Ejection Rod Shroud

[flundertaker]

I guess this could go in several different categories but I’ll drop it here for great traffic. What is the purpose of the ejector rod shroud? Why is it more prevelent on magnum calibers but also found on rim fire guns as well? Is it really just for asthetics? I do prefer guns that have it but it would seem unlikely looks are the reason S&W added it. When did they first appear? Discuss.

 

[stansdds]

Good question. K-frames with fixed sights did not receive ejector rod shrouds, so I don't think it has anything to do with strength or reliability of lock up. My guess is that it added a little weight to the barrel for better recoil control, same goes to the heavy profile barrels compared to the slim profile of 38 Special K-frame barrels and 44 Special N-frame barrels. I do find the shroud to be more pleasing to my eyes, but I was not around when S&W introduced the ejector rod shroud, so I cannot take credit for it.

 

[gmborkovic]

Just a thought, maybe to add protection to the rod and front locking
mechanism. But adding a little weight to the barrel for recoil control sounds plausible.

 

[armadillo]

I think it was functional 100+ years ago in the "triple-lock" revolver because of the location of the additional locking mechanism. S&W buyers like it so it is still with us.

 

[-BTM-]

Read up on the development of the Model 19

 

[JP@AK]

For many years, beginning in 1907, only N frame revolvers had the shroud on the barrel/extractor rod. And not all N frames had it (.44 Second Model, for example). That seems to me to indicate that it was likely a weight and balance issue.

I cannot think of a K frame with the shroud prior to December 1955, when the Combat Magnum was first produced.

 

[daveboy]

My guess is the added weight will reduce muzzle rise with the more powerful cartridges.

However, a more interesting answer is that lawmen found that when they cracked bad guys over the head with their revolver, the shroud protected the ejector rod from damage.

 

[Model29-26.5]

My guess is the added weight will reduce muzzle rise with the more powerful cartridges.

However, a more interesting answer is that lawmen found that when they cracked bad guys over the head with their revolver, the shroud protected the ejector rod from damage.

Yes. I heard that the cops said it was to protect the cylinder rod from getting bent if a suspect accidentally bumped his head on the bottom of the gun.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

When I compare the Model 15 to the Model 19. The Ejection Rod Shroud appears to be a Premium revolver, JMHO. Sarge

 

[Abbynormal]

I think styling compared to the Colt had something to do with it . Until the advent of the shroud, both Colt's New Service and S&W's N frames looked alike at a glance. The shroud differentiated the large frames manufactures apart.

 

[JP@AK]

Until the advent of the shroud, both Colt's New Service and S&W's N frames looked alike at a glance.

I can't imagine what you mean by this. The N frame did not exist prior to 1907, and when it was introduced, it had a shroud. As far as I know, only the .44 HE Second Model (1915) lacked the shroud. When the Third Model came out (1926), the shroud returned.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The M1917 never had one, the Triple Lock was too sensitive to the mud and muck the Canadian and British forces fought in Flanders. IIRC the first Colt to have one was the Python, the New Service, the .357 did not have them.

 

[JP@AK]

The M1917 never had one

Yes. I forgot about the Model 1917. My impression is that the Model 1917 was basically built on the .44 Second Model frame and therefore lacked the shroud.

I used to own a .455. About 10 years ago, I traded it to Col. Wayne Ross, who collected (among other things) WWI pistols and revolvers. It was mostly original but a previous owner had modified the front sight. Here's a photo, clearly showing the absence of a shroud.

The open cylinder on the .455.

 

[ezb57]

It protects the rod. If the rod gets bent, you can't easily eject cases, or the cylinder could bind. Incidents of this happening were probably not real common and it added cost and complexity to manufacture so it was an upgrade first found on better models but has made its way onto a variety of revolvers by now. Added weight is an advantage or disadvantage depending on your view. Looks? well there is no accounting for looks as they say.

 

[S-W4EVER]

When I compare the Model 15 to the Model 19. The Ejection Rod Shroud appears to be a Premium revolver, JMHO. Sarge

That’s why I bought a Model 19 instead of a Model 15 back in the ‘70’s, it’s just a prettier revolver IMHO.

 

[StrawHat]

The M1917 never had one, the Triple Lock was too sensitive to the mud and muck the Canadian and British forces fought in Flanders. IIRC the first Colt to have one was the Python, the New Service, the .357 did not have them.

Nonsense. The British asked for the removal of the shroud and the third lock BEFORE the first revolver was accepted. I find it interesting that mud and muck in the shroud would disable a revolver yet that same mud and muck would never get under the ejector star, into the insides or jam the trigger.

Kevin

 

[Muley Gil]

Nonsense. The British asked for the removal of the shroud and the third lock BEFORE the first revolver was accepted. I find it interesting that mud and muck in the shroud would disable a revolver yet that same mud and muck would never get under the ejector star, into the insides or jam the trigger.

Kevin

It seems to me that the Brits don't mind asking for help, materiel, etc. from the US, but they always find something to complain about.

 

[Doc44]

Per Roy Jinks, History of S&W, page 194; "For additional weight and protection of the extractor rod, a shroud was incorporated on the underside of the barrel to house the extractor. This type of extractor shroud began a tradition...".

Bill Cross

 

[Jim Watson]

The ejector rod shroud first showed up on the Triple Lock where it holds the rod linking the yoke and ejector rod tip latches.
The English worried about it catching mud in the trenches, so Smith left the whole works off the next round of revolvers, same as M&P.
After the War, a US distributor ordered revolvers with the shroud and got them, but it no longer enclosed the third lock.

 

[Doc44]

The third locking point on the 44 Hand Ejector First Model was unnecessary. It was discontinued, along with the shroud, to keep the price of the revolver competitive (price reduced from $21 to $19), and the 44 Hand Ejector Second Model was introduced in 1915.

Bill