I just bought a 19-5 with a 4" barrel off of gunbroker.com last week. The weapon came in great shape. Bluing in 99%, original grips are perfect, and it's a sweet shooter.

The cylinder locks up tighter than any S&W revolver I have ever owned. No end shake or cylinder play at all when the cylinder is locked in with the hammer cocked. Only my 66-2 comes close to locking up that tightly in the over 20+ S&W revolvers I own.

The only thing that concerns me is that when the cylinder is open, there is a lot of forward/aft movement of the cylinder. Most of my revolvers have a little play in the cylinder when it's open, however this revolver has more than I have ever seen.

My question is is this of any concern? Is there such a thing as to much forward/aft movement with the cylinder open? Like I said before, this gun does lock up tighter than any revolver I have owned before, with no end shake, period.

Thanks for the info.

Some of mine have more than others.. define a lot..

I only shoot mine with the cylinder locked into the frame. Wouldn't concern me.

I only shoot mine with the cylinder locked in too I was just asking a question. Now I am sorry I did. I am not an expert on the mechanics of revolvers, but I am learning. I should have known the first response I received would be a ridiculous remark.

When the cyl is open, you are actually just feeling the gauge between the contact with the end of the yoke barrel when the cyl is pushed forward..... and contact with the frame lug when the cylinder is pulled to the rear. Not a concern/normal behavior.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Excellent. Thank you for the helpful and informative response.

You just can't handle the truth... my answer is the same as others only a little more blunt.

Bigggbbruce did have a good question though (and I am sure he did not mean to give offense with his posting -- he just having a little fun). How much movement are we talking about? If it's more than just a little "clicking" back and forth, I'd check the screw that holds the yoke in.

Good information. Thank you.

I do not have the proper tool to measure the exact amount of movement of the cylinder when it is not latched to the frame. I would say it is roughly double that of the rest of my S&W revolvers that I own. That is what lead to my concern. I will just have my gunsmith take a quick look next time I am at the range. But like most have said here, it's probably nothing.