How to properly close the cylinder on a revolver (NOT about flipping it shut)

[Caedo]

Hey everyone,

So I've been really enjoying my new S&W 66, but I've run into a question of great philosophical and theological importance....

Just kidding. I'm actually concerned with how to properly close the cylinder. I have seen just about everyone in my life close their revolver by the cylinder itself; that is, they close it by pushing the cylinder into the frame, rather than shutting it by the yoke. I don't know if either method is better than the other as far as what is good for the gun and what isn't.

I hope this makes any sense at all. Thanks!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Anything but flipping it shut is fine.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I agree with post 2.
Anything you do to close it is not going to result in damage (that is, if it is a S&W ---- ha ha, kidding)!

You could get two new revolvers and open and close them both 30,000 times and I bet you would be hard-pressed seeing any difference in them after that many closings.

Now, flip it closed like in the cowboy movies and you might be lucky to reach the 200 mark before noticing things loosening up or jamming as the parts are started to get mashed and bent!

 

[Sam1911]

I use the "transfer" style reload, so when I drop the speedloader I tend to do a combination of a roll of the cylinder with the support hand thumb and a roll of the frame to the left with the strong hand to get it slammed shut as fast as possible. Revolver reloads are S_L_O_W as it is, my times/scores aren't going to look any better if I stand there pressing the crane home with my pinky.

But no, I'd never "flip" it shut. That's just dumb.

 

[BADUNAME37]

exactly!

 

[BYJO4]

I always push the cylinder closed. Flipping is a no no.

 

[Gondo]

For minimal peening of the stop notches, I always try to line the top round up with the forcing cone as closely as possible, the push the cylinder shut with my thumb. You would be surprised at how quickly this becomes habit and how easy it is to hit it perfectly after a little practice. This will also minimize the turn line on the cylinder as no further alignment is necessary.
Gondo.....

 

[bergmen]

This how I was taught:

First, I am right handed so right=strong, left=weak.

1) I place the revolver in the upward facing palm of my weak hand with the muzzle pointed safely to my left (I rotate my body slightly so the muzzle is downrange if necessary).

2) With strong hand thumb, actuate the cylinder release while simultaneously grasping the cylinder with my weak thumb and two middle fingers of my weak hand.

3) Swing cylinder open with thumb/fingers as described above.

At this time the handgun is in complete control of the weak hand. It can easily be rotated by wrist to muzzle-vertical with strong hand striking the ejector, dumping empties on the ground.

4) Rotate revolver by wrist to muzzle down to orient for speed-strips, speedloader or individual cartridges to reload.

5) Move cylinder into latched position with weak thumb and index into cylinder locked position.

6) Transfer revolver to strong hand to build stance and resume shooting.

Dan

 

[sugarmaker]

Another item relevant to extending revolver life:

Rapid DA pull or SA hammer cock (as in "fanning") letting the bolt / hand stop the rapidly rotating cylinder. OK in an emergency, but done regularly it's not good.

 

[Sam1911]

Rapid DA pull ... letting the bolt / hand stop the rapidly rotating cylinder. OK in an emergency, but done regularly it's not good.

I don't know. I bought my 629 to shoot matches with. I shoot it as fast as I'm able to find the sights, every time it comes out of the holster. Seems to me Ed McGivern, Bill Jordan, Jerry Miculek, Bob Munden, and a couple of other guys do (or did) as well. Maybe even faster than me!

Guess you can baby them if you want, but ...

 

[MrBorland]

Guess you can baby them if you want, but ...

Yep - I'm with Sam1911. Besides, rapid DA fire in and of itself doesn't peen the stop or the slots as much or as quickly as you'd think, IMO. A smooth DA trigger pull is key. All bets are off with a herky jerky pull, though.

5) Move cylinder into latched position with weak thumb and index into cylinder locked position.

6) Transfer revolver to strong hand to build stance and resume shooting.

If speed is a concern, multi-task here: Re-establish your strong-hand grip as soon as the rounds get loaded, then click the cylinder closed with the butt of your weak thumb and re-establish your weak-hand grip as you're raising the gun. Instead of Click.........Bang, it's ClickBang. See? Faster.

 

[jehicks87]

This is going to sound stupid, I'm sure, but please keep in mind that I am not a revolver guy. I shoot Glocks and Berettas and such.

Why is flipping the cylinder closed a bad thing?

 

[tubeshooter]

If you think you'll ever sell the revolver, and you're willing to learn the habit, Gondo's advice actually sounds good. Minimizing that turn line is worth its weight in gold to any buyer.


If everything you've got is a "keeper", or not distinct and collectible enough to warrant this, or you just don't want to go to the trouble, then I'd just go with post #2.

 

[oldfool]

Why is flipping the cylinder closed a bad thing?
really guys, it may sound surprising, but a lot of very competent gun folk just don't know what we all assume

wrist flipping that cylinder shut risks bending the elector rod, and that can very easily screw with the cylinder/bore alignment. Even a little of that is not good, will mess up 'timing'; a lot of it, and you are looking at replacing parts. It's just too easy to "not do" it instead of doing it, no matter how cool it looks in the movies. NO revolver guy would do it.

Me I really don't pay much attention to how I close the cylinder, mostly just push it shut with my off hand, sometimes slow, sometimes fast. It's for shooting, not selling.

 

[jehicks87]

Why is flipping the cylinder closed a bad thing?
really guys, it may sound surprising, but a lot of very competent gun folk just don't know what we all assume

wrist flipping that cylinder shut risks bending the elector rod, and that can very easily screw with the cylinder/bore alignment. Even a little of that is not good, will mess up 'timing'; a lot of it, and you are looking at replacing parts. It's just too easy to "not do" it instead of doing it, no matter how cool it looks in the movies. NO revolver guy would do it.

THANK YOU for explaining it in a The High Road fashion, and not a flame-fest. Seriously. I was worried... lol

But cool, duly noted. I had never heard it was bad before. Never. But, like I said, I'm not really a revolver guy.

 

[1911Tuner]

Flipping it shut isn't good form, but it's not nearly as bad as flipping it open...which springs the yoke and crane. Bad JuJu.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

In addition to pushing the cylinder closed in a controlled manner, be sure to align the chambers as it is possible to put the cylinder between chambers. Do this by turning it in the direction of rotation (if you aren't sure, just observe the cylinder as you slowly cock the hammer) until it clicks and stops turning.

 

[oldfool]

let's not spook anybody though, they ain't made of glass, a good modern revolver is a tough machine, just takes a little familiarity and common sense handling
no different than autoloaders

How many times you seen movie guys SLAM that magazine home ?
some you can, some you best not
autoloader guys know that, not all wheelie guys do

and why hanging around THR is worth 10,000 times worth the price of admission

 

[bergmen]

If speed is a concern, multi-task here: Re-establish your strong-hand grip as soon as the rounds get loaded, then click the cylinder closed with the butt of your weak thumb and re-establish your weak-hand grip as you're raising the gun. Instead of Click.........Bang, it's ClickBang. See? Faster.

Yes, very good technique here. That is a very good way to quickly establish a solid defensive presentation.

Good points!

Dan