686 cyl play (open)

[large caliber jeff]

Hi. I have a smith wesson 686-6, 4 inch that the cyl has a lot of front and rear play and slides back and forth on the ejector rod . when in loading position , I made a video but the web site will not let me up load it. Basically with the cylinder open in loading position pistol pointed down like you were going to load it . I noticed I can slide the cyl back up the ejector rod till it barely touches the rear of the opening in the frame where the cyl swings into, once the cyl is closed in to the firing position it locks in good with no felt free play in any direction . also the cyl spins straight and true on the ejector rod no wiggle at all , I have been loading with muzzle down and closing with the cyl far forward as possible so it doesn't contact the rear of frame where the cyl swing into . also when swinging the cyl in with pistol facing down there is no contact with barrel, cyl gap remains good . So the question,, is this to much front to rear cyl to ejector rod travel ? Will this condition eventually damage the gun ? should continue to load it muzzle down and closing the cyl in this position to ? Thanks jeff If some one wants to see the video I can attach it in E-mail Thanks jeff

 

[brucev]

It is entirely normal that there will be some movement forward and rearward of the cylinder when it is open in the loading position. When the cylinder is loaded and in battery (firing) position, you will find virtually no movement at all forward or rearward. There will be some slight movement of the cylinder along its axis when the cylinder is in battery but not cocked. When the revolver is cocked, there will be little to no movement/play at all in the cylinder either radially along its axis or forward or rearward. If there is such forward/rearward play, the issue can be addressed using shims. Others will doubtless offer more detailed information, but this will at least provide a general overview. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Neumann]

As noted above, it is perfectly normal.

The ridge on the frame, just aft of the cylinder opening is called the cylinder stop. At one time, it was an insert, rather than a milled protrusion. It is the only thing keeping the cylinder from coming free of it's shaft. if you remove the crane stop screw, the crane can be removed from the frame, and the cylinder from the crane, etc.

 

[OKFC05]

Take a deep breath and find an ICORE or IDPA club to shoot your revolver with seasoned revolver shooters. It's fun and sometimes educational!

 

[large caliber jeff]

That would make sense why that reinforcement is there where the lower part of the cyl is Thanks jeff

 

[Hapworth]

As noted above, it is perfectly normal.

The ridge on the frame, just aft of the cylinder opening is called the cylinder stop. At one time, it was an insert, rather than a milled protrusion. It is the only thing keeping the cylinder from coming free of it's shaft. if you remove the crane stop screw, the crane can be removed from the frame, and the cylinder from the crane, etc.

Spot on, but for two small nomenclature points: technically, it's the cylinder lug -- the cylinder stop is what pops up and locks into the cylinder notches as the revolvers times; and on S&Ws the crane is referred to as the yoke.