Webley

[GI Joe]

I am intrigued by these guns mainly in 455 Webley. I noticed on handling one that the cylinder rotates freely even when it is closed. The shop owner said that is normal for them as they only lock up when the gun is cocked. Is that true? If so, what happens if after firing a shot, you may bump the cylinder and have say 3 rounds fired and 3 unfired. If you bump it, you may get a click instead of a bang when pulling the trigger. It's not a big deal at the range, but if you are fighting for your life, that could be a problem.

 

[P95Carry]

Cylinder should NOT rotate freely when gun closed - mine sure as heck does not!! One thing folks will find is that cylinder feels''sloppy'' but not rotatable.

Once cocked tho, the cylinder will firm up a lot and if on empty gun trigger cocked and released undercontrol - trigger still kept back - they lock up OK - not tho perhaps as a Smith might!

My perception here is the shop owner is BS'ing you - just maybe the only Webley he has seen did that!!!

 

[jondar]

+1. My MKVI when hammer down, trigger forward has not quite 1/8" play either way. Hammer cocked, trigger forward same. Hammer down, trigger hard back about 1/16" play. Mine made in 1918.

 

[jacobtowne]

That's why they are called Wobbleys.
JT

 

[unspellable]

The cylinder of properly fitted Webley Mk VI in good condition should have a "spot welded in place" feel with the trigger back and the hammer down. It's about the tightest lock up of any revolver you can name. At rest there will be noticable rotational play in the cylinder, but it should be locked.

The Webley has two cylinder bolts as opposed to most revolvers having only one. Only one engages when at rest, so if the cylinder can be rotated that bolt is missing or not working.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

this has been raised before

The cylinder should NOT rotate freely with the hammer down.