Pisgah
Member
I've been messing in the innards of S&W revolvers for 50 years on an "advanced kitchen-table gunsmith" basis, so I know how to get in there. But I'll do it only when necessary.
Frankly, some guns will never need to be opened up. If a revolver does nightstand duty plus a trip to the range now and then, all it will ever need is a drop or two of oil slipped in via the hammer slot and maybe a once-in-a-blue-moon shot of something like Gun Scubber, followed by the oil drops. Actually, a revolver can live a pretty active life and not need anything more, except more frequently.
I've opened many old revolvers that would barely turn to find unbelievable gunk, and I honestly believe every one had been greased. I know grease formulas are better nowadays, but it will hold dirt more than oil will, and you can't refresh it without taking off the sideplate. If S&W thought it was a good idea, looks like they'd recommend it, but I've never found any recommendation except a good, light gun oil.
Frankly, some guns will never need to be opened up. If a revolver does nightstand duty plus a trip to the range now and then, all it will ever need is a drop or two of oil slipped in via the hammer slot and maybe a once-in-a-blue-moon shot of something like Gun Scubber, followed by the oil drops. Actually, a revolver can live a pretty active life and not need anything more, except more frequently.
I've opened many old revolvers that would barely turn to find unbelievable gunk, and I honestly believe every one had been greased. I know grease formulas are better nowadays, but it will hold dirt more than oil will, and you can't refresh it without taking off the sideplate. If S&W thought it was a good idea, looks like they'd recommend it, but I've never found any recommendation except a good, light gun oil.
