I'm still kind of a newbie at revolvers. Just looking at some different N-frame revolvers and noticed that there seems to be two different styles of cylinder release buttons.





So is there a rhyme or reason to which one S&W puts on different guns?

Which style do you like best and why?

IIRC, they changed to the new style (bottom photo) in the late 1990s. There were some "special editions" made after that with the old style thumb piece, but most of the regular production line guns use the new style since that time frame.

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Lorin

There's also this one by Hogue.....

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368711488.382025.jpg


(Sent via iPhone)

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- The Federalist #46 -

I have had S&W revolvers that had the old style cylinder release and I have handled S&W Revolvers with the new style cylinder release. I like the second style cylinder because it feels better when I push it with my thumb.

same here, but I think the older style looks better

Functionally there is no difference, I just prefer the older style as that is what I grew up with. It reminds me of the days when people could be trusted to handle a revolver without an idiot lock inside.

I have two of them. Works well on one (460 V), not so well on the other, gritty and rough. The second model # escapes me at the moment. Probably nothing that a Dremel can't "fix".

I prefer the new style for comfort as well as looks.

I like the new style better. More user friendly.

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T. Johnson

Old style, even if it does eat my thumb with heavy loads in light guns. It just looks better

I'd heard that they had to change the shape of the cylinder catch mechanism because of the IL?

My 627 Pro has the new style (bottom picture) but I like the looks of the old flat style. I'm thinking of buying one from SDM Fabrication to try the flat style. Honestly, being left handed the thumb latch is purely a cosmetic thing.

Here's a pic of the SDM part (picture from SDM's web page). As you can see, it works fine with the IL on a N frame.

Actually, I like the ones on Colts better but my three S&W revolvers have the middle style. Earlier, they had a flat plate style as well. I like the ergos of the new style but won't bother to change the one on my '93 442.

That's an uneducated guess by someone who doesn't know they changed the latch way before the IL came along. I prefer the new style which is less likely to tear your thumbs up during shooting. I use after-market latches for competition guns.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I might be wrong but aren't the newer styled ones also MIM? I own revolvers with both and still prefer the older style. Though they function the same the old style looks manlier and feels better. I don't like how similar they now look to Taurus and Rossi cylinder release.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

I like the button on my Ruger!

Me too! I'm a lefty and the Ruger's work much better for me.

I may be wrong as I often am but the "older" style being shown in this thread I'd call the "middle" style.

The style on the older Smiths was more concave and sometimes us older sorts would Dremel the edges to make them less sharp and to accommodate the HKS speed loader.

If you look at the new style cylinder release button, it's cut in such a way as to allow a bit extra room for the speed loaders. If for no better word, I think the newer style is more "efficient" when it comes to using speed loaders.

The cutouts in wooden grips and now the thinned portions of the rubber grips are both steps to help in using the speed loaders. Now the "bullet" cylinder releases are the next step.

Or so I believe.

Here's one from the sixties. Is this the "old" style?

Attached Images

Elsinore Valley-20120408-00113.jpg (143.0 KB, 221 views)

My engineering mind is drawn more to the old style as it is symetrical. Does the SDM old style latch cure the tear up your thumbs issue?

The bottom picture in my original post is my 629PC. I'm pretty sure that it is a MIM part. Not that it really bothers me but it would be nice to have sharp checkering on the latch. The MIM latch is lacking in grippyness.

what about the Cylinder and Slide design?

ptgarcia,

the latch on the J-frame which you show was generally only on the smaller frames such as J, if memory serves. The K-N frame guns of the older guns used to just have the "concave" cylinder release button with a somewhat sharp ridge going around the checkering.

If you have the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wessson, just consult it. In fact, you will notice on some specimens that the ridge I speak of is worn of its bluing.

+1 on the SDM machine cut cylinder release.

It gives you a POSITIVE contact with the release. It really makes the S&W factory part look bad.....

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

Yes they are MIM.
Old style for me all the way.

I'll take the old type. It's a miniature work of art in and of itself. The new type has no class and style (or at least very little). Any kid in high school metal shop could make it.

I have replaced three of the new style with old style ones that I purchased on Midwayusa.com. I think that Brownell's has them as well.
I just like the look of the old style better.

Old style, prefer the look and feel.

The bottom one is on most new revolvers except they occasionally use a reproduction of the original style on some special runs or Classic Line guns. Being an oldie, I prefer the oldie.

Call me old fashioned but, I like the old styled one's best. I got a new style one on a 642 but that seems ok on a small gun.

I like the newer style and put it on all of my Smiths. I'm a lefty and it's easier and more comfortable to hit with the thumb of my right hand.

I have to admit, I agree with the Ruger style. As I'm left handed it makes it easer to open the cylinder. But I still love my 629.

I prefer the new style. It's interesting that the French Manurhin revolver has used the same style as the "new" S&W for decades. And the German Korth revolver has used the Ruger style cylinder release also for decades. Hmmmm??

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John

I like the looks of an older revolver with its old style, but I prefer to use the ergonomical new style.

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Inconsistently consistent

I am in the process of buying a 629-1 from a forum member. It has the new style, I have already called S&W and ordered the old style as a replacement. I have never shot or handled a S&W revolver with the new style, I just like the look of the older one. Is that being closed minded? Maybe. Is being addicted to the ones made from around 1980 and before also being closed minded? I don't think so. I just can't seem to feel good about owning anything that reminds me of the later ones. I bought a very nice 3.5 inch 27-8, blue, NIB about a year or more ago. The gun's finish was nice, the stocks had a rich, unusual grain. And it I thought that it had good balance. I had a good feeling about owning it when I was researching it and looking at the photos. But when I got it home, opened the case, I knew that I had made a mistake just because I didn't have that great feeling that the old ones gives me. On a good note, I was happy to sell it, and the new owner seemed happy to have found it. I am a retired public servant, and don't have the funds to go after the real, rare collectibles. So, visual appeal rules the day, and I just plain don't care for the newer ones. Seems like a small thing, don't it! DLB

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Be Kind! John 3:16,14:27

FWIW...

Back in the day, we used to cut down and polish the edges of the cyl release to help clear the speedloader.

Here is my old model 19 that I shot in competition...

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Death? Smile back...

As they come from the factory I don't like either of them. I grind away much of the bottom edge of the old style latch so that it doesn't tear up my thumb.

I must add that I have tried most of the aftermarket oversized latches and none of them does anything to increase the speed of my reloads. Some of them (like the Hogue) look downright ridiculous.

Dave Sinko

Would the SDM old style latch interfere with a speed loader on a 629?

What he said. I have that style on my Model 66 conversion (the infamous "Project 616" and wouldn't change it! In fact, my 686 ND is due to get one just like it very soon! Works for me!

Froggie

I guess me an OP (CSG) are the only two that like the Colts cylinder latch better. Taking it a step further, I like the older Colts that are checkered on the latch "knob". They discontined the checkering a long time ago. The old Bullseye shooter, shooting one handed, used that cylinder latch and the checkering to "push out" just a tad.

Today I almost shoot totally two handed and when shooting my old Colts that checkered thumb latch is kinda like the third leg on a stool. Don't get me wrong my Smith & Wessons outnumber my Colts 15 to 1 or better.

When I shoot Smiths I just push on the back of the recoil shield with my thumb tip instead. 6'6" with large hands that right thumb gotta go somewhere. You should see my hands after a hundred or so rounds. Looks like I been digging in a bag of charcoal.

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Bill
Dis B. Leaf

I prefer the old style, I have a new one on a 640-1 and it certainly doesn't bother me enough to consider changing it.

I like the Colt style, though I've never owned one. Almost bought a DS2 some years ago, and kind of wish I had.

I'm a Smith guy all the way, but I've owned a Security Six and a GP100 and the Ruger pushbutton is a great design.

I've never had a Smith with the flat latch or the new cutaway style. The middle style is fine with me--I can't shoot magnums anymore, and the latch gives me no problems with +P .38 Special.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I have a 625-8 that I bought a SDM "sharp as tack" old style release for. The reason is because the new style is concave and smooth. I found I had to slightly rotate my hand on the grip to get it to fully release. I put the old style on and now I can keep my shooting grip on the gun at all times. It does not get in the way of the IL. For 35 bucks you cant go wrong.

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Want a toy? Buy a plastic gun