Which cylinder latch do you prefer?

[colt_saa]

what about the Cylinder and Slide design?

 

[UncleEd]

ptgarcia,

the latch on the J-frame which you show was generally only on the smaller frames such as J, if memory serves. The K-N frame guns of the older guns used to just have the "concave" cylinder release button with a somewhat sharp ridge going around the checkering.

If you have the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wessson, just consult it. In fact, you will notice on some specimens that the ridge I speak of is worn of its bluing.

 

[cal50]

+1 on the SDM machine cut cylinder release.

It gives you a POSITIVE contact with the release. It really makes the S&W factory part look bad.....

 

[slabside2]

I might be wrong but aren't the newer styled ones also MIM? I own revolvers with both and still prefer the older style. Though they function the same the old style looks manlier and feels better. I don't like how similar they now look to Taurus and Rossi cylinder release.

Yes they are MIM.
Old style for me all the way.

 

[M29since14]

I'll take the old type. It's a miniature work of art in and of itself. The new type has no class and style (or at least very little). Any kid in high school metal shop could make it.

 

[andyo5]

I have replaced three of the new style with old style ones that I purchased on Midwayusa.com. I think that Brownell's has them as well.
I just like the look of the old style better.

 

[M&P Freak]

Old style, prefer the look and feel.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The bottom one is on most new revolvers except they occasionally use a reproduction of the original style on some special runs or Classic Line guns. Being an oldie, I prefer the oldie.

 

[rockyrider]

Call me old fashioned but, I like the old styled one's best. I got a new style one on a 642 but that seems ok on a small gun.

 

[bdgotoh]

I like the newer style and put it on all of my Smiths. I'm a lefty and it's easier and more comfortable to hit with the thumb of my right hand.

 

[Leftofcentre67]

I have to admit, I agree with the Ruger style. As I'm left handed it makes it easer to open the cylinder. But I still love my 629.

 

[OLDSTER]

Cylinder release

I prefer the new style. It's interesting that the French Manurhin revolver has used the same style as the "new" S&W for decades. And the German Korth revolver has used the Ruger style cylinder release also for decades. Hmmmm??

 

[rock doc]

I like the looks of an older revolver with its old style, but I prefer to use the ergonomical new style.

 

[dlbx2]

I am in the process of buying a 629-1 from a forum member. It has the new style, I have already called S&W and ordered the old style as a replacement. I have never shot or handled a S&W revolver with the new style, I just like the look of the older one. Is that being closed minded? Maybe. Is being addicted to the ones made from around 1980 and before also being closed minded? I don't think so. I just can't seem to feel good about owning anything that reminds me of the later ones. I bought a very nice 3.5 inch 27-8, blue, NIB about a year or more ago. The gun's finish was nice, the stocks had a rich, unusual grain. And it I thought that it had good balance. I had a good feeling about owning it when I was researching it and looking at the photos. But when I got it home, opened the case, I knew that I had made a mistake just because I didn't have that great feeling that the old ones gives me. On a good note, I was happy to sell it, and the new owner seemed happy to have found it. I am a retired public servant, and don't have the funds to go after the real, rare collectibles. So, visual appeal rules the day, and I just plain don't care for the newer ones. Seems like a small thing, don't it! DLB

 

[WardenRoss]

FWIW...

Back in the day, we used to cut down and polish the edges of the cyl release to help clear the speedloader.

Here is my old model 19 that I shot in competition...

 

[David Sinko]

As they come from the factory I don't like either of them. I grind away much of the bottom edge of the old style latch so that it doesn't tear up my thumb.

I must add that I have tried most of the aftermarket oversized latches and none of them does anything to increase the speed of my reloads. Some of them (like the Hogue) look downright ridiculous.

Dave Sinko

 

[Irelander]

Would the SDM old style latch interfere with a speed loader on a 629?

 

[Green Frog]

FWIW...

Back in the day, we used to cut down and polish the edges of the cyl release to help clear the speedloader.

Here is my old model 19 that I shot in competition...

What he said. I have that style on my Model 66 conversion (the infamous "Project 616" and wouldn't change it! In fact, my 686 ND is due to get one just like it very soon! Works for me!

Froggie

 

[Biginge]

I guess me an OP (CSG) are the only two that like the Colts cylinder latch better. Taking it a step further, I like the older Colts that are checkered on the latch "knob". They discontined the checkering a long time ago. The old Bullseye shooter, shooting one handed, used that cylinder latch and the checkering to "push out" just a tad.

Today I almost shoot totally two handed and when shooting my old Colts that checkered thumb latch is kinda like the third leg on a stool. Don't get me wrong my Smith & Wessons outnumber my Colts 15 to 1 or better.

When I shoot Smiths I just push on the back of the recoil shield with my thumb tip instead. 6'6" with large hands that right thumb gotta go somewhere. You should see my hands after a hundred or so rounds. Looks like I been digging in a bag of charcoal.

 

[fishcreekrim]

I prefer the old style, I have a new one on a 640-1 and it certainly doesn't bother me enough to consider changing it.