S&W has never instructed or recommended removal of the cylinder for regular cleaning.
Removing the cylinder/crane every time you clean a revolver
- Thread starter BB213
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Hopper
Member
Same here, and for the same reasons. Especially with the NM 66 in both 4.25" and 2.75", no gas ring typically means a fair bit of carbon crud in the cylinder. I also put either masking or electrical tape around the screw before removing/re-inserting. Even with the correct size screwdriver, one slip = a scratch you have to live with for a while.
bmcgilvray
Member
I've only been cleaning some of the same revolver favorites for 35-40 years. Because they are the favorites they are used more often. They are cleaned after each use, whether it's a long afternoon's plinking session in the country or a single shot essayed in the direction of a nuisance skunk. When cleaning them, it is found to be much more convenient and thorough to remove the cylinder. I'm happy and the revolvers are happy.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
If I shoot more than one cylinder load at a session I remove the cylinder. If not then I just run a Hoppes #9 soaked patch through the chambers, then dry ones and finally wipe down the whole revolver.
ContinentalOp
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For routine cleaning, no. Every couple of years I remove it for cleaning. While it hasn't happened to me yet, if cylinder rotation starts becoming sluggish I would remove it for cleaning. Otherwise, I see no reason to do it. Same thing with opening the sideplate.
Cleaning? What's this "cleaning" y'all are talking about? 
I admit that I'm not obsessive about cleaning my firearms. My goals are to prevent rust and to remove leading or Cu fouling to make sure that they retain their accuracy. Beyond that, dirt doesn't bug me. My firearms get used a lot, so I don't want to make a career of cleaning.
With that said, I will do an occasional deep clean. Not just removing the cylinder, but the sideplate too. Remove the guts and get 'er really clean and lightly lubed. No different than a car. Sometimes you just wash it, on occasion you detail it.
I admit that I'm not obsessive about cleaning my firearms. My goals are to prevent rust and to remove leading or Cu fouling to make sure that they retain their accuracy. Beyond that, dirt doesn't bug me. My firearms get used a lot, so I don't want to make a career of cleaning.
With that said, I will do an occasional deep clean. Not just removing the cylinder, but the sideplate too. Remove the guts and get 'er really clean and lightly lubed. No different than a car. Sometimes you just wash it, on occasion you detail it.
That's just another opportunity for me to drop a screw and spend the rest of my retirement looking for it.
When I was in the police academy in 1986 we were issued model 10's and were instructed to remove the cylinder for proper cleaning. It has just stuck with me.
^^^^what he (they) said! A police duty sidearm is exposed to the elements and stresses that the enthusiast's gun is usually not. I said 'usually.' Rain, snow, condensation from temperature drops, exhaust crud from vehicles, impacts from falling and banging into doors, etc. It can be helpful to learn how to clean thoroughly. Remove cylinder: maybe, if you know how. Pop a sideplate: let the armorer do that!
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
StakeOut
US Veteran
About 70% of the time I do remove the cylinder/yoke assembly after each range session.
The times that I don't remove it are usually when I shot only 10 rounds testing a new load.
To me,the hardest place to clean is the burn marks on the side of the cylinder.The front of the cylinder is left mostly as is for about 5+ shooting sessions.I've found that applying a little case lube on the cylinder before firing helps make the after range cleaning a bit easier.
For the cylinder holes I use a bore brush one size larger than the gun's caliber.In the .45cal cylinder holes I use a 50cal brush etc.
A really nice 3" 13-2 I bought last Saturday is presently residing in a tub of Marvel Mystery Oil with stocks removed of coarse.I'll leave it in there about 5 days before lubing it for a range session.
The times that I don't remove it are usually when I shot only 10 rounds testing a new load.
To me,the hardest place to clean is the burn marks on the side of the cylinder.The front of the cylinder is left mostly as is for about 5+ shooting sessions.I've found that applying a little case lube on the cylinder before firing helps make the after range cleaning a bit easier.
For the cylinder holes I use a bore brush one size larger than the gun's caliber.In the .45cal cylinder holes I use a 50cal brush etc.
A really nice 3" 13-2 I bought last Saturday is presently residing in a tub of Marvel Mystery Oil with stocks removed of coarse.I'll leave it in there about 5 days before lubing it for a range session.
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I remove the cylinder on all guns for each cleaning, except the model 63. For it I just run a bore snake through all the chambers and barrel. Never had any problems with screws or yokes by taking the cylinder out of the gun.
I use a chamber brush chucked in a quarter inch drill to clean the chambers , so I know it is safer to do so with the cylinder out than trying to do it with the cylinder still installed in the gun.
I use a chamber brush chucked in a quarter inch drill to clean the chambers , so I know it is safer to do so with the cylinder out than trying to do it with the cylinder still installed in the gun.
Kinda depends on how dirty and how much time I have if a detailed disassembly is done. Usually not, but some times may involve not just yoke/cylinder but also side plate and innards.
pokey074
Member
I used to remove the cylinder for cleaning until I dropped one one time and chipped an extractor star. S&W was kind enough to fix it for free but I'll never remove a cylinder for routine cleaning ever again. Absolutely no reason. A nylon GLOCK bore brush chucked into my cordless drill while I hold the gun by the cylinder makes short work of the chambers. I could maybe see removing it once a year for a deep cleaning.
The revolver is not designed to have the cylinder removed every time you clean it, nor is it necessary.
snowman
Member
Sir,
To answer your question, if it is done carefully each and every time, there will probably be no harm done. The problem is related to Mr. Murphy -accidents, mistakes, inattentiveness, poor lighting, age-related eyesight deterioration, shaky hands from who knows what, etc., etc., etc. If all that and more can be avoided the rest of our days -OK. A number of folks who have responded have done so thus far. I've probably exaggerated the risk, too.
But I've never seen the difficulty involved in leaving the cylinder in the frame. All I do is lay the gun on its right side on the bench, open the cylinder, wrap a rag around the grips to prevent solvent from contacting them, and hold the cylinder firmly between the thumb and index finger of one hand while working the cleaning rod back and forth with the other. This removes the stress on the yoke mentioned earlier, if that is a concern. Nothing to it, as I see it.
Best wishes in resolving the issue,
Andy
daddio202
Member
I only remove cylinder maybe once a year for a good clean and lube so that works out to once every 40 range sessions. Too much to remove my cylinders 50 times a year. I use ramrodz caliber specific wooden dowel Q-tips to clean cylinders and barrels. If it's really grimey maybe a brass brush. That's just my way of doing it cause a lot of the weeks I get out twice a week to the range. Thankfully I have acquired around 50 guns now to spread out the load so none of my good revolvers get too much shooting time.
oysterer
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leave it
I take the cylinder and crane out maybe once per year, maybe less or never.
I do it first when I take possession and but some grease on the pivot surfaces but then leave it alone.
I mean if the cranes can take battering from unto 44 mag, a few brush strokes will be fine. Better than wearing our crews and threads.
I take the cylinder and crane out maybe once per year, maybe less or never.
I do it first when I take possession and but some grease on the pivot surfaces but then leave it alone.
I mean if the cranes can take battering from unto 44 mag, a few brush strokes will be fine. Better than wearing our crews and threads.
StakeOut
US Veteran
I'm wondering if some people here are afraid of taking their firearms apart?
It's so simple and you won't hurt the gun unless your name is Bubba,I promise.
A target gun maybe not so important unless using in competitions but an EDC....
I've bought used guns that were never disassembled for a thorough cleaning and lube in 20 years or more that previous owners had them.
Now they're squeaky clean.
It's so simple and you won't hurt the gun unless your name is Bubba,I promise.
A target gun maybe not so important unless using in competitions but an EDC....
I've bought used guns that were never disassembled for a thorough cleaning and lube in 20 years or more that previous owners had them.
Now they're squeaky clean.
I have a m17 that I bought new in 64. I don't clean the gun after
each use in cold weather but I do in the summer. I have taken
cylinder out every time it's been cleaned. 100s of times and still
has original screw. No signs of wear from doing this. My other
bigger caliber guns I do take apart and clean almost every time
I shoot them. Unless I know that I will be shooting again in near
future. Use the proper tools and cleaning accessories and I don't
believe you are going to harm the gun. I other words I'm not
going to put gun away dirty for extended periods of time, and
for proper cleaning cylinder has to come out. When I 1st got my
17 as a kid, me and my dad were plinking and were a good ways
into a brick of 22s. Gun got to be sluggish to cock, dad said don't
mess with it, we were going to Smith anyway over a shotgun.
We were embarrassed when Smith told us there was nothing
wrong with it except it was dirty. We had wiped off cylinder face
but that wasn't enough. Smith dropped out the cylinder and
cleaned the assembly, put back in and it run like a champ. That
started me dropping cylinder from then on.
each use in cold weather but I do in the summer. I have taken
cylinder out every time it's been cleaned. 100s of times and still
has original screw. No signs of wear from doing this. My other
bigger caliber guns I do take apart and clean almost every time
I shoot them. Unless I know that I will be shooting again in near
future. Use the proper tools and cleaning accessories and I don't
believe you are going to harm the gun. I other words I'm not
going to put gun away dirty for extended periods of time, and
for proper cleaning cylinder has to come out. When I 1st got my
17 as a kid, me and my dad were plinking and were a good ways
into a brick of 22s. Gun got to be sluggish to cock, dad said don't
mess with it, we were going to Smith anyway over a shotgun.
We were embarrassed when Smith told us there was nothing
wrong with it except it was dirty. We had wiped off cylinder face
but that wasn't enough. Smith dropped out the cylinder and
cleaned the assembly, put back in and it run like a champ. That
started me dropping cylinder from then on.
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