Anyone have issues with K frame gas ring?

[aterry33]

I often shoot revolver competitions with a 686, but figured I'd shoot one with a 66 just for the heck of it. My 66 happens to be a no-dash model with the gas ring on the yoke. One of the guys at the club (who used to be a NC State Trooper) warned me about using it because he said K-Frame magnums with the ring on the yoke tend to bind up after 100 rounds or so.

I've heard comments about this on the forums before, but to be honest, I've never had a problem with my 66. I have shot a bunch of magnums through this gun and have never had issues with the gun locking up or cylinder binding due to crud collecting around the gas ring. In fact, I don't think I've ever removed the cylinder to clean it, etc.

I don't doubt that people have issues with this, but I'm wondering what people's experiences have been. Is this really something to worry about?

 

[rcisec]

I shoot my S&W models 19-2,19-4,66-5,586,686-1,10-8,15-3,60-10, and 36 all the time.A trip to the range, usually involves 250 to 300 rounds each , through whatever guns I'm shooting that day. I clean them after shooting ,so that I don't have to do it when I get home.I have never had a stoppage with any of these guns.The only problem I've ever had with any revolver is the ejector rod backing out on my M29. A little blue locktite fixed that.K frames ,J frames , and L frames ,if kept clean and lightly lubed,seem to be extremely reliable, at least in my experience.

 

[diamonback68]

I've never had a problem on the older ones, but then again I don't shoot a lot anymore.

 

[Gunsandguitars]

I understood that this was only a problem when shooting .357 Magnums, that .38 Specials didn't cause any problems.

If you can shoot your match with Specials, why not? Like Dirty Harry said, "...better control with less recoil than a .357 Magnum." :0)