Cylinder flutes don't line up perfect on each side of frame--problem???

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ExMachina

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New S&W 22-4 (so, a 6 shot revolver).

Something looks weird about how the cylinder indexes--if you look @ the (unloaded) gun from the front, the chambers don't look perfectly even as they line up. It looks like the cylinder is always a tiny bit over-rotated.

Then I looked at the flutes to see how they align with the topstrap, and sure enough, on one side of the topstrap, the flute is always slightly under the topstrap while on the other there is always a little bit of the cylinder flat showing before the flute (make sense?). This strange alignment is consistent from chamber to chamber.

Sounds like a timing issue perhaps? However, if I look down the barrel with a flashlight I can't SEE a timing problem with any of the chambers.

So is this just something about how the frame was made? How the cylinder was made??

Doesn't anybody else have a six gun like this?

I'm trying to decide if it's a real problem that I want S&W to address.

Thanks for any advice.
 
A problem? Yes, I think so. But if the chambers line up and the gun is in time, it is more a cosmetic problem than otherwise.

I think a phone call or letter to S&W might be advisable. Tell them that you see a problem and you would like to return the gun so they can look at it. I think they might have you return it on their dime and fix it. Even if it doesn't affect the shooting, it won't look right and will detract from their product.

Jim
 
Thanks Jim. You are correct that it's a problem on at least one level, especially on a brand new Classic Series.

That puts the list of problems for the S&W service shop to address at 8 :what:...hope they like to read :D
 
I have exactly the same trouble with my brand new S&W 500 4":

Cylinder.jpg

The flutes asymmetric is really noticeable when you look from the top. The right side of the frame continues in the flute without the step; and there is a well- noticeable step on the left side; the cylinder looks shifted to the left. I clearly understand that the trouble is cosmetic-only. But I don't want any cosmetic defects on the new gun with $1319 MSRP! I sent an e-mail to S&W; we will see how fast they will respond.
 
I have a S&W M640 with flutes not centered between chambers.
Didn't notice it until I had it nicely engraved and the pattern did not show the same on both sides. Oh, well, it still looks pretty and shoots well.
 
My 686-6 is perfect. I keep reading about all the problems folks are having with the new Smith's. I don't have a single issue with mine, did I just get lucky?
 
My revolver's @ S&W right now. We'll see how they handle it.

Seems like a new cylinder would not be an unreasonable solution.
 
I have a 66-2, and a 66-5, and 1980s 29. If someone were to ask me what I think of S&Ws my reply would be they are a strong and beautiful wheel gun. I also have some Ruger's but they are just plain strong and don't have the same precision functions of my Smiths. Don't get me wrong, a Super Red Hawk is one of the most beautiful wheel guns I've ever seen, but there is still something about a Smith that puts it in a class all it's own. I have no problem with other brands either, having several Taurus wheelies and auto loaders and like them for their specific plus features too. Actually, I think we, us, have an addiction to which leads us to want a little bit of everything out there, and if resources allow, to own a little bit of everything.
 
This is a sad commentary on a once proud American gun maker. Wonder how much more "corner cutting" and "production cost reductions" Smith and make before they are just another name like Taurus or Rossi. Dang!

Dave
 
I think the next cost cutting measure will be making there guns over seas. Yea it's sad to see a once great company go down hill so fast. And I'm sure they will blame the unions. That's the easiest way out.
 
I have exactly the same trouble with my brand new S&W 500 4". The flutes asymmetric is really noticeable when you look from the top. The right side of the frame continues in the flute without the step; and there is a well- noticeable step on the left side; the cylinder looks shifted to the left. I clearly understand that the trouble is cosmetic-only. But I don't want any cosmetic defects on the new gun with $1319 MSRP! I sent an e-mail to S&W; we will see how fast they will respond.
Click to expand...
Last week on Wednesday I was passing by Springfield MA during my business trip; and I just dropped the pistol to S&W plant for repair. Today - just in one week! - I received it back in the mail. The cylinder was changed to the new one, it is nice and neat now; b/c gap was adjusted to 0.006” (from 0.01”). Good service! Thank you S&W!
 
Flutes are all BS...people get wrapped around the axle on something that just does not enter into it....all cosmetic...that's why any company that makes revolvers just needs to do away with machining flutes....my opinion...........
 
FYI, S&W replaced my cylinder (for other reasons)

The new cylinder also has the flutes off-center. though not by as much.

Strange since I has always assumed that the cylinder was all machined at the same time; looks like instead the chambers and stops are machined after the flutes are cut.
 
Flutes are all BS...people get wrapped around the axle on something that just does not enter into it....all cosmetic...
Click to expand...

It's true, but most of what we pay for when it comes to guns is cosmetic, right?

I mean heck, this is a revolver forum after all--if we truly had hearts of stone and thought that beauty was a waste of time we'd all be shooting Glocks :D
 
You, my friend, have just opened up a BIIIIIIIG can of worms. Every revolver owner on this forum, me included, is going to check them all. Manufacturers' switchboards and servers will go into smokin' overload.
 
ExMachina said:
FYI, S&W replaced my cylinder (for other reasons)

The new cylinder also has the flutes off-center. though not by as much.

Strange since I has always assumed that the cylinder was all machined at the same time; looks like instead the chambers and stops are machined after the flutes are cut.
Click to expand...
But it is a very simple thing to have a jig/tool in the machine that assures proper alignment. A detail very easy to be consistent about. Especially since we are talking premium guns, and the cost to do it right should be already calculated in....
 
>>Every revolver owner on this forum, me included, is going to check them all.<<

Not all of us are that "anal". :p
 
Not all of us are that "anal".
Click to expand...

i know that you're half-joking and i agreee that if it's not something that you notice then it's not a problem. but the first cylinder that shipped with my gun really looked weird.
 
But it is a very simple thing to have a jig/tool in the machine that assures proper alignment. A detail very easy to be consistent about. Especially since we are talking premium guns, and the cost to do it right should be already calculated in....
Click to expand...

the scary thing is that if there's no quality control here, flutes that are too off center could result in chamber walls that are too thin.

therefore, we have to assume that S&W does check for this, which means that those cylinders with noticeably off-center flutes were deemed "acceptable"
 
Two S&W's both PERFECT........

OK,
I had to check my two S&W's and they are both PERFECT.
Both are perfect through every stop of the cylinder!
 
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"if we truly had hearts of stone and thought that beauty was a waste of time we'd all be shooting Glocks"

I have nothing to add.
 
Flutes are all BS...people get wrapped around the axle on something that just does not enter into it....all cosmetic...that's why any company that makes revolvers just needs to do away with machining flutes....my opinion...........
Click to expand...
Flutes do reduce the rotating mass of the cylinder, which in turn reduces wear & tear from rapid double action firing.
 
people get wrapped around the axle on something that just does not enter into it....all cosmetic
Click to expand...

so when you buy a new car you don't care if the paint is all the same color because it is just "cosmetic"?



I would care.

And the fact that these guns make it out of the factory demonstrates just how far a once great company has fallen.

Very sad.
 
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