66-1 question

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

The recessed cylinder of the 66-1 can be used with moonclips without post-factory modification, right? And you can also load them without moonclips. Also any disadvantages to them being recessed? Probably dumb qestions, but...

 

[valkyriekl]

The recessed cylinders of any S&W are/were not meant to be used with moonclips; rather, the cylinders are recessed to support a cartridge that uses "balloon-head" casings. Unsupported, such a casing could rupture upon ignition. This was really only a danger on the rim-fires and early magnum cartridges.

Magnum rounds all now use solid-head casings, so centerfire magnum S&Ws no longer have recessed cylinders (and haven't since the early 80s), though rimfires still have recessed chambers since rimfires are still based on balloon-head casings.

You won't be able to use a moonclip with a recessed cylinder unless the cylinder (and extractor star) was further machined to accept moonclips.

The main disadvantage to having a recessed cylinder is that it is harder to tell if a revolver is loaded without opening the cylinder, since it is more difficult to see the cartridges while the cylinder is closed. I can't really think of any other disadvantages.

 

[FlyNavy]

Well I guess you learn something new all the time!

All these years I also thought that was why they were recessed. I never even knew that it was to support the case head of the early magnum cartridges.

Great info!!!

Luke

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Great info, indeed! Thanks!

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Not sure why this got moved. I thought 66-1s were made both before and after 1980.

 

[M29since14]

The support issue had to do with the high pressures (at that time) of the magnum rounds, didn't it? I don't know of any of the older non-magnum S&Ws with recessed chambers - just the magnums and the rimfires. The balloon head case issue concerned earlier rounds like .44 Special and .45 Colt. I don't think .357 Magnums were ever made with that style of case, were they?

The main objection (or disadvantage) I used to see to recessed chambers was officers who didn't think about cleaning those recesses. If enough nasty stuff builds up there, cartridges will eventually start to drag against the recoil shield of the frame and make double action shooting troublesome. It is much easier to clean the rear face of the cylinder of a revolver that does not have recessed chambers.