Why the Cylinder Drag Line?

[Bigfifty]

I don't know, but.....

I've been shooting since I was 8, and am over 60 now.
I have seen plenty of Colts, Rugers, Ubertis, that do not have the drag line, and have function very well. I'm not saying that all revolvers, of the above makers noted, do not have a drag line,
but I have seen many many more S&W with the drag line than most of the other three mentioned.
Why could S&W/Colt/Ruger/etc., not make a slight depression around the cylinder where the line appears ? Sometimes, it's just a matter of aesthetics, but for the uninformed (like me) it just looks terrible, and is heart breaking for the first time buyers to see that they have damaged their brand new revolver through no fault of their own.
It's just a VERY ugly result, that although you say is very important to the correct function of the revolver, has always bothered me (I know, "get a life!" is what your saying) ( )

 

[Alk8944]

You simply are not listening!

S&W could have designed the lockwork differently, no question! But they didn't. The other brands you mention are different internally than S&W, and, in fact, Colts of both single- and double-action types do develop a turn line, it is just different than the S&W.

You have fallen into the erroneous philosophy of "It's not how I would have done it, so it's wrong"!

 

[OLDSTER]

The first two things I look at when considering a used revolver are the screws and the "drag line". Indicators of a well maintained and well timed revolver are good screws, and a thin, well centered drag line. So in that regard the line can be a buyers tool

 

[Smoke52]

No real comments about the turn line as it is simply a result of using the gun and I do not find issue with the appearance on the cylinder.

Enjoy this older thread from the semi auto section though. Similar but different!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/359047-e-series-bobtail-grip-safety.html

 

[Mike@NDS]

Let's say the latch is dragging waiting to lock in the slot for the lockup. In easy understandable terms. It's ok.

Is the latch too high?
Can it be trimmed? Don't know.

But I never seen a Smith cylinder yet that locks up tight like a colt.

My re-imported surplus DAO 64-5 is the tightest Smith I've ever owned.

Absolutely a bank vault.

 

[Stophel]

This is a Colt SAA thing. On the SAA and earlier percussion guns, the cylinder stop stays down and only pops up just before slipping into the notch on the cylinder. If you see a "dreaded drag line" on an old Colt, that means there's something wrong. But a Smith & Wesson ain't a single action Colt. The cylinder stop rides along on the cylinder. That's just the way it works.

 

[Jerry N.]

What if the cylinder stop was a little more refined. Smooth off any edges and polish the face that contacts the cylinder. Wouldn't that significantly reduce the line?

I don't mind the line at all, but just thinking about what is causing it.

 

[Arik]

How do you guys even manage to see the line?

 

[3S16]

I wonder if applying a dab of lube where the line would track would help?

 

[shouldazagged]

I like racing stripes on a revolver!

Well put.

 

[jtcarm]

I've been shooting since I was 8, and am over 60 now.
I have seen plenty of Colts, Rugers, Ubertis, that do not have the drag line, and have function very well. I'm not saying that all revolvers, of the above makers noted, do not have a drag line,
but I have seen many many more S&W with the drag line than most of the other three mentioned

Sounds like you have a lot of experience, but empirically, it's not a even a crystal in the iceberg, much less the tip.

It could be that you see it more on S&Ws simply because there simply are more of them. Browse the revolver category on Gunbroker on any given day and you'll see the S&Ws for sale outnumber the next closest brand, Ruger, by almost two to one. That's been consistent over a number of years.

BTW I've been shooting revolvers almost as long, including a lot of Ruger SAs, and have yet to see any revolver that didn't develop turn lines. It's just the nature of the beast.

 

[brucev]

Dreaded drag line? In what world? The reason you have not seen a S&W revolver w/o the little line on the cylinder is b/c that is how it is designed. It's like a Colt stacking in DA shooting, inconvenient to say the least... but part of the design. It is no different than the scuff mark on a magazine used in a AR-15 or AK-47.

Doubtless a pristine unfired firearm is going to sell for more than a equal revolver that has been fired. That's just the way things go. A pretty 1966 Mustang will bring a nice price. A 1966 Mustang that is showroom new will bring a much better price. It's just the way things go. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Terry]

Revolvers have to be designed like this. A spring maintains tension on the cylinder stop so it will drop into the cylinder stop notch to lock up the cylinder. If you notice there is a small taper to guide the stop into the notch. Needless to say there is always spring tension on the cylinder stop and the more the revolver is shot the more noticeable the ring will be.

 

[bgrafsr]

What if the cylinder stop was a little more refined. Smooth off any edges and polish the face that contacts the cylinder. Wouldn't that significantly reduce the line?

I don't mind the line at all, but just thinking about what is causing it.

I normally polish the ball of the cylinder stop to a smooth finish with very fine crocus cloth or a polishing stick in a Dremel. Doesn't stop the line from forming, but it sure makes it smoother and less prone to further wear.

 

[Hapworth]

Let's say the latch is dragging waiting to lock in the slot for the lockup. In easy understandable terms. It's ok.

Is the latch too high?
Can it be trimmed? Don't know.

But I never seen a Smith cylinder yet that locks up tight like a colt.

By design, S&Ws don't lock up as tightly as a Colt; the pleasant result is a revolver that stays "in time" longer.

A qualified revolversmith can clean a properly machined and functioning cylinder stop a little and perhaps reduce the turn line slightly, but it would be more effort than it's worth for the final product; ultimately, there will still be a turn line.

An unqualified tinkerer can attempt the same and end up needing a new cylinder stop.

 

[Brasky]

It's about the same as asking why no company makes tires that do no wear out when used

 

[wogentry]

Are you comparing single action to double action revolvers? My Colt SAAs don't have a drag line as long as they are in time and you are careful when you load, taking the revolver from half cock to full cock and lowering the hammer on an empty chamber. Double action, I haven't seen a Smith or Colt without a dragline. I will say that I have some Smith & Wessons with a very faint dragline despite being used regularly but they are older revolvers and have in my opinion better hand fitting than the more modern ones.

 

[Doubless]

I am sorry, but this **** about you cannot design a revolver that doesn't leave a drag line is just that. I have two FAs, and neither of them have that drag line. They are single actions, granted, but that timing lock does not kick up until the lead-in for the timing notch is where it is supposed to be.

And for the price some guys are asking for their Model 16-4s and 17s, they darned well shouldn't have that turn line! But they do. You can buy a darned nice FA for what some of these guys are asking for their revolvers.

I will agree that it is the way the revolver was designed, but it could have been designed differently. At least that is my sincere opinion.

But I am wrong a lot.

 

[steelslaver]

It could have been designed differently and then it might not have been one of the most reliable revolvers in history. It could have been designed like a Freedom Arms single action then it would have been just a single action and not nearly as useful for its intended purpose. It could have been a more complicated design like Colt and no longer produced.

It is what it is and thats a S&W. A S&W has a drag line and thats why guys like Ed McGivern could fire 5 rounds in less than 1/2 second.

 

[Bigfifty]

Find it hard to rationalize

Most everybody concurs that if the revolver is working correctly, the drag line is a sign of manufacturers designing the firearms that way/for the revolver to function correctly.
I just can't buy the explanation that the drag line implicates that the revolver is functioning "correctly".

Then, why, for what unfathomable reason, do S&W & Colt put so much time in presenting such beautiful blued/nickel finishes, just to see that the revolver is "functioning" correctly, and all the time knowing that that finish will be marred/disfigured the first time the new owner cycles the cylinder?

Makes absolutely no sense with the talented gunsmiths they employ. By now you'd think one of those gifted gunsmith/engineers would provide a solution (?).