just inherited a S/W 38 spl airweight ctg and noticed that it has a crack on the right hand side from the hammer and going toward the cylinder,a friend said that is common for these guns,just wondering if that is true and if the gun is safe to shoot.

Need a good picture of the right side. Nobody knows whether you are talking about the existence of a sideplate, or a real crack.

It is not only common, it exists on ALL S&W Hand Ejector revolvers. It is the frame/sideplate seam. You will see at least three screws around the perimeter, they attach the sideplate to the revolver.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Just to be on the safe side you really need to post pics. You could be talking about the sideplate common to all S&W revolvers or something much more serious. If you cannot post pics take the gun by a local gun store and show it to them. If that is not possible contact your local LE agency for assistance. By all means DO NOT shoot it until you get this verified.

And, of course the CTG is a caliber, not a model.
Denis

Here is a photo showing the side plate "crack". See the second photo in post number 19.

686 no dash, without the "M" mod. Worth it?

This is normal.

rat

didnot know that thank you

thanks for all of the help will post pics asap,it is definately a crack,was fatherinlaws gun and he swore by it,just doesnot look right

sanddaddy, welcome to the forum. From what you say it does sound like the sideplate seam. If you look at the gun from the rear you will see the seam on the right side of the hammer. And, looking at the right side of the gun, it will follow the contour of the recoil shield up towards the top of the gun, and then turn towards the hammer. A crack, where you are describing it, is relatively unusual.
Post pics, we'll let you know. A lot of people have seen that seam and thought, "Oh No!", so you would not be the first!

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

This "crack" does it go forward, then down, and around the rear of the cylinder? Is so I think you are indeed referring to the side plate. You can see it in the 2nd picture down on the left side, the nickel one