Unusual Wear on a Revolver What Causes It?

[Frost]

Recently I have looked at 2 Smith and Wesson 629 revolvers that had un-natural wear.
One of them was worse than the other.
I have been trying to figure out what causes wear below the cylinder on outside edge of the frame.
Both of them looked to have been shot quite a bit.
I tried searching for an answer but came up empty.
If any of you know please share.
One of these revolvers is not too badly worn and I might be able to get it for cheap.
However if it's ruined then it's ruined and I won't consider it at any price.

The picture is not one of the revolvers in question it is just to show the wear point.

 

[Midnight Raver]

Maybe from snapping the cylinder open and closed, also from slamming out empties during ejection? Seems like speed firing/reloading revolvers could result in that, especially if not too careful and hurried while doing so.

Well, that's my hypothesis. :idea:

 

[Frost]

No this is wear I have seen only twice and both times on a 629.
The cylinder does not drag and spins freely although it has a pronounced turn line.

 

[Dave29461]

Have you noticed similar wear on a K or L frame .357? I just thought of that so I'll get some of my wheelgun enthusiasts friends to look at their K L & N frames. I sent the picture to my son and brother-in-law who are both wheelgun shooters to see if they have any experience with this problem.

 

[Frost]

Dave
Thanks
No in all my years around guns I have only seen it twice both times on a 629 and both times this year.

 

[Pops]

do you suppose it could have come from a rivet or snap of a holster?
perhaps it found a rub point when the gun was carried and if the holster was not quite tight enough it could have made a mark.

think in terms of the back side of the snap on the retainer strap.

just a guess.

:?

 

[fordnut]

I sent Frost a pic tonight. I found a Model 57 with the mark. It is for sale on the S&W Forum right now.

Owner said that it was where the cylinder hit the frime...but, he said it was no big dealand that the gun was not loose and timing and lock-up were fine...


Steve

 

[Frost]

The 629 I saw had more damage, I will try to get a real picture.
In the meantime here is the pic Steve sent me.

I could be wrong but I think the cylinder hitting the frame IS a big deal.
I have a number of revolvers and they don't hit.

 

[fordnut]

Frost; You have to remember...the guy that said it was no big deal was trying to sell the gun...

I believe I would have to have the gun checked out by a trusted gunsmith...

Steve

 

[Halfcocked]

If the cylinder was causing it I would be concerned, could mean bent or damaged yoke.

 

[Frost]

Steve
I understand what you are saying.
The people selling that 629 don't seem to think it is a big deal either.
The cylinder seems to spin free and does not seem to hit the frame when opening or closing.
I was thinking it might have had a problem and someone fixed it.
Or someone might have clamped it in a vise and twisted until it cleared.
I don't know enough about working on a revolver to know.

 

[george]

My guess is sprung yoke. Happens a lot on the big smiths, because a cylinder full of shells is a lot of weight.

If you know what you're doing, you can fix it with a lead hammer.

good luck.

 

[Dave29461]

The consensus from my contacts agree that a 'sprung' yoke from flipping a loaded cylinder out when opening is the probable cause. You can buy a straightener from Brownell approx. 125.00. Get both on the cheap and fix both then sell one

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=9846/Product/EXTRACTOR_ROD___YOKE_ALIGNMENT_TOOL

 

[Frost]

Dave

Great information, thanks.
I think I am going to pass on this revolver.
While I can save some money on it initially I think I would wind up spending more in the long run.

 

[Dave29461]

Always happy to help. I like my 686+, one of my favorite guns to shoot.