Cylinder Release Broken?

[JayFramer]

Hello all. I came across a photo of a Model 66-2 on the internet (I hope the -2 is post 1980, I believe it is) and the cylinder release seems to be at an odd angle. It is cockeyed, with the rear serrated button part tilted upwards toward the hammer.

What's going on here? Is it just a loose screw do you think? Or is it possible to tweak or bend the lever?

Might want to buy the gun in question so just checking to see if this is bad or normal.

Thoughts?

 

[Engine49guy]

IMO its the angle of the shot although there is a tiny bit of wiggle room there if its loose ,
Not being P&R its a either a 66-2 which appeared in 1982 or higher.

 

[OldChief]

I agree with EngineGuy, If it's broken then the release is just sitting on the frame but I doubt that. The threaded bolt would have to be bent much farther than I believe it could be so it's probably the angle of the camera when the picture was taken or the nut is loose. Again it's a case of not being able to really tell without holding the revolver itself.

 

[JayFramer]

I agree with EngineGuy, If it's broken then the release is just sitting on the frame but I doubt that. The threaded bolt would have to be bent much farther than I believe it could be so it's probably the angle of the camera when the picture was taken or the nut is loose. Again it's a case of not being able to really tell without holding the revolver itself.

Yes and therein lies the rub. I hate having to do the online dance, but locally, any used Smith & Wesson with no lock is hard to find in decent shape and usually priced high in the local gun shops.

I emailed the shop with this gun yesterday and no response.

 

[silversnake]

Murabito safety?

 

[Arquebus357]

Worst case scenario would be having to buy a new bolt. The only way for this to be misaligned would be for the threaded bolt's threaded pin to be slightly bent. If that's the case it can probably bent back into the proper alignment.

 

[JayFramer]

Worst case scenario would be having to buy a new bolt. The only way for this to be misaligned would be for the threaded bolt's threaded pin to be slightly bent. If that's the case it can probably bent back into the proper alignment.

I see. By bolt do you mean the bit inside the frame itself, that the little nut and the release attach to?

 

[hemiram]

I've seen a couple of 686's come out of the factory new like this back in the early 80's.

 

[H Richard]

If you look at the fit of the parts for the cylinder release thumb piece you would see it would be impossible for it to be bent. The perspective of the photo gives it that appearance.

 

[Dpris]

The thumb piece is usually relatively soft, but it's not bendable.
Either camera angle or machining, but I wouldn't worry unduly about it.
Denis