Is this a good ball detent?

[MrBorland]

A few days ago, I had a chance to check out one of the new M69s and M66s that have this ball detent. They looked just like the OP's, and the lockup was good. I was surprised that it took the nudge it did to get the cylinder open.

 

[Master Blaster]

Here is a pic of my 627PC. AN AWESOME SHOOTING REVOLVER. No its not centered and is not supposed to be. Better questions for the OP, does the crane latch tightly closed and stay closed on firing, How does the gun shoot?

 

[BigG]

Nope.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Absolutely not and a manufacturer defending it as being within their standards demonstrates standards not worthy of your money.

 

[buck460XVR]

Here is a tech drawing supposedly posted by a S&W engineer on the S&W forums about the ball detent and how it is supposed to look/work.' Looks vaguely familiar, eh?

 

[45_auto]

As a mechanical design engineer for over 30 years, I'm really surprised how many people on this forum don't realize how a simple inclined plane works.

The picture above (just like the OP's revolver) shows a perfectly machined locking angle and plunger ball.

The force from the plunger spring pushing the ball against the OUTSIDE angle (right side as shown) provides an INWARD force pushing the crane closed, which is the WHOLE PURPOSE of the forward lock.

If the ball was centered in the notch, there would be ZERO force pushing the crane closed.

If the ball was slightly to the LEFT of center in the notch, the ball would push the crane OPEN until the ball centered in the notch.

Smith and Wessons note that the notch and ball are perfectly machined is correct.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Change of mind!

I realize upon reviewing the OP photo that - on quickly glancing - I was taking the reflected light for the ball.

Seeing the actual ball deeper in - that firearm is just fine.