Source
r/guns•
Surefire

Can cylinder drag lines indicate potential issues with a revolver?

I just picked up my very first revolver, a brand new Ruger GP100 Match Champion, and was surprised to see some pretty defined lines on the cylinder. I was expecting them to form with some good use, but from factory testing?

http://i.imgur.com/KsxRe6F.jpg

Why exactly do these lines form?

Do they form faster/harder due to mistimings in the mechanisms during cycling?

Is this cause for concern?

Is there anything I can do to lessen this effect without potentially damaging the revolver?

I'm inclined to just embrace the lines as it won't be a safe queen, as long as it isn't the result of some minor issue that I should address sooner than later.

Also, any and all tips regarding shooting, cleaning, maintaining, and learning everything about revolvers is welcome! Although I've always been curious about revolvers, my tastes in guns have been slowly coming back to basics, and I'm very excited to get into my match champion. I've also ordered TSR200s and a usgi sling for my 10/22, so my next trip out is going to be incredible. I know I'll get a lot of "search bar" or "google" answers, and I have, but I'd love some extra discussion as well. Who knows what someone else might share.

Posted Nov 29, 2016, 9:29 PM UTC

319
cooltreasures•

Those happen with use from the cylinder lockup. Looks pretty normal to me and it's standard wear on every revolver I've ever seen.

11
TerminalEffectActual•

/Basically thread

3
Kromulent•

Here's a couple of revolver tips you might not have discovered yet.

  1. Be careful about debris (particularly unfired powder grains) getting under the ejector star. That can lock the gun right up.

  2. Always close the cylinder gently, never slam it shut, and never close it while still rotating.

  3. Revolvers are wonderful tools for correcting flinch. Load two live rounds, four empties, look away, spin the cylinder, stop it spinning and close it. Now fire all six as carefully as you can, watching for sight movement after the hammer falls. If you notice the sights dipping as you squeeze the trigger, you've found the first thing to fix. Normally the recoil hides this information from you.

  4. Another great advantage of revolvers is that they can accept a wide variety of grips. Make full use of this capability, and get the gun to fit your hand as best you can. Some folks find the factory grips will allow the trigger guard to slam into their middle finger when firing heavy loads. There's no need to put up with that.

  5. When shooting single action, use the thumb of your weak hand to cock the hammer, so you don't break your firing grip.

  6. With an empty gun, practice lowering a cocked hammer - you may need to do this over a live round some day. One good technique is to rock the hammer back with your thumb before pulling the trigger to release it, so you know you already have the full weight of the hammer under control.

  7. Master the double-action trigger. When you can shoot a double action trigger well, you can shoot every handgun well.

9
SurefireOP•

Awesome, thank you!

I only recently learned that spinning the cylinder and using your wrist to swing open/close the cylinder was damaging for the revolver.

Not really things that are common knowledge, especially because they are portrayed in movies and such.

I'm looking for similar little bits of knowledge like that!

2
Kromulent•

When ejecting empty brass, point the muzzle up. This causes the debris to fall clear.

In fact:

http://jeffersonian.therealgunguys.com/revrel.html

3
CaptainCiph3r•
  1. Be careful about debris (particularly unfired powder grains) getting under the ejector star. That can lock the gun right up.

While I suppose this is possible, over the course of thousands of rounds through a half dozen revolvers, this has never happened. More likely, the grime will cause your ejection to be a bit tough, requiring a good firm press to eject shells. It's almost impossible (if not totally) for grime to lock up S&W or Ruger revolvers in battery.

  1. Always close the cylinder gently, never slam it shut, and never close it while still rotating.

Not necessarily true, never slap it shut, but you can close it fast (using your hand to cushion it on the other side of the cylinder) without issue. DEFINITELY don't slap it shut while it's spinning.

  1. Another great advantage of revolvers is that they can accept a wide variety of grips. Make full use of this capability, and get the gun to fit your hand as best you can. Some folks find the factory grips will allow the trigger guard to slam into their middle finger when firing heavy loads. There's no need to put up with that.

This, I see too many people tossing out daddy's old revolver because they hurt to shoot, change the grips, and ENJOY it. Just NEVER get rid of the originals.

  1. When shooting single action, use the thumb of your weak hand to cock the hammer, so you don't break your firing grip.

Also, not necessarily true, learning to shoot one handed single action, can be fun too.

  1. With an empty gun, practice lowering a cocked hammer - you may need to do this over a live round some day. One good technique is to rock the hammer back with your thumb before pulling the trigger to release it, so you know you already have the full weight of the hammer under control.

This isn't that big of a deal, either, but should be practiced, ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.

  1. Master the double-action trigger. When you can shoot a double action trigger well, you can shoot every handgun well.

This is also not necessarily true. Many people find themselves adapting to one trigger pull, and being inaccurate with others. I have been shooting glocks for so long, that I'm more accurate with the Double action from my revolvers, I can't hit shit in single action.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.

2
NickBlasta•

The turn line is a sign your revolver is working properly. The cylinder stop is designed to ride the cylinder.

2
CaptainCiph3r•

That happens, just take a look at mine. http://imgur.com/a/ENpO1

It's been well over 2,000 rounds now.

2
SurefireOP•

Cute dogs!

Yeah, I knew there would be lines, but was worried they came from factory so defined. Turns out 99.99% of it came right off with the first cleaning...

Stupid me. I knew something looked off, and decided to go straight to reddit concerned about possible mechanical errors that accelerated wear when it was just dirty.

Now the lines are either just in my head or the tiniest, microscopic lines. Looks brand new, because it is!

1
CaptainCiph3r•

Yeah, Ruger fires their guns in the factory. It's nothing to worry about, in fact, it's gonna happen eventually anyway.

1
Jack_Shid•

This is completely normal.

1
Sgt_Tackleberry•

Mothers Mag polish can remove them if you get sick of them. My 40+ yr old 66-1 looks like n.i.b.

1
CaptainCiph3r•

The only thing that should touch a good revolver is oil and cleaner. Refinishing is stupid.

1
Sgt_Tackleberry•

Sorry, I like shiny stainless steel

2
CaptainCiph3r•

You just lost your S&W Privileges, hand them over boy.

1
Sgt_Tackleberry•

At least I don't polish my 625-8JM, bead-blasted stainless is the shit.

1