Cylinder movement?

[emilianoksa]

I know from experience that the cylinder of an S & W rotates in an anti clockwise direction, if viewed from the grip end.

Do all revolvers function in this way?

What about Rugers, Colts and Taurus revolvers? Do any of them revolve from left to right?

 

[MMCSRET]

S&W turn wrong, as you noted "anti". Colt and Ruger turn "right"

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks.

Which way do Taurus turn?

I imagine its "wrong" like Smith and Wesson.

 

[Dougr6]

cylinder rotation

Taurus Judge rotates counterclockwise
Ruger Security Six rotates counterclockwise
New Blackhawk .45 rotates clockwise
(looking from grip ends)

 

[ReloaderFred]

Just look at the cylinder and see which way the "arrows" point. The notches for the cylinder bolt are tapered on one side and will show you which way the cylinder turns.

Hope this helps.

Fred

PS: S&W got it right...........

 

[Manco]

You're all wrong. Due to the Coriolis Effect, revolver cylinders rotate counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere, just like cyclones and toilet drains.

 

[gwnorth]

All my rugers turn counter clockwise (GP100s and a Service Six).

 

[iScream]

I just looked at my revolvers and both my S&W (686 and 617) turn the same way as my Ruger Redhawk. Counter clockwise.

My Ruger Single Six turns clockwise.

All looking at them from the same direction as when shooting.

-Chris

 

[Racinbob]

OK Manco. What happens if a cyclone forms in the northern hemisphere and crosses the equator to the southern?

 

[MCgunner]

All my Rugers turn clockwise, 2 blackhawks and an old army. Of course, my P90 and P85 don't turn at all.

You're all wrong. Due to the Coriolis Effect, revolver cylinders rotate counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere, just like cyclones and toilet drains

Yes, but that is only of concern to snipers. My three Tauri and two Rossis came from the southern hemisphere. I guess they're AC/DC.

 

[Manco]

OK Manco. What happens if a cyclone forms in the northern hemisphere and crosses the equator to the southern?

No self-respecting cyclone would be so impudent--I'd like to see one try! First it would have to overcome the low-pressure system that forms on the side opposite the equator due to the stronger Coriolis force present there (in large systems), resulting in faster winds. If it's tenacious enough to do that, then it would likely be torn asunder by the opposite force of the one that created it in the first place. They're just not as sturdy as a good revolver with a forged steel cylinder that will work in either hemisphere.

As for revolvers, I would say that if you're playing Russian Roulette and have already pulled the trigger on an empty chamber once, you'll be able to play all day long if you cross the equator between trigger pulls. Just try and do that with a semiautomatic.

 

[Manco]

Taurus Judge rotates counterclockwise
Ruger Security Six rotates counterclockwise
New Blackhawk .45 rotates clockwise
(looking from grip ends)

All of this actually makes some sense:

Colt: always clockwise just because

Smith & Wesson: always counterclockwise just because (perhaps to be different from Colt?)

Ruger: double-actions counterclockwise just because, single-actions clockwise to imitate the Colt Single Action Army

Taurus: double-actions counterclockwise probably to imitate S&W, single-actions clockwise to imitate the Colt Single Action Army

 

[jad0110]

Manco's got it.

 

[orrwdd]

Yep. Manco's got it. No right or wrong about it, unless you are a brand snob, it just depends on how the clockworks are designed.

Bill

 

[RON in PA]

Back in the day when Colt and Smith and Wesson were really the only game in town, Colt used to make a big deal in its advertising, claiming that clockwise cylinder rotation was better because it pushed the cylinder tighter into the frame leading to better accuracy. As to whether there was anything to this I seriously doubt it. S&W made a big deal about their ejector rods being supported at both ends compared to the Colt ejector system unsupported at the front.

 

[sohcgt2]

As for revolvers, I would say that if you're playing Russian Roulette and have already pulled the trigger on an empty chamber once, you'll be able to play all day long if you cross the equator between trigger pulls. Just try and do that with a semiautomatic.

Since all my pistols are cycled by recoil, if I drop the hammer on an empty chamber once won't the chamber remain empty with no recoil to cycle the slide? Seems like you would have to change the name from from russian roulette to something like spanish shuffleboard.

 

[juzcallmesnake]

have shot most all makes of revolvers few go right some left one recoils and revolves and pistols rifles and shotguns some eject left, right, down, back and even straight up and some don't and I never cared as I still hit the target one trick / rule before you load up check breach face cylinder bores if it's got 'em and look down barrel especially if it ain't your smoke wagon... even if it is check anyway little critters and loose items can ruin your day and if your not sure ask better to be dead sure than just dead

 

[MachIVshooter]

Except for Colt, DA revolvers turn counter-clockwise, SA's turn clockwise. There may be other exceptions that I'm unaware of, but this has been my experience.

 

[Jim K]

The real difference is where the design of the lockwork allows the hand to go. If the hand is on the right, it will turn the cylinder CCW (as seen from the rear); if on the left, it will rotate the cylinder CW. That's all.

And BTW, some Colts (e.g., the Model 1892) have CCW rotating cylinders, and some of the early S&W's have CW rotating cylinders, so the "rule" isn't a rule unless it is limited to fairly modern guns.

Jim

 

[earlthegoat2]

The theory is that the Colt hand holds the cylinder in the frame to produce firmer lockup since its hand is on the left side and the cylinder swings out to the left thereby keeping the cylinder in the frame during firing. Instances where this has proven effective is anyones guess.

The majority of folks agree that S&Ws turn CCW just because they wanted to be different than Colt. I tend to think that in theory the S&W system is better because of their multiple locking points but in practice they are probably both the same.

On another angle the Ruger Securuty Six never seemed to have any strength problems with the CCW rotation.

 

[Jim K]

I strongly recommend against playing Russian roulette by dropping one round in the chamber of an auto pistol and pulling the trigger. The odds are a bit short.

Jim

 

[pezo]

single actions generally turn clockwise. Double actions counter clockwise from grip view. However their are many exceptions. Like colt DA's I JUST REALIZED THIS WAS ALREADY SAID.

 

[navyretired 1]

North/South

Racinbob stick to guns your weather is a little off. But it's a cool joke.