Closing the cylinder

[Electric Head]

So this is probably an odd question to most people, but I notice little things and wonder about them.

It is also something that isn't really a big deal to me, it works and likely matters little, but technically it might.

So on modern smiths the cylinder turns anti-clockwise as viewed from the shooter's perspective.

I notice that everyone I see in a video closing the cylinder turn the cylinder clockwise as they close it (by pushing up with their thumb) to latch the cylinder on the bolt.

1 - This drags the bolt along the portion of the cylinder that usually never gets any contact with the bolt as in that part of the rotation, it is down from just being pulled down by the trigger. About halfway to the next cylinder notch is where the bolt is release and starts riding on the cylinder again.

EDIT: There's also the fact that when the bolt latches the cylinder this way, it falls from the full circumference height of the cylinder into the bottom of the notch. When rotating in the operating direction, it is only falling about half as far due to the guide ramp (or whatever you call it) going into each notch. I imagine you could spin it fast enough the wrong way to make the bolt skip the notch. You could not do that going in the operating direction.

2 - To me, it is more natural just to close my left hand (thumb) which closes the cylinder and draws your thumb down, rotating the cylinder in the operating direction. Of course you need to watch how you've clocked the cylinder as you close it for the bolt to ride on the usual spot, but those I've seen closing it the other way seem to try to do that as well; It seems that part is a given step regardless.

I feel like those I've seen rotating it clockwise do so either because that is the direction the cylinder swings into the opening, or maybe because they assume clockwise is the correct direction, because it is clockwise.


So who else closes the cylinder and turns it anti-clockwise?

Who doesn't bother with trying to latch it at all?


Am I wrong? Have I missed something and have been doing it wrong myself?

 

[Cardboard_killer]

So who else closes the cylinder and turns it anti-clockwise?

The term is counter-clockwise; please don't confuse the millennials even more than they are already.

I use my left thumb to pull the cylinder down when I close the crane. Don't know why, just do, feels natural. Never thought about it before.

 

[kwselke]

If such a minor reloading detail creates undue wear on a revolver you certainly should never shoot it. Just think of the stresses on a Smith & Wesson during firing!

Habitual counter-clockwise closers could shoot Colts only. Of course Rugers are built like tanks and the cylinder is closed with a flick of the wrist anyway.

I figure my guns will out last me and do not worry about it.

 

[chief38]

Electric Head,
I believe you are over thinking the situation here. Just close the cylinder gently and make sure it is indexed into a notch with a counter clockwise motion - GTG.

If you want to keep a Revolver in pristine shape - don't shoot it. Turn lines are part of a Smith or Colt and are not considered "defects".

The only thing I do check is that there are no Burrs on the Cylinder Stop as that will wear a deeper than normal turn line into the Cylinder. As long as there are no Burrs, just enjoy your Revolver and don't fret the small stuff.

Yes - Colt's are "backwards" - LOL!!

 

[Electric Head]

Oh yeh as I said it's not a big deal to me, and likely makes no actual difference. It just seemed interesting that most people seem to do it the harder way that is also "technically" not as mechanically correct.

Oh and cardboard_killer I noticed you guys (in the US) use the term counter more. Here, at least when and where I grew up, anti-clockwise was the saying and counter-clockwise seemed, ironically, counter-intuitive. Ahh english.

 

[Rule3]

But if you are South of the Equator then the cylinder always turns in a cattywampus or anti counter counter clockwise motion.

 

[5Wire]

The term is counter-clockwise...

Don't forget "widdershins".

 

[WR Moore]

I'd kinda like a definition of "widdershins" myself. Doesn't appear in US dictionaries. Also curious about what the opposite is called.

That said, reading some parts of your post is confusing to many of us. When you mention "bolt", I believe you're referring to what we/factories call a cylinder stop (the little widget that stops the cylinder rotation). Perhaps like wing/fender, boot/trunk, bonnet/hood.

Per factory S&W nomenclature, the "bolt" is operated by the thumbpiece and unlatches the cylinder. The little thingie on the barrel that mates with the extractor rod is called the "locking bolt".

I used to work with some idiots who, when closing their revolver cylinders, would give them a fast clockwise spin. This is abusive and stupid. So is the movie practice of swinging the cylinder out/in by a flip of the wrist. Good way to bend cranes/yokes and screw up ranging and carryup. Now, if you're just talking about a very slight, and gentle, rotation of the cylinder to lock it after an administrative loading (no time pressure), that's really not an issue. If you're doing a speed reload, no one bothers about where the cylinder is, the next trigger operation is going to take care of it.

 

[5Wire]

I'd kinda like a definition of "widdershins" myself. Doesn't appear in US dictionaries. Also curious about what the opposite is called.

Here ya go, from Merriam-Webster:
"in a left-handed, wrong, or contrary direction :counterclockwise — compare deasil"

Deasil is clockwise, same source.

 

[linde]

. . . I notice that everyone I see in a video closing the cylinder turn the cylinder clockwise as they close it (by pushing up with their thumb) to latch the cylinder . . . . This drags the bolt along the portion of the cylinder that usually never gets any contact with the bolt . . .

The drag line created from use is a reality but I've noticed knowledgeable collectors line up one chamber with the barrel when closing the cylinder to avoid adding to the drag line. They learn this from handling high-grade firearms but do it instinctively on any revolver they handle.

It sounds like a reasonable and easy thing to do but . . . most of all . . . avoids the dilemma of whether to rotate the cylinder clockwise or counter-clockwise

Russ

 

[TomkinsSP]

Anti/counter: As Sir Winston said, America and Britian are two great nations separated by a common language.

 

[5Wire]

Anti/counter: As Sir Winston said, America and Britian are two great nations separated by a common language.

I believe that was George Bernard Shaw. Winnie might have quoted him.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Oh and cardboard_killer I noticed you guys (in the US) use the term counter more. Here, at least when and where I grew up, anti-clockwise was the saying and counter-clockwise seemed, ironically, counter-intuitive. Ahh english.

My apologies if I offended. I would not have added it if I'd known you were not a US English speaker, and should have added an appropriate emoji in any case.

My apologies for the language, too. English is terribly difficult; I took three years of French in high school and never picked up enough to read a letter. A year of Latin in college made my head hurt. And a semester of Sanskrit made me drop out. I have great admiration for those that can so master a second language.

 

[UncleEd]

WR Moore,

That thing you call a cylinder stop I also call a cylinder
locking bolt, but sometimes I call it a cylinder stop.

Sometimes I feel like a nut and sometimes I don't.

 

[The Norseman]

Getting ready to fire a S&W

The way I close the revolver cylinder on my
S&W's is; I try not to spin the cylinder at all.

I know where the cylinder latch/bolt is and the
cylinder notches are, so I imagine how they
would line up, and close the cylinder and test
for lock up.

It is a habit I have done ever since owning revolvers.

 

[Electric Head]

My apologies if I offended. I would not have added it if I'd known you were not a US English speaker, and should have added an appropriate emoji in any case.

My apologies for the language, too. English is terribly difficult; I took three years of French in high school and never picked up enough to read a letter. A year of Latin in college made my head hurt. And a semester of Sanskrit made me drop out. I have great admiration for those that can so master a second language.

No offence was considered! I'm in Australia FWIW, I assumed that would be visible on my posts like most forums I visit but I noticed after I last posted that it apparently isn't.

As for calling the cylinder stop a bolt I have no idea why I called it that. I've been watching gunblue490 on youtoob and thought he called it that but just rewatched that section and he calls it what I used to, and what makes sense, the cylinder stop. Apologies for confusion and appearing like a dunce .

Norseman - I too try to rotate the cylinder as little as possible, but try to position it so it locks up by rotating a little CCW (see this acronym I have learned but still say anti lol). I like to make sure it is locked every time it closes.

 

[snubbyfan]

Me? I just spin the cylinder and flip it closed like they do on tv.
Just kiddin', I'm a clockwise cylinder turner. Been doing it that way for decades.

 

[A10]

Never crossed my mind......

 

[Alk8944]

And if you place the pad of your thumb in the flute and push straight in the cylinder stop will generally fall directly into the stop notch and no rotation either way will be needed. You are still over-thinking a non-issue.

And, Uncle Ed, S&Ws already have a part named the "Locking Bolt" which is located in the barrel lug. It makes life easier, and causes less confusion to simply use the manufacturers nomenclature instead of creating your own definitions.

 

[Fishslayer]

Never crossed my mind......

Generally I just push the cylinder gently into place with my thumb. It'll lock when it needs to.

As for the popper upper thingy, I always call it a cylinder stop bolt because I think I saw it written that way once.