Wear in cylinder notches.

teemumm · Oct 27, 2009

I got some time ago used 686-3. Some of the cylinder notches have wear in them as seen in photo below. I don't know about the history of the gun, but probably the previous owner has pressed the trigger very fast in DA. Otherwise the gun is in very good condition. Cylinder locking bolt seems to be perfect. No problems with timing and the cylinder is locked without much play when fired.

Is this something I should worry about and could this cause problems later although the gun is working perfectly now?

Gunhacker · Oct 27, 2009

That usually is an indication of a slight timing problem.

When the gun is being cocked, the hand pushes on the ratches on the ejector and rotates the cylinder into position for the bolt to engage the notch. That indentation is from the bolt being forced upward into a slightly out of position notch.

It's possible the problem was corrected and those marks are left over from the initial problem, since you say it appears to be working fine.

The indentations can't be machined out as that would widen the notch too much.

But the problem could have also "resolved" itself for the time being because the bolt and cylinder notches have since worn enough to compensate for the misalignment.

I'd have it checked out for peace of mind.

Gun 4 Fun · Oct 27, 2009

Welcome to the forum!

I see you must have read my post to you over on TFL.

I respectfully disagree with the above post. The marks are definately from the action having been cycled very fast, and the cylinder stop isn't able to pop up quick enough to hit the bottom of the notch. The cylinder is rotating too quickly for the stop to properly raise directly into the notch, and hits the back side of the notch causing the problem in your picture. I have seen it several times on the guns of people I know personally. Cocking the gun in a slower controlled fashion in SA mode helps belay the onset of this too.

As long as you don't continuously cycle the action fast like someone obviously has in the past, it'll be fine. A lot revo's get those marks, and if the gun keeps getting cycled to fast, the action's lockup will become too loose, and timing poor since the notch has been effectively widened by the peening. As it is right now, your gun should be just fine. Just take better care of it than somebody else did prior to you. A lot of guy watch Jerry Miculek video's, then try to copy him. He has factory backing and can have parts replaced as often as necessary, while most of us can't, so just treat the gun normally and enjoy it. It won't hurt it to be fired DA either, just don't practice speed shooting DA style.

Glock17 · Oct 27, 2009

Cylinder Notches

I have a 686-4 that has the same problem !!!! Timing is no issue,just
don't like the looks of the notches burred and damaged.

Bullseye Smith · Oct 27, 2009

Gun 4 Fun said:
Welcome to the forum!

I see you must have read my post to you over on TFL.

I respectfully disagree with the above post. The marks are definately from the action having been cycled very fast, and the cylinder stop isn't able tp pop up quick enough to hit the bottom of the notch. The cylinder is rotating too quickly for the stop to properly raise directly into the notch, and hits the back side of the notch causing the problem in your picture. I have seen it several times on the guns of people I know personally. Cocking the gun in a slower controlled fashion in SA mode helps belay the onset of this too.

As long as you don't continuously cycle the action fast like someone obviously has in the past, it'll be fine. A lot revo's get those marks, and if the gun keeps getting cycled to fast, the action's lockup will become too loose, and timing poor since the notch has been effectively widened by the peening. As it is right now, your gun should be just fine. Just take better care of it than somebody else did prior to you. A lot of guy watch Jerry Miculek video's, then try to copy him. He has factory backing and can have parts replaced as often as necessary, while most of us can't, so just treat the gun normally and enjoy it. It won't hurt it to be fired DA neither, just don't practice speed shooting DA style.

He is 100% right about it, you can just replace with a new one for two or three bucks. Don't worry - be happy

.

OKFC05 · Oct 27, 2009

Familiar sight on IDPA and USPSA revolvers. Eventually it can cause skipping.
Stops and stop springs are cheap.
You can lessen the impact on the cylinder by grinding the lead-in ramps longer. New cylinders are not so cheap.

Believe it or not, rapid dry-firing causes this damage more than the actual shooting in most cases.

snowman · Oct 27, 2009

Can someone tell me if stronger springs for the stop bolt are available? That would help, wouldn't it? I have a 63 with just one notch like that.

Andy

SW357Addict · Oct 27, 2009

snowman said:
Can someone tell me if stronger springs for the stop bolt are available? That would help, wouldn't it? I have a 63 with just one notch like that.

Andy

Yes, stronger springs for the cylinder stop are available. Wolff springs sells extra power cylinder stop springs.

magnum12pm · Oct 27, 2009

If the cylinder is worn by rapid firing it, would not S&W simply repair it if under warranty, as rapid fire is not misuse of the weapon? I mean if in the future a gun were to start misfiring due to this wear pattern.

Gun 4 Fun · Oct 27, 2009

magnum12pm said:
If the cylinder is worn by rapid firing it, would not S&W simply repair it if under warranty, as rapid fire is not misuse of the weapon? I mean if in the future a gun were to start misfiring due to this wear pattern.

That's a good question, and I have to believe that they would cover it under the lifetime warranty, if the gun was made in 1989 or later.

Wear in cylinder notches.

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