Revolver Cylinder Almost Fell Off

[Guest Rupertus]

Took my S&W .44 Mag revolver out for some shooting. After shooting about 50 rounds, I noticed the cylinder was not closing properly. I found the part that holds the cylinder to the frame was loose and you could pull forward on it and the entire cylinder would come off. I then found that there was a screw loose on the side of the frame that apparently holds this all together. I'm not much on taking revolvers apart for routine maintenance so this seemed like an odd thing to occur. Should I worry, take it to a smith, or just tighten the screw (maybe with loctite?)?

[VERO1]

Just tighten the screw. If you are really worried put a drop of the non permanent (don't know what color) locktite on the screw. Don't panic, easy fix, all is well!

Edited December 30, 2010 by VERO1
more better english

[Guest Rupertus]

Thanks, that's what I was hoping. Maybe 50 rounds of 240 grain .44 magnums from a 2" inch barrel shook it loose...it almost shook my hand loose from my arm!

[leroy]

Just tighten the screw. If you are really worried put a drop of the non permanent (don't know what color) locktite on the screw. Don't panic, easy fix, all is well!

Plus 1 to what VERO1 said here. It's a pretty common occurence with the hard kickers. I would tighten up everything like it's supposed to be and put some locktite (...blue; don't use RED!!!...) on the offending screw. Be careful not to tighten the screw too tight. It will bind the cylinder crane. Adjust the screw so the cylinder swings freely without any binding (...probably will occur when the screw is just flush with the revolver frame...). Make sure you use a screwdriver that fits; you dont want to scar your tools up!!

Hope this helps

leroy

[gregintenn]

+1 in tighten it back up and resume shooting. If vibrations cause a Harley Davidson motorcycle to work loose, just imagine what they do to a 44 Mag. I shot my Super Blackhawk some this evening, and I belive it jarred something loose in me!!!

[leroy]

....I shot my Super Blackhawk some this evening, and I belive it jarred something loose in me!!! ...

What a truth brother!! The first thing i always did to the Super Blackhawks was to go and buy a set of Pachmayr grips that filled the space behind the "dragoon" backstrap.

The original grips always smacked my knuckles with the real loads. I've since quit shooting the heavy loads in 'em (...slowly turning to a wuss...). About 800 to 900 fps is all i care to shoot now; what a shame!! Try about 7 grains of 231 or 8.5 grains of unique with the usual 240 to 250 hardcast semi wadcutters for the "wuss" loads. It's easy on you and the gun too.

Keep up the good work!

leroy

[Warbird]

So it took you this long to figure out you have a screw loose. Everyone on this board already knew that.

[Tempest455]

Ditto on Blue on not Red. You will never get it out (if needed) with Red.