It's been a while since I've posted here. I read stuff but I don't have a lot to offer. Now I have an issue and I'd appreciate some input.

I have three J-Frames. A Model 38, a Model 642-2, and the latest addition, a Model 442.

The issue is with the 442.

I have a habit when I load a revolver to spin the cylinder before I close it. I don't know why, I suppose that it's because I grew up watching Hawaii Five-O (watch the opening credits).

Anyway . . . .I noticed that with the 442, when the cylinder is loaded, open, and rotated the case rims rub against the little dohickey that sticks out from the frame (I'm guessing that its function is to keep the cylinder from falling off).

I checked the other two J frames and they don't do this. I suppose that their dohickies are smaller.

Anyone else run across this? Is something that I should fuss over?

Thanks.

Break the spin habbit. Problem solved. Doohickey..very funny.. I believe you are referring to the cylinder stop.

If the cylinder does not have excessive endshake (movement back and forth on the yoke), the hangup there is probably just normal production variation. That part is called the "frame lug", which used to be a separate part but is now just a little extra projecting material on the left frame.

One good way to prevent endshake, among other problems, is to resist the urge to flick the cylinder shut after spinning it. Always enjoyed the clicking sound the spinning makes in the movies, just like a Colt SAA.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I never noticed this before now but I checked my 340PD against my Model 37 & Model 60. The latter are older J frames and you’re right, my guess is the frames have changed slightly over time. FWIW I will rotate, slowly, the cylinder after loading to ensure I do not have a high primer (never w/an internal hammer model) but never spin it.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Never flick. I cringe when I see private eyes in old movies flip the cylinder open and the flick it closed.

Yeah, dohickey. It definitely is not a thingamabob or a watchacallit.

I went to a Home Depot a few weeks ago and bought a little part to extend a rod for a lamp shade. The clerk asked me if I found everything I needed and I told her I found my dohickey just fine. She said, "Yeah, we have a whole row of them."

I have the same problem with one of my 36-1 where the rim of the case will hit the lug.

Electrical people drop the "do" :-)
Light HICKEY | Lamp HICKEY - MyLampParts.com

So back to the topic at hand . . .

This seems to be something that I shouldn't be worrying about. No need to send it back to S&W for repairs.

My old pinned barrel Model 60 does it too. Case heads just touches the frame lug, but the cylinder can still be rotated with ease.

I don't worry about it.

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S&W J/K/L/N/X

Where are you guys talking about? I'm not picturing this......

The first 2 pics are of my Model 60, here the case heads touch the frame lug when the cylinder is swung out.

Pic 3 illustrates the clearance in the same spot on a larger frame revolver.

Attached Images

	SAM_2396.jpg (80.2 KB, 153 views)
	SAM_2404.jpg (77.6 KB, 143 views)
	SAM_2399.jpg (72.2 KB, 139 views)

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S&W J/K/L/N/X

No, it is not a problem. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I'm gonna go check this out on my 442......

Absolutely no need to send back to S&W. Many of J's do this.

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Centennial Every Day

Hello, I have the same issue with my S&W model 60 (no dash). I was pointed to this thread from another forum where I asked the exact same question.

I can see a very slight 'lip' as if the bottom of the frame lug has moved out a bit. I used a brass hammer and also tried a brass punch, but it did not move. The 'lip' appears to correspond to the overlap between the rim & lug.

Though a few have said that it is not a problem and that many older J-frames do this, I would like to have the issue fixed. I tend to agree with someone on the other forum who said that anything which potentially interferes with a reload/case ejection is an issue that needs to be addressed. Especially since a J-frame only has a 5 round capacity.

Any suggestions as to how to fix it at home? Or will this need to be a job for a gun smith or the factory?

Thank you

Photoman 44 is absolutely right,no need to send it anywhere.
Dick

Hmm. I had to go check my 642-1 and 640 Pro. Neither have that lug.

My 442 will make a faint clicking noise if I spin the cylinder. I would imagine it's the cases rubbing up against that tab. I thought they all kind of did that.

I had a model 36 once where the frame lug was so proud that it would hang up the round at that chamber preventing ejection. I had to file it down and cold blue it.

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Tony

"Flicking" it shut is the best way I know to spring a crane, and anyone who does this is demonstrating his absolute ignorance of gun handling.

What clicking sound do you refer to? If the cylinder is out and you spin it there should be no noise; it just spins.

The reason a SAA clicks is the hand is riding over the ratchet, but that doesn't happen on a swing-out when the cylinder is swung out.

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Richard

Spinning the Cylinder on a SAA (Colt) is not recommended, nor swinging the Cylinder on a SW as noted in above Posts. I watched a fool do that to a Early Mdl 29 4 inch, snapped it shut and it became tight to turn the next firing cycle....go figure.