S&W cylinder lock-up issues

[Action_Can_Do]

Hello everyone. I was examining my S&W 460 when I noticed something odd. I dry-fired it a few times around the cylinder and I noticed that the cylinder did not always lock up before the hammer dropped. If I touched the cylinder after the hammer dropped without moving my finger off of the trigger, I could then hear the cylinder locking into place. It would only do this with two chambers but it did it consistently with those same two chambers. What am I dealing with here?

 

[evan price]

Your timing is off, this is called delayed carry-up. Needs to have a good S&W 'smith look at it, or a trip back to S&W for a freshening up. Big gun, big loads, it happens.

 

[Old Fuff]

In a S&W revolver the hand pushes on the cylinder's ratchet tooth and rotates the cylinder until it slides upward while passing the side of the tooth. In your case it is sliding too soon before the cylinder has fully rotated, but apparently on only two chambers.

There can be a number of reasons for this, and without having the gun "in hand" I won't waste time speculating. However in most cases the cure is not expensive. I suggest that you return the revolver to the maker and have it checked over. There is a remote chance they might even fix it under warrantee.

Call (800) 331-0852

 

[Action_Can_Do]

Thank you gentlemen. Considering this gun has less than 100 rounds fired through it and already had to take a trip back to S&W for a previous problem, I hope they'll fix it for free

 

[Old Fuff]

If it's been back once they should have caught the carry-up (rotation) problem when they (hopefully) inspected it. When you send it back write a note to explain that this is the second time.

 

[18DAI]

I don't remember why but I was told by a well known gunsmith to check S&W revolver timing with the gun in my right hand (I'm a lefty) and snap caps in the charge holes.

Like I say, I don't recall the explanation but a 66-2 I have exhibits DCU in my left hand while timing perfectly in my right. Go figure! Hope this helps!

 

[unspellable]

The point of the snap caps is to add a bit of drag. I accomplish the same thing by putting a finger of the off hand on the cylinder and adding a bit of drag. Not a lot.

If the dealer at the gun show objects to this with some bs about wear on the hand, walk away, the odds are 20 to 1 the revolver already has a carry up problem.