Do you remove the cylinder when cleaning your DA revolvers?

[heeter3]

Only about once a year for me desmobob.

 

[scruffy]

On my 66-8 I remove the cylinder to clean approximately every 500 rounds. No issues with function, but I read that because of the elimination of the gas ring on that model it's a good idea. I only shoot jacketed factory ammo. On my other revolvers I only removed the cylinder if I go through a once a year or so deep cleaning. All my guns are cleaned after each range session 20 rounds or 200. Never had a problem with any of them related to cleaning.

 

[DEG]

I've never found a reason to remove the cylinder for cleaning and S&W advises against that level of disassembly in the owners manual.

 

[MajorD]

Sometimes wasting time is ok. On revolver cleaning day I probably spend more than 10 minutes per revolver. I'd say at least 15. I clean all six of them one after the other. I choose a day when I have two hours to spend. It's an enjoyable two hours for me.

I find gun cleaning just another chore to do. Less time spent the better.
As long as the gun is functioning properly, do as little as you must to keep it that way.
More cleaning is NOT BETTER

 

[bmcgilvray]

You probably save a bundle on toilet paper.

 

[Roofuss]

Every time the gun is shot .
I have a lot of $ invested in my guns just to... NOT take care of them.

 

[mtgianni]

I would guess that more wear occurs because of cleaning than shooting. I remove the cylinder if it seems to be hanging up.

 

[BE Mike]

I would guess that more wear occurs because of cleaning than shooting. I remove the cylinder if it seems to be hanging up.

Especially those .22 caliber revolvers. I never use a cleaning rod in the bore of any .22 caliber firearms.

 

[Vtgw938]

Not always. But on the other hand I completely strip them down occasionally.

 

[rubiranch]

Yes I do.

 

[MR.G]

Remove the cylinder every cleaning. Remove the sideplate every couple of cleanings. Been doing it that way for over 40 years. Keeps then running smooth.

 

[AveragEd]

I remove the cylinder/yoke probably once a year. If you are thinking about doing it regularly I'd advise you to get some quality hollow ground smithing screwdrivers. On my older M-19 I can remove the cylinder and take the ejector rod and spring apart to clean. On my newer revolvers the ejector rod is very tight. I clean and oil what I can but have never put the ejectors in a vice to disassemble. Works like new after many years of shooting.

You know, they make a tool for removal of the ejector rod. It consists of two plates with grooves for different S&W rod diameters. You tighten the four screws clamping the tool to the rod and unscrew it (left hand threads on most S&Ws), reinstall it and remove the tool.

Ed

 

[Lou_NC]

You know, they make a tool for removal of the ejector rod. It consists of two plates with grooves for different S&W rod diameters. You tighten the four screws clamping the tool to the rod and unscrew it (left hand threads on most S&Ws), reinstall it and remove the tool.

Ed

Ed, is that a commercially available product? I've been shooting revolvers for quite a while and have never seen one like that.

 

[pistolpete10]

Never have removed a cylinder from a S&W for cleaning. Never. I have a 586 and a 625 that I used for IDPA, don't know how many rounds with cast bullets and I've yet had to remove the cylinders for cleaning. Folks, Yall doing something wrong.

 

[Rosco Shooter]

Every time. Makes it easier to clean the charge holes and face of the cylinder without putting pressure on the crane.

 

[MP-5]

Wow, I didn't realize so many S&W owners are afraid to use a screwdriver!

 

[mrussell]

I have 7 revolvers that get shot and I have never taken the cylinder or side plate off of any one of them. I have owned revolvers since 1976 and never even thought about it.

 

[Marksman]

Stress the yoke from cleaning ? You've got to be kidding, couldn't conceive that any damage could result. Same thing for wearing the yoke screw threads. Perhaps in 2 or 3 lifetimes. Some folks overthink situations, but whatever works for you.

 

[spin132]

Ed, is that a commercially available product? I've been shooting revolvers for quite a while and have never seen one like that.

Power Custom carries it -

Extractor Rod Wrench Remover [PC-ERWR] - $34.99 : GrandMasters L.L.C., Gunsmithing, Ruger 10-22, AK-47, Ruger, AR-15, Ruger Accessories, Gunsmithing Tools and Gun Accessories


Mike

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[smithman 10]

Almost everytime

Unless I am particularly lazy or it's just a very few rounds.

Fired 15 wadcutters through my Model 60-7 last weekend and cleaned it without removing the cylinder. Normally would have removed the cylinder but getting old and lazy.

I don't believe there is much chance of harming any part of the revolver by removing cylinders if done right. If one is in a hurry and using the wrong size screwdriver you might scratch the frame when the screwdriver slips out of the slot.

I take the sideplate off a revolver fairly often if I fire lots of rounds through it, although I shoot much less than I used to, when ammo was cheap and I was younger.

Always amazes me that some folks think the innards of a Smith and Wesson revolver are a great mystery and not to be messed with for fear of something (whatever that might be ) going wrong.