Question on a S&W 66-1 2 1/2 combat magnum

[Deaf Smith]

Folks,

I found a 2 1/2 66-1 (yes recessed chambers but this one did not have a pinned in barrel.) Has flash chromed hammer and trigger and red insert front sight. Someone put Rogers/Safariland grips on it.

Well of course I slapped a lay-away as it was for a real good price.

Now, I notice the crane that swings the cylinder open and shut. There the crane meets the cylinder (it's a hole in the front of the frame) I noticed the crane moves a bit like it was loose in the frame hole.

Example:

Notice my 625 .45 ACP. Notice where the crane inserts into the frame (right in front of the bottom of the cylinder.) That is where there is some movement sideways of the crane.

Any idea if that is a problem?

You open the cylinder and there is a bit of play where the crane meets the frame. The play is not fore and aft but a bit sideways as if the crane is a bit smaller in diameter than the hole in the cylinder.

Gun locks fine, action works fine (even times on all six chambers) but could it the the screw that holds in the crane is a bit short or the wrong screw?

Any ideas?

Thanks

Deaf

 

[sgt127]

Sorry. I'm not real sure I understand your symptom.

First thing to try, swap the two round headed sideplate screws, they could have been mixed up before you got the gun.

The screw that holds the crane into the frame is fitted. It may be a little short due to wear.

Action: Replace and fit new screw.

The other possibility is the side of the screw has worn a groove into the button on the end of the yoke where it fits in the frame.

Action: lightly strike the side of the button where the wear is bending it towards the front of the gun when installed. (This is a tricky repair. It requires supporting the yoke tube and bending it "just" enough )

 

[Deaf Smith]

Thanks sgt.

Right now I haven/t gotten the gun (lay-away) but I thought about the screws being in the wrong places.

When I get it out of hock, I will do my super clean job (it needed it bad) and thy the screw swap first and examine the crain for any excessive wear.

And yes, I still have that 19-5 2 1/2 Combat Magnum. I'm a fool for snub K frames!

Deaf

 

[jad0110]

I don't mean to be obtuse, but are you sure that's a Model 66? Judging by the underlug, it looks a lot more like a 2.5" 686. Maybe it is just the lighting in the picture.

As for the symptom you describe, it sounds a little like what my Model 66 does: a little bit of side to side play in the crane assembly when the cylinder is open. It is slight enough that when I close the action there is no further movement at that lower point. I just keep an eye on it.

I could be misinterpreting the problem though.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, that for sure isn't a Model 66.

It is a 686.

They never made a 66 with that full-lug barrel on it that I know of.


rc

 

[Lucky Derby]

I don't mean to be obtuse, but are you sure that's a Model 66? Judging by the underlug, it looks a lot more like a 2.5" 686. Maybe it is just the lighting in the picture.

As for the symptom you describe, it sounds a little like what my Model 66 does: a little bit of side to side play in the crane assembly when the cylinder is open. It is slight enough that when I close the action there is no further movement at that lower point. I just keep an eye on it.

I could be misinterpreting the problem though.

Read the entire post. The gun in the pic is a 625. The OP is using it for comparison to the 66 which is still on lay-a-way/

 

[Deaf Smith]

Sorry if I confused you guys but yes, it's a 625 3 inch .45 ACP.

I use .45 Supers, .45 Auto Rim, and .45 ACPs (which kick like a .38 with wadcutters) in it.

I only used it for comparison as I haven't got the gun off lay-away yet (and that's cause I ALSO have a Colt Police Positive in .32 New Police on lay way to!)

Christmas is coming to the Smith house!

Deaf

 

[Lucky Derby]

Sorry if I confused you guys but yes, it's a 625 3 inch .45 ACP.

I use .45 Supers, .45 Auto Rim, and .45 ACPs (which kick like a .38 with wadcutters) in it.

I only used it for comparison as I haven't got the gun off lay-away yet (and that's cause I ALSO have a Colt Police Positive in .32 New Police on lay way to!)

Christmas is coming to the Smith house!

Deaf

Do show pics of the Colt when you get it. Always thought the Police Positive was the handiest revolver made.

 

[bannockburn]

Deaf Smith

Wow that's some kind of good fortune to have a S&W Model 66 and a Colt Police Positive on layaway! Look forward to hearing more about them when you get them home.

 

[MrBorland]

I noticed the crane moves a bit like it was loose in the frame hole.

The play is not fore and aft but a bit sideways as if the crane is a bit smaller in diameter than the hole in the cylinder.

could it the the screw that holds in the crane is a bit short or the wrong screw?

I'm no gunsmith, but I seriously doubt it's the yoke screw. The screw's meant to prevent fore/aft, not lateral, movement of the yoke (i.e. keeping the yoke from sliding forward off the frame). The screw shouldn't be adding lateral tension to the yoke barrel, or else you'd have trouble opening the cylinder (and would gall the channel the screw rests in when you did).

AFAIK, there shouldn't be lateral movement of the yoke barrel in the frame. I'd be cautious, as I'd be suspecting the gun's seen a lot of hot loads and has been shot loose. I could be wrong, but I'd rather err on the side of caution if it were me. It's not that rare of a gun.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well when I inspected it it had no end shake and very little cylinder wobble (due to the cylinder stop being worn.) And that is why I took the risk and slapped a lay-a-way.

Just a short while ago I found a S&W 19-5 snub for $400, tax included. The cylinder dragged on two chambers and the cylinder latch would not open some times. Took it apart and with the help of Sgt127 got the whole thing back to normal operation. Just replaced the cylinder pin (with a stainless one) and gave the ejector rod a few 'corrections' with a rubber mallet, the cylinder stop with a bit thicker one, and the latch bolt I polished out the burr that kept it from opening sometimes.

I'm a fool for S&W K snubs!

I get the Colt PP this weekend. I have .32 S&W Long dies and 100 gr slugs here as well as brass and yep, I'll do some mild reloads. I'll photo it with my I frame S&W .32 (both should have been built in 1912.)

Deaf

 

[9mmepiphany]

My first thought was that you have a sprung crane...like when someone Bogarts a gun and closes the cylinder with a flick of the wrist.

You'll have to post pictures when you get a chance so we can all see exactly when you are referring to.

The good thing is that it is an easy fix...involves a Q-tip and a lead babbit; swung by a knowledgeable hand