"Floating Hand"

[Fredo Batali]

I have a chance to pick up a Model 66-3 21/2 inch barrel. The gun locks up tight and is about 95%. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the "floating hand"? Any issues with durability? Should I even be concerned? Thanks in advance.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[shawn mccarver]

I do not think you should be concerned. If you have a problem, S&W can readily switch it to the original style.

 

[Fredo Batali]

Thanks Shawn, I'll go ahead with the deal.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[alec.mc]

I wouldn't be overly concerned with it, my 625-2 has a floating hand and hasn't given me any issues.

shoot and enjoy

 

[Fredo Batali]

Just a quick note, I made the deal and will post pics tomorrow. Thanks for the good advice.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[murphydog]

I do not think you should be concerned. If you have a problem, S&W can readily switch it to the original style.

Shawn, thanks for posting the photo...now I know what "floating hand" means .

 

[flintsghost]

The floating hand was something S&W came up with in an effort to keep timing of the carry up from wearing as much. It was not particularly successful and was discarded very quickly. It can be changed out to normal by any factory trained armorer by removing the hand and punching out the floating connection on the trigger and just installing a normal hand in the trigger and checking the carry up. It's super easy to do if one has the standard hands in a variety of sizes to fit. When it's working you probably won't even notice the floating hand but if you are betting your life on the gun, as in a carry piece, I would have it changed out at the first opportunity. The standard hand is more reliable.

 

[Moonman]

YEP!

S&W didn't keep that for long.

I PASSED on a revolver one time because of it.

 

[Printer]

Ahhhh the floating hand. I haven't thought of those in about 30yrs. I remember working on them while in R&D at Smith. Ken Lamy, Harold Sibley and myself flew down to Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC ) in Glynco, Ga. with about 5 special 3" mod. 686's with the floating hands. It was a special contract for them. I think we got the contract but can't remember why we made the floating hands. I DO remember we had many problems with them and stopped making them.
Bob St.George

 

[tomcatt51]

I PASSED on a revolver one time because of it.

I wouldn't do that. The floating hand is too easy to swap with a std hand.

My 629-2 still has the original floating hand but on a (made in lathe) new pivot pin that fit the hand better removing the slop the floating hands had. Somewhere there are four other 629's with the same pin. It was an experiment that worked. ~$15 for a new hand or machine some 4140 pins at work on company time. Easy decision at the time.