"Doesn't Carry Up" Question

[JDBoardman]

I am trying to diagnose a DCU problem with my N-prefix 27-2. When fired in DA, there is generally no problem, but occasionaly I get some spitting out of the B/C gap. In SA, the cylinder seems to frequently stop shot of lockup; a very slight nudge will result in the cylinder stop dropping into the stop notch. Obviously (at least to me) it doesn't carry up, and needs repair.

Looking at the hand, it appears that the top of the hand has either been stoned or filed and polished to create a pronounced slope from lower on the right to higher on the left. My other S&W revolvers do not exhibit this, and I wonder if this is per factory design, as a result of wear, or if Bubba got to it before I bought it (used, about a year ago). There is virtually no end shake, the B/C gap is about .003". The hand mikes 0.097" (an oversize hand?) and there is no discernible play between the hand and the window. My thoughts are to lay a very small bead of Stellite across the hand and stone it flat, or replace the hand with another oversize hand.

Am I following along the right track, or is this a "send it to the Mother Ship" issue?

I'd like to return this revolver to proper timing

 

[shawn mccarver]

The dreaded, but inevitable "DCU" is one of the easiest things for a trained S&W armorer or trained gunsmith to fix. It seems so easy that untrained people attempt the fix. Sometimes, when they do, it can become a nightmare. Why risk anything with a fine old 27-2 that seems in overall excellent mechanical condition otherwise?

I know you don't want to hear this, but option one (a small bead of Stellite) is a definite NO.

Your option two MIGHT work provided none of the ratchets also needs adjustments, a problem that may arise.

Again, you don't want to hear this, but my recommendation is to send it to S&W or one of their warranty repair stations.

I see you are in Texas. LSG in Texas is good and pretty quick on their turn-around. LSG is an S&W Warranty Repair station. I am not suggesting your S&W 27-2 is still under warranty, but I mention that so you will know that Mr. Smith is fully qualified. I know because I just examined a revolver back from LSG for exactly the same problem as yours.

LSG/Frank Smith
10059 Hwy 1476
Comanche, Texas 76442

(325)885-2700

 

[ken158]

You have received good advice regarding your DCU issue. Just too many possibilities exist that could be causing your problem that cannot be diagnosed without hands on inspection. Any filing or adding material and filing will surely be rewarded with more problems than you already have... Let a trained gunsmith do your fix.

 

[Fastbolt]

Yep, get it done right the first time, by someone who knows what they're doing, and go back to enjoying the revolver.

 

[Alk8944]

S&W carry-up is not dependent on hand length, so lengthening the hand will accomplish nothing! It is hand thickness that makes the difference. Fitting an oversize hand is not simply a drop-in proposition and it is a good idea, as others advised, to have the work done by either S&W or one of the service centers.

 

[UnderDawgAl]

Looking at the hand, it appears that the top of the hand has either been stoned or filed and polished to create a pronounced slope from lower on the right to higher on the left.

That sloped profile is normal.

I am currently fitting a Power Custom oversized hand to my Model 57. Apparently unlike the S&W oversized hands, the Power Custom version is also quite a bit taller than the factory hands. I have fitted the width to the frame and ratchets, and it rotates the cylinder easily when the hammer is out. I am in the process now of slowly filing and stoning the top so that, with the hammer installed, the hand will not engage the ratchets until the cylinder stop has dropped out of the way.

I agree with the others in that you shouldn't touch that hand. Either send it to some shop like LSG (mentioned earlier), or buy an oversized hand and slowly, carefully fit it yourself.