What is a Crane Lock?

[LubeckTech]

I see gunsmithing companies on the internet advertising crane locks, ball crane locks and double ball crane locks. What do they do and why are they desireable??

 

[s&wchad]

It can supplement or even replace the front under barrel locking lug. There's flex in the ejector rod and this style is a more direct lock-up (maybe). The ball bearing is spring loaded and engages a notch in the shroud. It's a friction lock-up.

(please ignore the cracked frame)

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Yoke, S&W has a Yoke

They are much more solid, and are preferred than the simple extractor rod lock up.

The current X frame guns come to mind on the yoke ball lock up. Some all? preformance center guns have this feature also.

 

[batmann]

As pictured, the crane or yoke has a ball detent to help give extra support.

 

[LubeckTech]

Do they improve timing and or accuracy?

 

[def4pos8]

My Model 66 had a double-ball lock installed in the top of the yoke by MagNaPort. My Model 24 Classic has a large, single ball lock on the forward face of the yoke like s&wchad's illustration. My 24-3 has a single ball lock on its yoke. All are very accurate revolvers with a few other "tweaks".

I think adding a yoke lock is a detail improvement, providing a small increment of accuracy. Presuming proper timing and barrel/cylinder alignment, a nicely cut barrel crown and a carefully cut forcing cone provide the most efficient improvement to accuracy. Some prefer 5-degree forcing cones. I like 11-degree forcing cones.

Several thousand rounds of practice ammunition helps too!