Hey guys! Well I bought a Model 638-2 in like-new condition the other day. It was made in 1997 and comes without an internal lock which is why I bought it, but it comes with the "new style" modern cylinder release thumb latch. This is the triangular looking latch that comes on S&W revolvers nowadays.

I don't like it, and don't think it looks right on any pre-lock S&W handgun. So, I went over to Numrich gun parts and ordered a stainless "old style" J-frame cylinder release and I plan to install it on the gun. It will really look nice and classy especially with the wood magna grips I'm putting on it as well.

Anybody else ever change their new style cylinder release to the old style? Anybody see a problem with it? I'll keep the original release (the new style) for resale purposes, but like I said I much prefer the classic old style release.

Any thoughts?

I don't like the "new" style thumb piece either, so I have replaced them with the older style, as to me, they look much nicer also. I rarely use speedloaders , which the new style thumb piece was designed for.

I don't think the new one gives as much leverage/ power in opening the gun, and my thumb is more likely to slip.

I've heard this isn't really so, that the old piece was just fine for loaders. Not to worry as I use Bianchi's Speed Strips for reloading my baby J's.

To be honest, I never had a problem using speed loaders with the older thumb piece, the problem was with certain sets of stocks.

I swapped out the thumb piece on my 29-6 with the old style. Works just fine. I believe there are different sizes though.

I prefer the old style thumb piece, installed one on my 340 M&P. The new style always cut my thumb, the old style doesn't. I never noticed any difference in using speed loaders with either.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

Is it considered "not kosher" to change this part out to the old style? Like I said if I ever sell it I'll put the "new" style one back one so it will be "correct" for it's model number (638-2).

I wouldn't worry about it, if it works for you that's all that counts. Besides, there are a lot of people who wouldn't even notice. That being said, I would switch the thumb piece back if you sold it so that you would still have the old style thumb piece to put on your next revolver. I've been thinking of getting a spare 340, and I already have a old style thumb piece in the parts box waiting for it.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

I have S&W revolvers with 3 different styles. Plus a couple of Colts that work backwards. None of them bother me. Stocks, on the other hand, well that's another story.

Nice. I've heard of several people changing out the cylinder release levers and was just checking to make sure it wasn't an affront to the S&W gods LOL!