Remove S&W Revolver Cylinder for Cleaning?

mikemyers · Oct 3, 2020

Since the late 1970's, I was taught, and from then on I always cleaned, my revolvers (S&W Models 29, 14, 17, and 19) by first removing the cylinder. I now have a 1980 Python to go along with my revolvers, but in the Python forum, it was suggested that the revolver be cleaned without removing the cylinder.

It's so easy to do, and seems to make the cleaning job all that much easier, that I don't understand any reluctance to removing the cylinder as one of the first steps.

So, I'm asking the question here - do you guys and gals clean your revolvers with the cylinder in place, or detached from the gun? ......and why?

PeterJ · Oct 3, 2020

ALWAYS take it off,,, I would ask, why not ?

H Richard · Oct 3, 2020

If I have fired just a couple cylinder's full, I don't take it off. For a full cleaning I do remove it.

UncleEd · Oct 3, 2020

Leave it on. Easy enough to
clean without removing it.

Perhaps if cylinder feels sluggish
or once a year, then remove it.

A drop or so of Rem Oil around the
bushing once in a while doesn't
hurt.

But if removing it makes you happy
by all means do so. Just don't over
lube or oil before reassembling.

MR.G · Oct 3, 2020

I remove the cylinder for cleaning. Sometimes the side plate and internals.

rubiranch · Oct 4, 2020

I like a clean gun and this is pretty standard cleaning for me.

All I'm missing is my cup of coffee.

They're just soo much nicer when they're clean.

Goblin · Oct 4, 2020

For Pythons, all other Colts and S&Ws, I remove the cylinder for cleaning.

kenjen · Oct 4, 2020

along with the cylinder I also remove the stocks

just plain joe · Oct 4, 2020

When cleaning any revolver after a shooting session, I remove the cylinder. I clean and lubricate the yoke as there seems to be carbon fouling buildup there. I don't believe that you need to do this each time. Before doing this many years ago, I occasionally experienced a slight drag on cylinder rotation. I believe that this was due in part to carbon/grit and/or lack of lubrication. After I started with this cleaning regimen I no longer had this problem.

My only caution to you is to be certain to use the correct size screwdriver to remove the side plate screw retaining the yoke.

HTH.

JPJ.

rockquarry · Oct 4, 2020

When the cylinder doesn't revolve very freely, there is obviously a lack of lubricant (or maybe gummy lubricant) and perhaps some grime that needs removal. I remove the cylinder at that point and give everything the needed attention. Virtually all of my revolvers have seen a good bit of firing and all are far from new; most I've had more than thirty years.

I've never thought to take note of how often I remove a cylinder for cleaning, but would guess about every two-three years, certainly not any more often than that.

gnystrom · Oct 4, 2020

I see no reason to bugger up any screws and remove the cylinder on routine cleanings. Spray lubes and compressed air are my friends.
Yes, I have a complete set of S&W screwdrivers but bad s**t happens.

PALADIN85020 · Oct 4, 2020

I always remove the cylinder before cleaning. Not only is it easier to clean, but it also puts no strain on the yoke (crane). If it's mishandled in closing the cylinder (flipped shut rather than pressed in) the misalignment can cause real problems. Same principle applies here. Take it out carefully.

John

ZGrand · Oct 4, 2020

I always take the cylinder out. Makes it easier to clean the burn marks off the front of the cylinder.

Krogen · Oct 4, 2020

There's gonna be a lot of opinions on this one! First off, I'm not obsessive about cleaning a gun each and every time I fire it. GASP! Certainly I understand those who do clean each time. For those in the service to our country, Uncle Sam settles for nothing less.

For a "light cleaning" I leave the cylinder in place. I always remove the stocks. Leaving the cylinder in place is a little awkward, though. A thorough cleaning means removing and disassembling the cylinder. Once in a blue moon, I pop the sideplate and clean/relube the guts.

Call me crazy, or another name of your choosing. It works for me. Removing the sideplate isn't that big of a deal as many might have you believe. Just use the right tools and technique. And cleaning after every firing isn't (IMNHO) needed.

mod29 · Oct 4, 2020

Forty-odd years of shooting S&W revolvers and I've never once removed the cylinder on any of 'em for cleaning.

They are carefully cleaned and oiled after shooting, and continue to function perfectly.

dave1918a2 · Oct 4, 2020

I always remove the cylinder.

Old cop · Oct 4, 2020

mod29 said:
Forty-odd years of shooting S&W revolvers and I've never once removed the cylinder on any of 'em for cleaning.

They are carefully cleaned and oiled after shooting, and continue to function perfectly.

Been shooting revolvers over 50 yrs & have never removed the cylinder, likely b/c I’m not mechanically inclined and fear something going awry, but they all still run perfectly.

jc2721 · Oct 4, 2020

Python owners (or wannabes) are so obsessive about the finish of their guns that whomever told you to not remove the cylinder was probably afraid of buggering up the screw or (gasp!) scratching the precious....

I'm surprised that some even shoot their Pythons, particularly the status seeking newbies. FWIW, my first centerfire handgun was a Python (second was a 4" 66) and I've owned 4 or 5 others. Shot that first one quite a bit, wish I still had it (but that's another story).

Python forum? LOL

Clean your guns the way you're used to doing it, it'll be fine.

sigp220.45 · Oct 4, 2020

I almost never remove the cylinder. Ok, you got me. I never remove the cylinder.

Rpg · Oct 4, 2020

I’m a bit of a slob when it comes to cleaning guns.

Back in my high school rifle team days, I got in huge trouble for cleaning my Winchester 52C during the season: Sargent Shaw made me do pushups before each daily practice for weeks!

He wanted to impress on me how undesirable and unnecessary it was to clean a well seasoned barrel in the middle of the competitive season.

In the ensuing 55+ years, I’ve followed Sgt. Shaw’s ‘advice’ and resisted the impulse to muck about with guns that are working well.

I’ve routinely run 500+ rounds through my 1911’s between cleaning; I wipe my shotguns down after use during the season and take care of the finish and grease the hinge pin (I use Parker guns) but only clean them at the end of the season, and I wipe my edc daily with a lightly oiled rag.

I don’t disassemble revolvers to clean them.

Remove S&W Revolver Cylinder for Cleaning?

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