Fitting new cylinders

[r1_addict]

I recently purchased a pair of 686-1's that I intend to carry. I really like the looks of the unfluted cylinders and looks like Midway will have them available in February. Once they are in stock I am going to order a pair. I have done a little reading and see that there will need to be some fitting and timing adjustment. I am fairly good with tools and have done many modifications to all of my weapons over the years. I would think this should be rather straight forward.

[Frank46]

I feel the same way. I really like the unfluted cylinders as well. Always thought S&W was missing something by not offering them on more models. Now if they would only retro fit a model ten I have with an unfluted blued cylinder that would be really neat. Frank

[OKFC05]

You might get lucky, but you might also get way in over your head unless you have all the knowledge, gages, and tools to correctly fit 2 cylinders to the same gun. If you don't have them, you could wind up spending far more for tools than the job would cost from S&W.
Have you read the Jerry Kuhnhausen S&W Revolver Shop Manual?

[r1_addict]

Originally Posted by OKFC05

You might get lucky, but you might also get way in over your head unless you have all the knowledge, gages, and tools to correctly fit 2 cylinders to the same gun. If you don't have them, you could wind up spending far more for tools than the job would cost from S&W.
Have you read the Jerry Kuhnhausen S&W Revolver Shop Manual?

I have the shop manual on the way. I have two 686-1 4" revolvers and I am going to put an unfluted cylinder on each, not two onto one so maybe my luck will go up a bit. If I have issues, I will seek the help from a professional. I am not against sending them to S&W to get fitted.

[garbler]

Midway is about selling parts and equipment and after I saw their little video on how easy it is to install a hand I about choked laughing. I wonder how many poor soul bought into this promo thinking it was just a little of this and buy a file and another tool and bingo —guns is improved !!

I wonder are they selling cylinders with fitted extractor stars or just a stripped cylinder ? S&W never used to sell just a cylinder or extractor star but both as a unit since they had to be fitted up correctly and this in nothing you can do at home in your basement shop unless you have some serious tooling and knowledge. I agree with the previous poster you can get in way over your head trying to fit up and install switch cylinders —there are just too many things that can go wrong. I would think on a newer CNC build gun the chances are greater for success but any of the earlier guns I would pretty much bet you will need help

Good luck

[r1_addict]

It looks like the cylinder and star.

[Engineer1911]

For my M629 with a fluted cylinder, I bought from S&W an unfluted cylinder and star. They came as 2 parts in a set. I disassembled my M629, installed the old star into the new cylinder, reassembled the cylinder to the crane, and installed the crane into the frame.

I closed the cylinder, slowly pulled the trigger double action, and the cylinder locked up correctly each time. I cocked the hammer single action, and the cylinder locked up correctly each time.

I went to the range with lite 44 loads, and test fired single action with the muzzle sticking out the bottom of a cardboard box pointing at a target. I saw no evidence of lead spitting or shaving on my hand or in the box. Double action firing was also successful.

That was my experience, my story, and 500 rounds later that M629 continues to function flawlessly. I certainly have no accuracy problems with it.

I wish you the best of success with your project.

[scottma978]

I have a 657-2, 6" barrel with a full lug and unfluted cylinder. I absolutely love the look. I also have a 629 power port, same barrel/lug combo, but with the fluted cylinder. One of these days I am going to send my 44 in to S&W to have the unfluted cylinder put on, and maybe an action job while it's there. ahhhh...if only I had one of those money trees...lol