I had a binding problem on a recently purchased (used) model 29-2. It has been around awhile but had been fired very little. I thought the problem of the cylinder being hard to rotate at times, other times it was corrected by tightening the main spring screw. Not so. On 3 chambers-half of the cylinder, it would still get TIGHT while rotating. I used feeler guages and the cylinder to barell gap was only .002. So, that has been corrected. Now it is .004 to .008. I now want to check the appx. date of manufactor if anyone will help me until I can get the S&W book. My serial number is N741xxx. Any help would be aaprehiated. It is blued with 6 inch brl. Thanks

1980 for a DOM, which goes along with the fact that you said it is a 6" barreled gun.

The switch was made in 1979 to 6" as standard on all N frames, though there are some 6.5" N frames that shipped later than '79. S&W used up all inventory until it was exhausted. I own a 25-2 that was made and shipped in '80, and it has a 6.5" barrel on it.

a bent ejector rod will cause the cylinder to bind up also. I had a 19 with a bent rod from the factory.

Thanks for the date of production info and also the need to verify the ejector rod function if this happens again. I sure hope it is o.k. now, not complaining, but this has been my dream gun for a long time.
Thanks again for helping me.