When to take the gun apart for cleaning

[aslap]

I have a 29-2 that has probably has 100 rounds through it. When do you guys take off the side plates and clean and lube the gun? Right now I lube the cylinder and get some oil down into the hand but leave it at that.

Thanks.

Tony S.

 

[Dragon88]

The last thing you need to think about doing at 100 rounds is removing the side plate. Removing it should not be done lightly or frequently, as there is always a chance of buggering a screw, scratching the side plate, or otherwise causing harm. Honestly 100 rounds is a single range trip for most people. Clean the bore and cylinder, wipe away all the carbon around the frame, and then lightly oil the gun. Just a standard cleaning, no detail stripping is necessary.

 

[Sebago Son]

Unless there's a problem....

I rarely remove the inspection plate.

I would also say that it would be a good idea to not to drizzle too much oil down the hand window as is could gum up the works. Oil will also accumulate grit and promote wear.

A TFE based lubricate like Breakfree is probably a better medium to use...

Just sayin'...

Drew

 

[PH-2]

aslap,

Unless there's a problem with the gun, you don't.
If you do remove the sideplate, have the proper hollowground drivers and a Kuhnhausen shop manual for reference.

You can properly lube your 29 by putting a drop of oil on each side of the hammer and each side of the trigger and let gravity take it where it needs to go. You can also put a drop in the hand window and cylinder stop window and a drop on the crane hinge and on each end of the ejector rod.

I second Drew's comment regarding CLP (Breakfree).

Mike

 

[TAROMAN]

As stated above. My only exception to this is after purchase of a used revolver, I will usually open it for inspection and cleaning. Recently purchased a 1947 M&P that had its works gummed up with lubricants that had dried into a linoleum-like goo.

 

[Crazy88Fingers]

As long as the gun is functioning, that side plate should only come off once every few decades, at most.

 

[bassoneer]

One of the first things I look at on a used gun are the screws to see how much it has been taken apart and tinkered with. If there is no indication of damage to the screws, then I assume that anybody that has been in there is a pro. I don't typically want to purchase guns with damaged screws...I would agree with the others...leave it alone and let your grandkids take it to the gunsmith when it needs to have something done. Best of luck, B

 

[enfield]

After you've gone swimming with it.

 

[Black_Sheep]

Upon purchase I will detail strip and clean every revolver, subsequent disassembly for cleaning is limited to grips and an occasional cylinder...

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

What? You mean to tell me Smiths can be taken apart? I didn't know that was allowed! I only take off grips when l'm changing them. Absolute minimal dissassembly allowed on my gunbench. It's like when l used to work on my '64 Chevy... l always had extra parts left over after l put it all back together again. That's probably a bad idea for a firearm!

 

[Hearsedriver]

My OCD requires me to do a complete tear-down, cleaning, inspection, and lube about every 300 rounds. Yes...I am obsessive but, you wont find any butchered screws or other damage on my guns.

 

[fyimo]

Like many have said if the gun functions as it should you should leave the side plate alone. When I clean the revolver I take off the grips and I remove the cylinder and remove the cylinder latch but other then that I leave the internals alone until I have a problem.

 

[aslap]

OK....I get it

Thanks!

I do use just the bare minimum of oil and clean as you guys have described.

It will remain unopened in my lifetime.

Thanks, again.

Tony S.

 

[Broadside]

I have a 29-2 that has probably has 100 rounds through it. When do you guys take off the side plates and clean and lube the gun? Right now I lube the cylinder and get some oil down into the hand but leave it at that.

Thanks.

Tony S.

I don't have the SCSW in front of me. So approximately how old is your Model 29-2?

As others have already opined, when purchasing a used S&W revolver, I think it is a good idea to removed the sideplate and lubricate the internals. This allows you to inspect for any worn or damaged parts and also gives you a starting point for timing future maintenance.

If it is a firearm that you plan on shooting, even as few as a cylinder full a year, I still think that at a minimum the sideplate should be removed once each decade. As another poster stated, the lubrication gets gummed up over time which reduces their ability to lubricate.

I don't trust myself working on firearms. So I take any used revolver I purchase to my local gunsmith who charges $55 to disassemble, detail clean and function check a revolver.

 

[haggis]

I think it depends on how much the gun is used. I disassemble, clean, and inspect my high round count USPSA competition guns once a year. These may consume 5,000 to 10,000 rounds per year. Everything goes to individual parts, each of which is checked with a magnifier before reassembly. The 625 has maybe 50,000 rounds through it, and it's likely good for at least that many more.

Buck

 

[Double-O-Dave]

It depends - I detail stripped a Model 686 once after it got dropped in the sand. No amount of compressed air blew the sand out of the works, and it took some doing to get rid of all of the crud inside of the piece. Lately, I've been lucky enough to buy some older S&W revolvers that appear to be "sock drawer guns". That is, used very little and spent most of their lives stuck in someone's dresser drawer. With the sock drawer guns, it amazed me to find the effect the dried grease had on the gun's action. Once cleaned and reoiled, what a great difference it made.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[aslap]

It's from 1978

Broadside,

This gun appeared to be in unfired condition when it was given to me. It spent its entire life in a case in a safe. The action was smooth when I got it. I put the 100 rounds through it over this summer.

Tony S.