Bad idea to remove cylinder for every cleaning?

[rdcl]

I post this here as my question applies mainly to my model 29-2. I suppose the question could apply to all S&W revolvers.

After every shooting session I thourghly clean my gun(s) I confess I'm one of those finicky sob's that MUST have my guns spotless clean and oiled after shooting or handling....and so I've always made it a habit to remove the cylinder/yoke from the gun every time I clean after shooting.
As you know....taking out the cylinder is easy, but I am always careful in that I have never (yet) marred the cylinder release screw head or scratched the frame.

Carbon/residue seems to get into every nook & cranny and it is simply easier for me to have the componets separated for easy access. It is especially easier to scrub the bore with the cylinder out of the way......and also....one is less likely to scratch the cylinder with a bore brush.

Now here is why I ask the question. Freinds tell me it is NOT a good idea to remove the cylinder/yoke for every cleaning session because sooner or later the assembly will loose fit tolerence (spelling?).........from constant removal. ( A problem I've not yet had BTW) They say do it only once in a great while and don't worry about carbon residue down inside the center assembly.


What's the general opinion about this? Are my buddies correct?

Russ

 

[ronnie gore]

cleaning

i have been removing the cylinder from my guns for 40 years if you are careful no harm will be done.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I just sent my 337Ti back to S&W for repair because the cylinder started to back off of the crane past the stop on the bottom of the frame window when I opened it. The gun has been carried a lot but has a fairly low rounhd count. I have removed the cylinder several times when cleaning it and wondered if that could have contributed to this situation.

T

 

[tbury]

i have been removing the cylinder from my guns for 40 years if you are careful no harm will be done.

+1. It is the only way to efficiently clean the bearing surfaces of the yoke and cylinder. It also makes it easier to do a good cleaning job on the charge holes. I do not necessarily do it every cleaning but in my opinion is the best way to do a complete cleaning after a high round count has been reached.

 

[acl864]

I remove the cylinder every time I clean my S&W's and completely disassemble the cylinder for cleaning about every 10th cleaning. I keep a properly ground and fitted screwdriver and the cylinder disassembly tool with my cleaning stuff. I shoot almost every night during the good weather months so that's alot of times I've removed and reinstalled the cylinders on my guns. I can't see anyway possible that this would loosen up the fit.

BTW- You're not alone. I'm one of those finicky SOB's too, I literally cannot go to sleep if my guns are dirty. But it pays off. I have a M19 that I bought new in 1980. It has uncounted number of rounds down the pipe, probably 15K plus. Other than a very pronounced turn line all the way around the cylinder and some rub marks underneath the grips from a poor fitting set of pachymers that she wore when she was younger, it looks just like it did when it was brand new. Shoots that way too.

 

[H Richard]

I have several prewar revolvers that I shoot, and remove the cylinder to clean. Have never had any problem. Anyone thinking that loosens them up is doing something wrong.

 

[Doc44]

I have been shooting 44 Magnums and Combat Magnums since the late 60s and have never removed a cylinder in order to clean the revolver. I have never had a problem and a couple of guns have had several thousand rounds put through them.

Each person has their own method and this is what I do.

Bill

 

[4inch357]

90+% of the time I remove it, I've never seen a problem from it. Just don't be careless.

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

Having been a practicing licensed gunsmith NYC PD for over 40 years, we had all the thoughts on this subject.
When properly taken down and reassembled, there was never any harm we could find from removing the cylinder. In fact the cleaning under the extractor (ratchet) was condusive to a better working revolver all of the time.

 

[SWID]

I rarely remove mine. If you want to do it Brownelle's has a very nice screwdriver set just for S&Ws (that is, it has a hollow ground blade in each size you need) and the also have a cleaning tool that holds six brushes. I have three, one with nylon bristles and two with mops, one for right after the nylon, and one to finish up. Gets the cylinder really nice.

I have never had a problem caused by not removing the cylinder.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I too have always removed the cylinder when cleaning and never had a problem. Thanks to SWID, I just ordered the S&W screwdriver set from Brownell's.

 

[rdcl]

I appreciate everyones input. I did'nt think there was any harm in "breaking down" a S&W revolver, and the responses I see here seem to confirm that. At work next Tuesday I'll have to show my buddy this thread!
I mean he really gave me a head-shake of dis-approval when he saw me doing it.
Still, I wonder why he & others would think a guns fit & tolerences could go out of spec by doing this makes me scratch my head. Maybe it's the idea that steel parts moving against steel parts eventually produces wear.....but geez to do THAT you'd need to dis-assemble a gun every single day at least......AND be rough handling at it.

Now if Smith & Wesson themselves said "don't do it....often"...which to my knowledge they never have, then maybe I'd have a bit of concern.

Thanks,
Russ

PS......ya'll have a fun & safe memorial day weekend.

 

[Nightowl]

I have been removing the cylinder every time I clean a gun and have for over 40 years. However, I have never removed the centerpin and broken the cylinder down to clean it, even on guns I have fired many, many thousands of rounds. It is just easier to clean cylinder and frame when the cylinder is out. It is also easier to clean and oil the yoke barrel. Carefully done, I do not believe it will harm the gun.

 

[stk622]

I rarely remove mine. If you want to do it Brownelle's has a very nice screwdriver set just for S&Ws (that is, it has a hollow ground blade in each size you need) and the also have a cleaning tool that holds six brushes. I have three, one with nylon bristles and two with mops, one for right after the nylon, and one to finish up. Gets the cylinder really nice.

I have never had a problem caused by not removing the cylinder.

Which set exactly is it? Is it ok for you to post a link to it. If not a part number would be appreciated. I found one but it did not mention bit for this.

 

[Kelly Green]

I have been removing the cylinders from my revolvers about every third cleaning and I remove the cylinder from my 19-5 .357 magnum every time I shoot .38 specials through it. I've been doing this for twenty years and have had no problems.

 

[Andyd]

I am occasionally removing the cylinder for cleaning on my S&W revolvers but do so every time on my Korth. It has a push button release.

Cleaning is so much easier then.

 

[shotguntom]

I do it everytime i shoot one of my revolvers. Just my habit, as I see it is a habit for many others on the forum. Matter of fact I just went to the range today, and as I removed the cylinder, I thought how many folks besides me do this. Apparently an awful lot.
Tom

 

[Bullzaye]

I am occasionally removing the cylinder for cleaning on my S&W revolvers but do so every time on my Korth. It has a push button release.

Cleaning is so much easier then.

Wow! Way to make a guy jealous.

Tim

 

[4864]

I too do it every time I clean. I am also a clean freak with my guns. If you know what you are doing and have the correct tools it is doing no harm to the gun. I also like to make sure ever thing is lubed up nice on the yoke and crane if I put the gun away for a bit and not carry or shoot it much.

 

[brokenprism]

Are we talking about S&W DAs, or Colt SAAs?

I guess this explains why 8 out of 10 used Smiths I see have a sideplate screw that looks like somebody was tinkering under the hood. I had no idea so many people dismounted the cylinder for routine cleaning, and no clue it was advantageous. I can get into every chamber and through the barrel just fine with it on, being careful not to torque it from the action of the brush and patches. That's about the only way I could see harming tolerances -- if you rammed a rod through the chambers without supporting the cylinder/yoke with the other hand.