Timing Questions

[SW357Addict]

Hello.

I recently purchased and new 617 and have a few questions about its timing or timing on S&W revolvers in general.

At first, I was concerned about my 617. When pulling the trigger slowly in DA to check the timing, only 6 out of the 10 cylinders would lock before the hammer would fall. Cocking in single action caused all the cylinders to lock up before hammer fall.

After reading here and on other forums, I have been informed that the proper way to check cylinder lockup is to place empty brass into the cylinders because the new style S&W extractor indexes off of the cases of the loaded rounds. I loaded empty brass and checked lockup and everything was good in both DA and SA.

This still seem very odd to me and I am not very confident about it. And especially considering that not all cases or ammo are created equal. I would feel better if each chamber of the cylinder would all lockup with the cylinder being empty. Could I (or should I) try to install an oversized hand or should I just leave things as they are. To me, if the cylinders are not locking up when they are empty this would seem that this an early sign of a problem that may get worse as time goes on.

Or am I just being paranoid?

 

[john traveler]

The older, classic style of extractor used locating pins to establish extractor-to-cylinder relationship, and you can check for timing without empty shells in the chambers.

The newer extractors apprear to be investment castings and do not have the precise fit to the cylinder that the older classic extractors w/pins do.

Your timing check using empty cases in the chambers appears to confirm that timing is good in your revolver. I would not bother with the expense and trouble of re-fitting a new hand. It is not needed.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

On the new guns the carry up is checked with the trigger held fully to the rear. This will insure the last bit of index in the cylinder rotation.

 

[SW357Addict]

On the new guns the carry up is checked with the trigger held fully to the rear. This will insure the last bit of index in the cylinder rotation.

That would be fine if I was only shooting single action but to me the double action is the most important.

The older, classic style of extractor used locating pins to establish extractor-to-cylinder relationship, and you can check for timing without empty shells in the chambers.

The newer extractors apprear to be investment castings and do not have the precise fit to the cylinder that the older classic extractors w/pins do.

Your timing check using empty cases in the chambers appears to confirm that timing is good in your revolver. I would not bother with the expense and trouble of re-fitting a new hand. It is not needed.

That is what I figured. Just needed a second opinion. I know what you are talking about with older revolvers having indexing pins on the extractor. I have a 683 CS3 Security Special that has these and there is absolutely not rotational play in the extractor. I wish S&W still did things this way. But alas.

Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

That would be fine if I was only shooting single action but to me the double action is the most important.


QUOTE]

What is the difference in timing?

Again, it doesn't matter where the cylinder stops before the trigger is pressed, only check the lock up when the trigger is fully depressed.
The trigger will advance a few minutes further when the gun is in battery. Believe it or not.

 

[S&W revolverman]

SW357Addict,

I think in this particular situation that you have descibed with your revolver, you are being a little too technical (picky) on the timing. As you descibe, your 617 is fine, just shoot it and enjoy the engineering of S&W.

chris