29-3 lock up.

[eleanor08]

Hello everyone, I have a quick question. I think I know my answer but I prefer to ask the community just to be sure.

I was looking at a nice 29-3 today, it was slightly used, you can tell its been fired, but not much.

One of the first things I check is the lock up (pull hammer back, hold hammer, squeeze trigger, let hammer down, check cylinder.) and I found that it had just as much play as when it wasn't locked up.

Is this model not supposed to lock up? am I missing something? I don't have a ton of revolver experience, but my model 66-3 locks up tight.

Please advise, thank you.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

None of my Smiths lockup (with no play); 325NG, 686-0, 686-6, 29-2, nor my Ruger SRH. Only my Colt Detective Special does. I always thought they should lockup with the trigger held back too.

 

[Number1gun]

I should not have to say this...make sure the gun is unloaded before these tests..The cylinder should stop rotating just before the hammer locks to the rear when in single action. Check all cylinders. The cylinder should stop rotating just before the hammer releases in double action. You should check for push off...single action cock the gun. Get you finger off the trigger. Place a thumb on the back of the hammer and push forward on the cocked hammer...a moderate (firm)amount of pressure but not excessive. The hammer should stay cocked. Dry Fire the gun double action...with the trigger still depressed try to rotate the cylinder...should not move. Check all cylinders. Really should have a set of range rods to check the bore to cylinder but if the gun passes those other easy tests and appears to be in good nik then most likely you are good to go. Good luck.