Cylinder drag line on a brand new revolver?

[Lee Enfield]

I have an old SAA revolver with a cylinder drag line that bothers me... has anyone ever successfully done anything to mask a drag line that wasn't tacky? Like engraving a pattern?

adding engraving will just mean that the locking bolt wears prematurely, creating a wider drag line and then you'll have to replace the locking bolt early. If you look at an engraved SAA, usually the locking bolt track is left clear of, or has minimal engraving.

Having said that, a dragging locking bolt on an SAA is a symptom of poor timing. The locking bolt should drop in the locking recess lead in.

Timing is controlled by a combination of the trigger length, hammer cam and bevel on the tail of the locking bolt.

also when loading a Colt (load 1, skip 1, load 4, bring the revolver to full #### and lower the hammer) always bring the revolver to full #### before lowering the hammer, if you load the revolver, and then simply lower the hammer, the locking bolt will snap up and drag on the cylinder.

 

[Trinimon]

The drag line wouldn't bother me but the ding, that's no bueno.

FYI, once fired it will be more difficult to negotiate an exchange/refund/compensation.

Ditto this for me. I could live with a drag line but a ding on the cylinder on a new PC shooter... nope.

 

[9.3 Hunter]

I've seen light drag lines on several new S&W revolvers so that doesn't surprise me. The ding on the cylinder on the other hand, nope. If there are dings to be put on the pistol, I want it to be of my own doing, esp the price paid for a Performance Center model.

This.......light drag lines occur right away when cycling the cylinder and dry firing and/or shooting. Shot at the factory, I have never not seen drag lines on new revolvers especially stainless, they really show up. Harder to see on new blued cylinders...... You have another mark there though, it was handled

 

[tjhaile]

Every S&W revolver I have seen has a drag line to some extent. If the ding bothers you, I would contact the vendor and see if they can either offer a discount or exchange the gun. I could live with the blemish if it was priced accordingly.

 

[josh1976]

Drag line normal.

 

[Canada tail]

That dent is bad.

 

[ryan]

Without magnification like in the pic, I bet most would not even notice that ding. Shoot the thing already.

 

[Milspectacles]

I haven't tried it myself but I have seen some people that put a piece of electrical tape around the cylinder when firing and take it off when cleaning or handling, no dragline present but I feel like it could potentially jam stuff up if it isn't thin enough

 

[4n2t0]

I haven't tried it myself but I have seen some people that put a piece of electrical tape around the cylinder when firing and take it off when cleaning or handling, no dragline present but I feel like it could potentially jam stuff up if it isn't thin enough

People actually do that? lol.

 

[dogzilla]

I've seen people at the counter at gun stores with 4 or 5 identical guns manhandling all of them to pick out the one they want. Working the action, dry firing them. Then they get wrapped up again and put back on the shelves for the next guy. Longtime pet peeve of mine.

 

[Backwoods]

Post a full size picture of the "ding". The picture you posted might make it look worse than it is.

That said, I'd still ask the shop for some swag or moonclips or something for the ding. The drag line is totally normal.

 

[Suther]

I've seen people at the counter at gun stores with 4 or 5 identical guns manhandling all of them to pick out the one they want. Working the action, dry firing them. Then they get wrapped up again and put back on the shelves for the next guy. Longtime pet peeve of mine.

But wait. Isn't that exactly what everyone tells you to do with a bunch of specific guns? Marlin lever guns since the Rem take over and recent smith revolvers with crooked barrels both come to mind as examples...

 

[4n2t0]

I've seen people at the counter at gun stores with 4 or 5 identical guns manhandling all of them to pick out the one they want. Working the action, dry firing them. Then they get wrapped up again and put back on the shelves for the next guy. Longtime pet peeve of mine.

Just so I get this right; you'd go in-person to buy a revolver and do none of the above?

 

[dogzilla]

But I wouldn't be complaining about the drag line caused by the guy in front of me. And I'd be willing to bet that's how the ding got there.

 

[Loosethoughts]

Just wanted to clarify that the blemish I mentioned is not a "ding" as there is no structure damage (it's still smooth not marred or gouged) but the finish has slightly flaked off.

This was my first experience buying a new revolver and the semi auto pistols I've purchased have always come in prestine condition. I thank you all for your input.

 

[GaryF]

I saw a used PC 357 mag for sale at one of the local shops. Looked like it had been heavily used....listed as "good working" condition. Looked like the finish was etched by powder burns around the end of the cylinder where it meets forcing cone. Makes me question the durability of the finish. Nice looking revolvers, though.