chambers are cut so the case head sits flush with the cylinder

Here is an image of a non-recessed 45LC cylinder. The chambers are cut so the case head sits on the cylinder

Asked and answered

Closer look at recessed...



Remember that only the Magnum calibers and the rim fire calibers were recessed. The ones in 38 Special, 44 Special, etc were never recessed.

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No life story has happy end.

For the Model 19 the recess feature,
as did the pinning of the barrel, ended
with the dash-5 models in 1982. That's
probably the year all recessed chambers
were officially ended except the .22s.