K Frame parts

[rbernie]

I've been going thru a friend's box o' K frame parts and noticed that the star extractors do NOT seem to interchange - the pins were in different spots. Why would S&W do that?

 

[HSMITH]

The ratchet stars are fitted to each gun to ensure timing is correct, but I think the pins were put in with no particular orientation since it isn't important.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Why would S&W do that?

Probably because it could. I mean that literally.

 

[Sunray]

'K' frames are older than dirt. They've been chambered in all kinds of cartridges. A .38 Special doesn't use the same extractor as a .32-20.

 

[Old Fuff]

Over the years these revolvers sometimes had two pins, and sometimes one. During WW-2 the change was made to speed up production, otherwise it was a cost-cutting move. As someone pointed out each revolver had the extractor star individually fitted, and they were sometimes serial numbered with the gun. This was necessary to insure the star matched the chambers. You probably will not be able to use them in other cylinders.