Roller Action

SAFireman · #1 12-16-2009, 05:12 PM

Many years ago (okay, like 10 maybe...) Cylinder and Slide was making what they called a roller kit for S&W revolvers. I tried to get drawings or pictures (since they no longer so that kind of work). Does anyone here have one? or perhaps photos or drawings of the kit? I am looking to reproduce at least one kit for myself...any ideas?

bmcgilvray · #2 12-16-2009, 05:17 PM

The only experience I had with one was with a Model 29 that my brother-in-law has. He bought the revolver with the roller kit installed. He took it out. It really offers nothing over a revolver that has been used a bit and is properly lubricated.

38-44HD45 · #3 12-16-2009, 05:19 PM

Brownell's sold the kits up until a few years ago. Don't know if C&S still makes them. I always thought they were too expensive for the advantage gained, which, as Bryan noted, isn't much.

SAFireman · #4 12-16-2009, 05:26 PM

Wow that was quick...I guess that what I had heard about that kit is not worth the effort.

I had heard that they were being used by competition shooters back about 20 years ago and that they took loads of friction off of double action...I guess that I will stick with polishing the surfaces and skip the bearings.

Thanks guys.

davidj · #5 12-16-2009, 05:39 PM

Power Crane Ball & Spring Kit w/Punch [PC-REV-007] - $17.50 : GrandMasters L.L.C., GrandMasters L.L.C.

I thought it was just to give a little extra support up front since you normally lose the lockup at the front of the ejector rod when you put a custom barrel on.

SAFireman · #6 12-16-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidj

Power Crane Ball & Spring Kit w/Punch [PC-REV-007] - $17.50 : GrandMasters L.L.C., GrandMasters L.L.C.

I thought it was just to give a little extra support up front since you normally lose the lockup at the front of the ejector rod when you put a custom barrel on.

David,

The Roller Kit was designed to take friction out of the double action cycle. What you found is a ball bearing that takes some slop out of the crane. Good effort. Thanks

Jim Watson · #7 12-16-2009, 06:28 PM

Friend of mine had one of those drop-in sets on a gun. It was a help to the DA but no more than what a good conventional action job would do. Probably not as much improvement as a superior conventional action job.
Another guy here had one of the Sherman roller actions in a Colt Trooper. It was a joy to shoot until the roller bound up and skidded instead of rolling, which it would do at random. Did it need cleaning and lubrication or rebuilding? I don't know.

davidj · #8 12-16-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAFireman

David,

The Roller Kit was designed to take friction out of the double action cycle. What you found is a ball bearing that takes some slop out of the crane. Good effort. Thanks

OK.....NOW I get it. Curious if these do exist still...

handgunner356 · #9 12-16-2009, 07:23 PM

Back when PPC was strictly revolvers they were a little more popular, but I bet C&S hasn't made them for at least 6 or 7 years now. They were pretty pricey it seems somewere around $150-175 as I recall.

GLV · #10 12-17-2009, 08:52 PM

We tried one many years ago--Way too much money for way to little improvement.

Scrapper · #11 12-17-2009, 09:11 PM

Sounds like something else to wear out for little gain.

tomcatt51 · #12 12-18-2009, 12:52 AM

The roller actions are one of the things I never bought and wish I had bought one of. My understanding was they worked pretty well but had issues keeping the roller rolling not skidding.

Twist · #13 12-22-2009, 08:03 AM

The roller action was an answer to the question that never needed to be asked.... the only thing it ever achieved was a lightened hip pocket.
I had one once.... not for long though.
A better option was the coil spring conversion for K frame PPC guns.

Best one I ever had was on a Frank Glenn built gun - reliable with every small pistol primer I could find. It had a 5lb DA that was buttery smooth and I never had a missfire in over 50K rounds.