More Oddities

[BillBro]

When cycling the action on my 686 by cocking the hammer Ive noticed that on two chambers it is harder to cycle than the other 5. Why? It seems most of the resistance is right at the end of the hammer stroke just before it locks.

Any wisdom?

 

[armorer951]

Probably a long ratchet at those particular chambers. The excess material on the ratchet rubs the hand as it attempts to pass the ratchet during cocking. This is a fitting issue from the factory. Is this a newer 686?

You can verify the long ratchet hypothesis by opening the cylinder, holding the thumbpiece back and cocking the action. This takes the ratchets out of the equation, so it should cock smoothly in this configuration.

Carter

 

[dfariswheel]

You can identify which lugs it is by marking the tight chambers.
The lug that's at fault will be at the 9:00 o'clock position with the tight chamber under the hammer.

 

[armorer951]

Easiest way I've found to identify a ratchet (six shot cylinder) for a particular chamber is to bring the offending chamber to the 12 o'clock position, under the top strap.

Open the cylinder, making note of this chamber. The offending or "long" (or short) ratchet will be the one directly below this chamber and to the right.

 

[dfariswheel]

You're right, I still get my Colt's and S&W's confused.

The offending ratchet lug will be at ONE o'clock.