[outfieldjack]

My 340pd cylinder turns counter-clockwise... is that normal? All other revolvers I have fired turn clockwise.....

Thanks,
Jack

[Mike Irwin]

For S&W yes, that is normal.

[Nightcrawler]

So which way do the cylinders spin on Ruger, Colt, and Taurus Revolvers? What about the Dan Wesson?

[10-Ring]

Yeah, the S&W's are counter clockwise & the Tauri are also counter clockwise ;)

[TallPine]

SA - clockwise
DA - counter-clockwise

(assuming you are pointing the gun away from you)

At least on everything I have ever handled.

But I don't know why this is so ... ?


Maybe, It's a Tradition!

On the other hand .... :)

[Mike Irwin]

"So which way do the cylinders spin on Ruger, Colt, and Taurus Revolvers? What about the Dan Wesson?"

Beats me. I don't own any of those.

[Hkmp5sd]

SA - clockwise
DA - counter-clockwise


True for many, but not all. My DA .22WMR Charter Arms Pathfinder rotates counter-clockwise.

[M58]

My guns:
Colt DA clock
Colt SA clock

Smith DA/SA counter


as seen from the shooter's end.

[Old Fuff]

Rule of thumb: On double-action/hand ejector style revolvers the cylinder will rotate towand the side opposite of the sideplate.

Ruger's don't have a sideplate, but rotate counter-clockwise.

[Jim K]

It depends on which side the designer put the hand. Hand on left, the cylinder will rotate to the right (clockwise to the shooter); hand on the right (the cylinder will rotate to the left (counterclockwise). The double or single action has nothing to do with it, nor does make, always. For example, some older S&W's rotate to the right, some older Colts to the left.

For a quick check, look at the little "arrows" leading to the cylinder notches. Those are the leades and they "point" in the direction of cylinder rotation.

Jim

[BluesBear]

Single Action - Clockwise

most US Double Action - Counter-Clockwise

Charter Arms - Clockwise

Colt DA - Clockwise
(except for the 1892/95/97 New Army and New Navy revolvers - these were the ONLY Colts to turn Counter-Clockwise.

most British DA - Clockwise

[sm]

My uncle taught me " smith's go counter-clockwise, colts go the wrong direction". Well when your knee high to a giraffe, it makes sense.:)

No disrespect to Colt owners, I'd just always remembered him answering and explaining my questions in such manners. This thread just brought up an old memory...thanks.

[boing]

My older Dan Wesson ran clockwise.

[Bainx]

North of the equator, they go clockwise
South of the equator, they go counterclockwise
On the equator, they tilt:D

[DF357]

clockwise. SW66 CC.

[JohnBT]

I used to own an 1884 S&W break-top .38 and it seems to me the cylinder turned like a modern Colt...IOW opposite a modern Smith. JT

[JoeHatley]

Just as an aside... I recently took the Iowa CCW test. The written test had 50 questions, 3 of them delt with cylinder rotation. I was kinda suprised, but happily answered them all correctly.

Joe

[Checkman]

Before autoloaders became more popular wasn't this a perrenial debate? Which is better clockwise or coutnerclockwise? Sort of like the 9mm vs. the 45 debate? Old timers what say you?

[RON in PA]

Colt used to use their clock-wise rotation as an advertising sales point against Smith, claiming that it produced a better lockup.