how to time a smith and wesson revolver

Jim NNN · 07-19-2011, 11:53 AM

Hi,

My j frame .38 (model 36) is in excellent shape, and , to me, looks like it hasn't been used that much. It dates from the late 1960's.

The timing in single action looks good, locking up before it is fully cocked. The timing in double action has a noticeably more narrow timing margin than my k frame revolvers, however, locking up just a hair before the hammer falls on most chambers.

On ONE chamber, the cylinder seems to lock simultaneously with the hammer falling. I presume this is less than ideal. Would you recommend I send it back to S&W? Do j frames typically have a closer margin for timing? (This is the only one I own.)

I shoot most of my older S&W's single action, but I like them to work properly in all respects. I DO have very good cylinder lock up, however, and I don't want any work I have done to change that.

I should mention, I am NOT a pistol smith, but sometimes I come here for your expert advice. Thanks - Jim

JohnnyT · 07-19-2011, 04:16 PM

Not at all uncommon. In DA mode, the hammer doesn't move as far before it breaks as when cocked in SA mode. As long as the slow timing only occurs when the gun is cycled very slowly...slower than it would be in normal use...it's not a problem because the cylinder's momentum will carry it up and let the stop bolt engage the notch well before the hammer breaks.

With a little practice, you can work the trigger at normal speed and stop just before the hammer breaks...and watch the cylinder lock in battery.

Wild Bill Caldwell · 07-20-2011, 04:56 AM

Seldom has all the chambers of any revo lined up perfect...look at some of the Smiths from early on untill Semis took over Bullseye shootin , most will have a chamber marked by the shooter that doesn't line up perfect...I tend to beleive it would be luck that would find a new revo timed to perfection , Smiths are assembly line assembled from parts brought to the assembler , so many per day to assemble , if the revo doesn't spit lead it will out shoot most shooters....I've got a old RAGGED out Chief Special that I can hit 5 gallon buckets at 100yds shootin 5 bucks per shot , got a good tight 60 ,less than 200 rds thru it , don't shoot any better than the old one

Wild Bill

JohnnyT · 07-20-2011, 06:52 AM

The thing about Smith & Wessons is that...if a chamber isn't perfectly aligned with the bore...when the bullet enters the taper of the forcing cone with the base still in the chamber throat, it will bring it into alignment. I hear people make negative remarks because of a little rotational play in the cylinders, and have been met with hostility when I try to explain that there's a reason for it.

It's not meant to be a final lockup mechanism if the gun is out of time, but it does line things up pretty well.

Jim NNN · 07-27-2011, 09:16 AM

Thanks for the reassurance, guys. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner...I was out of town. Yeah, I didn't tnink that a great Smith and Wesson with such little use would be having problems, I just wanted to make sure. Thanks for your input.

07-19-2011, 11:53 AM	#1
Jim NNN Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 7	Timing on model 36 Hi, My j frame .38 (model 36) is in excellent shape, and , to me, looks like it hasn't been used that much. It dates from the late 1960's. The timing in single action looks good, locking up before it is fully cocked. The timing in double action has a noticeably more narrow timing margin than my k frame revolvers, however, locking up just a hair before the hammer falls on most chambers. On ONE chamber, the cylinder seems to lock simultaneously with the hammer falling. I presume this is less than ideal. Would you recommend I send it back to S&W? Do j frames typically have a closer margin for timing? (This is the only one I own.) I shoot most of my older S&W's single action, but I like them to work properly in all respects. I DO have very good cylinder lock up, however, and I don't want any work I have done to change that. I should mention, I am NOT a pistol smith, but sometimes I come here for your expert advice. Thanks - Jim

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07-19-2011, 04:16 PM	#2
JohnnyT Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 724	Not at all uncommon. In DA mode, the hammer doesn't move as far before it breaks as when cocked in SA mode. As long as the slow timing only occurs when the gun is cycled very slowly...slower than it would be in normal use...it's not a problem because the cylinder's momentum will carry it up and let the stop bolt engage the notch well before the hammer breaks. With a little practice, you can work the trigger at normal speed and stop just before the hammer breaks...and watch the cylinder lock in battery.

07-20-2011, 04:56 AM	#3
Wild Bill Caldwell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 526	Seldom has all the chambers of any revo lined up perfect...look at some of the Smiths from early on untill Semis took over Bullseye shootin , most will have a chamber marked by the shooter that doesn't line up perfect...I tend to beleive it would be luck that would find a new revo timed to perfection , Smiths are assembly line assembled from parts brought to the assembler , so many per day to assemble , if the revo doesn't spit lead it will out shoot most shooters....I've got a old RAGGED out Chief Special that I can hit 5 gallon buckets at 100yds shootin 5 bucks per shot , got a good tight 60 ,less than 200 rds thru it , don't shoot any better than the old one Wild Bill

07-20-2011, 06:52 AM	#4
JohnnyT Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 724	The thing about Smith & Wessons is that...if a chamber isn't perfectly aligned with the bore...when the bullet enters the taper of the forcing cone with the base still in the chamber throat, it will bring it into alignment. I hear people make negative remarks because of a little rotational play in the cylinders, and have been met with hostility when I try to explain that there's a reason for it. It's not meant to be a final lockup mechanism if the gun is out of time, but it does line things up pretty well.

07-27-2011, 09:16 AM	#5
Jim NNN Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 7	Thanks for the reassurance, guys. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner...I was out of town. Yeah, I didn't tnink that a great Smith and Wesson with such little use would be having problems, I just wanted to make sure. Thanks for your input.