Things not to do with revolver?

[el Godfather]

Dear THR:

I want to know what are the things not to do with a revolver to avoid:

Jam
Firing pin issues
Timming issues
Locking issues

Thanks.

 

[Kleanbore]

Do not snap the crane shut.

Use quality ammunition made for the gun.

If it's a Colt SAA or clone, do not fan it.

Keep it away from lint.

Do not let the barrel get plugged.

 

[Master Blaster]

Tip the barrel up not down when you eject empties, that way burnt powder and debris will not get under the star causing issues.

Make sure the ejector rod is tight and not coming unscrewed.

Make sure reloads have a good roll crimp so bullet pull on recoil isn't a problem.

Check any commercial ammo you use for bullet pull issues especially in a lightweight revolver. Bullets backing out of the case from recoil can tie up the gun. A few years ago I had this problem with corbon 38+p in my S&W 642.

 

[bikerdoc]

Dont shoot stout rounds thr gun cant handle.

 

[Warp]

Already mentioned but don't do the Hollywood thing of spinning the cylinder and then swinging it shot, especially for the larger/heavier cylinders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GspksqvtO3k

 

[mnrivrat]

Here are a few:

1.)Keep it clean
2.) Always control the opening and closing of the cylinder
3.) Check all screws and the ejection rod for tightness on ea. field trip.
4.) Save the heavy loads for usage against the animal you want to shoot
5.) Do not exceed SAMMI specs on loaded rounds (.)
6.) Remove grip panels for cleaning and if they are wood then treat them like fine furniture.
6. Always keep a surface protection agent on the gun. Gun oil, wax.etc.
7. Do not dry fire. (yes I know all about the opinions on this issue - if you insist on dry firing use snap caps (good ones that aren't worn out)
8.) Save the rappid fire for when it is called for.

PS: Anything opposite of the about will cause premature wear and shorten the life of the gun.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

EG,

In another thread you said you have been shooting a King Cobra and Python for 25 years. Surely you have figured out the ins and outs by now.

 

[MrBorland]

Couple o' things in no particular order I didn't see mentioned yet:

1. Do not "tune" your S&W revolver using the strain screw (either by backing it out or by shortening it). Keep it tightened fully. A dab of blue Loktite is extra insurance.

2. Especially when using push-release type speedloaders, use a strong-hand reload as your default. Doing so supports the cylinder during the reload and keeps the yoke screw (the Achilles heel of the S&W revolver) from overloading.

3. Do not ride the trigger back during re-set. It's a bad habit many (most?) revolver shooters have, but letting the trigger push your finger forward risks a short-stroke. It becomes an even bigger issue if the action's been lightened.

4. If you reload, be sure your primers are fully seated. High primers can easily jam the action.

5. If you have recessed chambers, clean the gunk out of the recesses as part of your cleaning routine. Gunk left in the recesses can prevent full seating of the rounds.

6. Removing the sideplate isn't necessary for regular cleaning. Nor is disassembling the cylinder assembly.

7. If you do remove the sideplate...there's a right and a very wrong way to do it. Do your research beforehand...and use the correct screwdriver.

8. If you do remove the sideplate...loosen the strain screw first. And do NOT cycle the action with the sideplate off and the mainspring tensioned.

9. If you use rubber grips that use a side-screw, do not excessively tighten the screw, lest the mainspring get pinched, robbing the hammer of some oompf.

10. When changing the front sight on S&W revolvers with a pinned front sight, do NOT use a 1/16" punch. The pin is slightly smaller than 1/16", so you'll have a heck of a time doing so, and the results of your oversized punch will be left on the rib.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Don't go from "Special" to magnum...

...without extensive cleaning of the chambers.

 

[CajunBass]

Never trade one for a Glock.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Keep the forcing cone really clean! Especially if you've a K-mag.

 

[chuckpro]

MrBorland

Very good points but i have questions.

Can you explain number 2 i grew up shooting the FBI reload (learned in the early 90's) but have recently converter to the week hand reload. It is faster and more reliable for me. I just don't see the difference that it puts on the strain of the yoke screw. Maybe i have something mixed up in my head but i just cant see it.

I don't feel like i ride the trigger but i know i do. If i put to light of a return spring in i can feel it. With that said i have probably over 20,000 rounds threw revolvers( mostly my model 19's) and have never short stroked the trigger. Most of my shooting is rapped fire DA. Maybe i am lucky.

 

[splattergun]

Don't use it as a hammer

 

[el Godfather]

ColtPythonElite

EG,

In another thread you said you have been shooting a King Cobra and Python for 25 years. Surely you have figured out the ins and outs by now.

Yes.

Thanks everyone for great advice.

 

[WestKentucky]

Don't pull the hammer back 1/3 and spin the cylinder wearing out the timing hand.

 

[Bobson]

Do not snap the crane shut.

What is this? Never heard of the "crane" part of a gun - revolver or otherwise. Only thing I can think of is where guys (again, in movies - I apologize lol) sort of jerk the revolver to the side to snap the cylinder closed following a reload. Is that what this is referring to?

If it's a Colt SAA or clone, do not fan it.

Is "fanning it" when you hold the trigger and slap the hammer repeatedly while gunning from the hip, like in the movies?

Is it okay to do with other SA revolvers (like the Vaquero, for instance)?

 

[JIMMYK]

Don't over lube it, and make sure no one is standing beside someone shooting a revolver, especially if you shoot cast bullets. I have seen more than a few people wince in pain, after getting hit by a piece of bullet coming from the cylinder gap. Yours truly, learned early about the dangers of this, and yes it was painful. I was glad I had my shooting glasses on too.

 

[CajunBass]

After my rather flippant answer earlier, I'll try to offer something constructive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kleanbore
Do not snap the crane shut.

What is this? Never heard of the "crane" part of a gun - revolver or otherwise. Only thing I can think of is where guys (again, in movies - I apologize lol) sort of jerk the revolver to the side to snap the cylinder closed following a reload. Is that what this is referring to?

Yes, the crane, some manufacturers call it a "yoke" is the part the cylinder swings in and out on. Snapping it shut, sometimes called "Bogarting" can/will put a lot of strain on the part and cause it to go out of alignment.

Originally Posted by Kleanbore
If it's a Colt SAA or clone, do not fan it.

Is "fanning it" when you hold the trigger and slap the hammer repeatedly while gunning from the hip, like in the movies?

Again you're correct, and again it puts unnecessary strain on the guns parts.

I always thought "fanning" was an invention of the movies and TV, but in his book "Sixguns" Elmer Keith devotes almost an entire chapter to it, so it must have actually been used at some point in time. And yes, it wore the guns out back then too. Those who did it a lot apparently extensivly modified their guns to make it more practical. Interesting reading, but not something I'd recommend today.

 

[Bobson]

Thanks for the answers, CajunBass. I've never owned or even shot a revolver. I'd like to someday though.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Another thing not to do with a revolver (especially a .357 that's been firing .38's) is to neglect cleaning the chambers in the cyclinder, as well as the front of the cyclinder.

 

[mnrivrat]

OK - After my non flippant answers are done I just have a few I learned on Saturday mornings when I was young

1.) Don't use your revolver for driving nails when hanging wanted posters.
2.) Don't use you revolver for hitting folk over the head
3.) Don't just aim and fire - a snap of the wrist during shooting makes the bullet go faster.
4.) Don't reload your revolver until all 30 cartridges are expended.
5.) Good guy revolvers always come in pairs

And don't EVER kill anybody - just wing'em in the arm .

 

[WestKentucky]

OK - After my non flippant answers are done I just have a few I learned on Saturday mornings when I was young

1.) Don't use your revolver for driving nails when hanging wanted posters.
2.) Don't use you revolver for hitting folk over the head
3.) Don't just aim and fire - a snap of the wrist during shooting makes the bullet go faster.
4.) Don't reload your revolver until all 30 cartridges are expended.
5.) Good guy revolvers always come in pairs

And don't EVER kill anybody - just wing'em in the arm .

You've been watching too many crappy westerns, and possibly too much of the A-team.

 

[Coyote3855]

Is it okay to do with other SA revolvers (like the Vaquero, for instance)?

Ah, no. I consider it revolver abuse. And there is no reason to do it unless you are a B movie cowboy. Sorry, Elmer. I know it is heresy, but some of the stuff he wrote is BS.

 

[C0untZer0]

How bad is it for the revolver when you have to take a dowel and tap out the spent cases?

I only used steel cased ammo in my S&W 929 and my Charter Arms PITBULL once (and never again). But I was wondering how bad it is for the crane to have to do that.

 

[X-Rap]

Surprised no one has warned against placing your hand alongside the cylinder gap while firing. Doesn't hurt the gun but the exposed body part will suffer.