S&W Revolver Cylinder Cleaning

[tws3b2]

Just wondering how often would a revolver cylinder need to be removed for cleaning. My 642-1 is around 15 or so years old and the cylinder has never been removed for cleaning. No problems with it. Just a slow day and my mind got to wondering around the gun department and came up with this question. Now and then, More often or never?

 

[JimCunn]

If you feel it starting to bind up, clean it.

 

[Y-T71]

I pull the cylinder from my 642 about once a year.

You'd be amazed how much lint works its way into every nook and cranny when you pocket carry.

Others (as mentioned above) when they feel sluggish.

 

[lightman]

Every time I clean the barrel.

 

[mcb]

I only pull a cylinder out of the frame if there are issues. I have never had to remove one for cleaning and I have some pretty high round count revolvers from use in USPSA competition.

 

[.38 Special]

I'm another one who essentially never removes a DA cylinder without specific cause.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I have messed up a lot of stuff in life by taking it apart when it did not need to be. So, I'm in the camp of leave it alone till it shows signs of an issue.

 

[trackskippy]

I only take them off the frame and give it a good flush with Gun Scrubber if its to the point it wont spin freely. I dont take them apart beyond that though, as theres no point. No do I do it very often.

The last time I had to do a bunch of them was when someone said Frog Lube was great stuff and I believed them. Just an FYI...DONT use Frog Lube!

Normally, I just put a drop or two of oil on the yoke at the cylinder when Im done cleaning and give it a spin.

The only other thing you want to check is, make sure the ejector rod is tight, and clean well under the extractor star.

 

[UncleEd]

Thank goodness most posters aren't Cylinder-Removal-Nazis.

The secret is minimal thin oil occasionally applied in certain areas
such as the yoke, along the sides of the hammer and trigger areas,
letting the oil trickle inside. A drop or two will do you. I use Rem
Oil but similar such as 3-in-1 are good.

A decent guide to the whole S&W world is the video entitled
"The New S&W Model 19 Classic--a S&W armorer's review."

 

[Pat Riot]

Thank goodness most posters aren't Cylinder-Removal-Nazis.

What’s a “Cylinder Removal Nazi”?



For me it depends on the amount of shooting I do with each revolver. I lube the cylinder every time I clean my revolver. If it starts to feel sluggish soon after I may disassemble and clean it up.

 

[Y-T71]

What’s a “Cylinder Removal Nazi”?



For me it depends on the amount of shooting I do with each revolver. I lube the cylinder every time I clean my revolver. If it starts to feel sluggish soon after I may disassemble and clean it up.

I've heard of a "burn ring on the front of my cylinder nazi".

 

[Pat Riot]

Thank goodness most posters aren't Cylinder-Removal-Nazis.

I've heard of a "burn ring on the front of my cylinder nazi".

I think I understand. Are you all talking about those guys who get bent or offended by others doing whatever they will with guns they bought with their very own money with no help from anyone, especially the person complaining? Those guys?

By the way, I use these to disassemble cylinders by gripping the ejector rod with them.



It’s supposedly improper because I guess many gun owners can’t unscrew or screw straight. Also there’s righty-loosie, lefty-tightie…

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

There are different levels of removal. Just taking out the forward sideplate screw and removing the crane and cylinder will give you plenty of access for cleaning. I do this fairly frequently when cleaning residue off the front cylinder face. I admit it isn't strictly necessary, but it gives me a little better access to the nooks and crannies. I don't take the ejector rod off a S&W revolver unless I believe there is something wrong there that needs to be addressed. All I usually do is confirm it hasn't loosened.

I take Ruger DAs apart more routinely, though again I leave the ejector rod in place.

I really leave the ejector rod alone on Colt DA revolvers I've owned. I sold my Army Special some years ago, but I seem to recall the threaded end of the rod was factory staked to the ejector.

 

[sparkyv]

I take them apart all the time!




Just kidding. I don't recall why I took this one apart, but I rarely do this, certainly not for cleaning.

I only pull a cylinder out of the frame if there are issues. I have never had to remove one for cleaning and I have some pretty high round count revolvers from use in USPSA competition.

I'm another one who essentially never removes a DA cylinder without specific cause.

I only take them off the frame and give it a good flush with Gun Scrubber if its to the point it wont spin freely. I dont take them apart beyond that though, as theres no point. No do I do it very often.