Cylinder rotation direction questions

kozmic

kozmic

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So, to my limited pistol knowledge, it appears that the cylinders on all modern S&W revolvers (and my Ruger SP101) turn counter-clockwise. I know some single actions by both Colt and Ruger spin clockwise. I assume the SAA-type knockoffs are CW too(?)

Is there a hard/fast rule on single vs double action rotation or is it a just an individual manufacturing preference or as I've heard, an old patent issue between S&W and Colt?

I know a couple companies make left handed revolvers. Do they spin opposite their right handed stablemates?

Anyway, just wondering as a sit here watching the snow fall and waiting to plow my driveway again today! :mad:
 
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kozmic said:
So, to my limited pistol knowledge, it appears that the cylinders on all modern S&W revolvers (and my Ruger SP101) turn counter-clockwise. I know some single actions by both Colt and Ruger spin clockwise. I assume the SAA-type knockoffs are CW too(?)

Is there a hard/fast rule on single vs double action rotation or is it a just an individual manufacturing preference or as I've heard, an old patent issue between S&W and Colt?

I know a couple companies make left handed revolvers. Do they spin opposite their right handed stablemates?

Anyway, just wondering as a sit here watching the snow fall and waiting to plow my driveway again today! :mad:
Click to expand...

All Colt DA revolvers I have seen are clockwise.

Let’s face it there are only two ways a cylinder can turn, Companies have their limited choices!:D

As far as plowing we are facing 12" to 18+" with a serious possibility of the finish (tomorrow AM)being some serious freezing rain.:eek:
 
Actually, most Rugers spin counter clockwise too.
There are a few Red Hawks and others like your SP101 that spin clockwise, most were made for overseas.
Easy way to tell at a glance which way a cylinder rotates is to see which way the scallop on the locking notch points.
It'll point in the direction of spin.
 
Gunslinger808 said:
Actually, most Rugers spin counter clockwise too.
There are a few Red Hawks and others like your SP101 that spin clockwise, most were made for overseas.
Easy way to tell at a glance which way a cylinder rotates is to see which way the scallop on the locking notch points.
It'll point in the direction of spin.
Click to expand...

Ruger has sold a lot of guns "overseas", but I've never heard of the cylinders rotating any differently than the same model does here.

The DA's rotate left, as do S&W's. The SA's rotate right. All Colts, DA or SA, rotate right. Webleys and Enfields rotate right.

Where did you get that info about "overseas" Rugers rotating right?! Even those sold in Australia rotate the usual way. Revolvers aren't like sink drains!
 
Well, my mistake then, I've seen several Rugers in Europe that rotate Clock Wise.
The ones I saw were in Spain.
 
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The new S&W "Bodyguard" 38 cylinder rotates to the right.

It also has a few other design quirks, such as the location of the cylinder release.
 
NYlakesider said:
As far as plowing we are facing 12" to 18+" with a serious possibility of the finish (tomorrow AM)being some serious freezing rain.:eek:
Click to expand...

Yep! We are sending it your way! We started with freezing rain and sleet early and have about 6"+ inches of wet snow Even though the storm is coming up out of the SW the wind is blowing a hard and steady 25mph out of the NE. Visibility is about 400 feet. It's all that was advertised!

I had planned to work 'til noon, but I sent everyone home at 9:30. The weather went in the crapper quickly this morning. Tomorrow will be a different adventure.

Stay safe up there!!!!!
 
kozmic said:
Yep! We are sending it your way! We started with freezing rain and sleet early and have about 6"+ inches of wet snow Even though the storm is coming up out of the SW the wind is blowing a hard and steady 25mph out of the NE. Visibility is about 400 feet. It's all that was advertised!

I had planned to work 'til noon, but I sent everyone home at 9:30. The weather went in the crapper quickly this morning. Tomorrow will be a different adventure.

Stay safe up there!!!!!/
Thanks, and you also keep it safe!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Rpg said:
I believe that Colt's original patent was for a right rotating cylinder. The Smith opposite rotation was just a way to dodge the Colt patent.
Click to expand...

My understanding was; S&W had a patent on a DA revolver, so Colt build their DA with a CW rotation!?!?!?!?:confused::confused:
 
Single action revolvers rotate toward the loading gate, which is normally on the right. This is important if you have an old gun that needed to be carried on an empty chamber. The empty chamber could be filled by going to half cock and turning one click.

I think Colt stuck with the tradition of clockwise rotation for hand ejector type guns simply because that's the way they always did it.

Counterclockwise rotation does make sense on a hand ejector gun when the yolk and cylinder swing open to the left. the idea is to have the most recently fired chambers present themselves for reloading first.
 
Gunslinger808 said:
Well, my mistake then, I've seen several Rugers in Europe that rotate Clock Wise.
The ones I saw were in Spain.
Click to expand...

Did you personally handle them? Ensure that they were actually Rugers? Which models? REAL guns, not replicas?

That would be so remarkable that I may call Ruger to confirm.

The Manhurhin MR-88 is based on the Security-Six, with changes, but I think rotates left. If Swissman sees this, he may reply. I think he owns one.
 
Go back to the late 1880s, early 1890s and note which way Colt and Smith did their swing-out cylinder models for early Army contracts.

The Colt frame plate was on the right and the cylinder turned counter clockwise.

Or maybe both were early Spanish guns. :o
 
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UncleEd said:
Go back to the late 1880s, early 1890s and note which way Colt and Smith did their swing-out cylinder models for early Army contracts.

The Colt frame plate was on the right and the cylinder turned counter clockwise.

Or maybe both were early Spanish guns. :o
Click to expand...


The Colt New Army and New Navy cylinders did turn left. But by the end of the first decade of the 20th Century, I think all Colts turned right.

Otherwise, without S&W's front cylinder lock, outward pressure on the crane during cocking stresses the mechanism. That's why S&W developed the front lock and the Triple Lock for one model

Ruger's later DA guns use a crane lock, similar in some ways to the Triple Lock. It is a very durable system, quite ingenious.

Be aware that the old DA Colts mentioned will accept a .357 Magnum round in the chambers, which have no shoulders. A high school chum had one and we discovered that. Fortunately, we checked and found out that the guns ARE NOT strong enough for .357 ammo, which did not even exist yet when they were made.
 
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pineappleshooter said:
Isn't it like the water in the toilet going a different direction if you are North or South of the equator?;)
Click to expand...

I'll have to check that if I'm ever in New Zealand again.

My Colt Army DA 38, Model 1903, in 38 Long Colt, has the sideplate on the right and the cylinder rotation is to the left.
 
pineappleshooter said:
Isn't it like the water in the toilet going a different direction if you are North or South of the equator?;)
Click to expand...

I've read something about the Coriolis Effect not applying to items as small as drains & toilets. Supposedly the direction of rotation is actually determined by the shape/movement of the vessel & liquid.

I know my tub drains anti clockwise. My toilet doesn't swirl at all.

Never really paid a lot of attention before but now my interest is piqued... ;)
 
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