BS story or does it have creedance?

[RRio]

 

Looking at an article in an Old West magazine when I found an article about one of the latest and "greatest" old West revolvers. With my my 42 + years as a "sixgun specialist" It just did not ring true to me. Some of you gunsmith types read this and tell us all what you think:

"I found the 5.5 model shipped to me pretty much looks and feels like a Colt factory gun, but with  a few subtle alterations to improve operation. First is the diameter of the cylinder and recoil shield, which are incrementally larger. "Manwithnoname" explained the reason for that.
"It is larger because when you look at the locking bolt on original Colts, you find the wall thickness between the on the locking bolt on the cylinder and the chamber only leaves a very thin amount of material," he eventually said." This can eventually lead to the drag lines you find on Colt cylinders."


I am personally calling BS on this, because I don't feel Colt has ever had a problem with that. I credit that problem to poor timing and operator error.  What's the call, gunsmiths?

[Professor Marvel]

 My Dear Rio

Whilst I am not a gunsmith, I am full of opinions....

I do agree with you, that the bit about the dragline is pure BS, as you say it is always due to ignorance and mishandling!

The larger diameter cylinder is almost certainly in order to add strength.

Lord, save me from these fools....

[Coffinmaker]

  Gimmie-a-Break   

I have taken my "Shingle" down and am enjoying a nice retirement, however IDIOTS who put this kind of KRAP into print for unsuspecting newbs to read just chaps my patootie.  Other Gunsmiths of my Opine would also be tearing out their hair

The drag line on an SA cylinder is strictly the result of a stupid operator or being miss-timed.  Unless it's a Ruger.  The Ruger Drag Line is intentions from day one.   

[Kent Shootwell]

Not being a sixgun or Colt specialist but having a fair amount of time fixing guns of most types I think you have spotted another magazine half truth. The cylinder is bigger, the rest is the writer wanting to sound like he has the inside story.

[RRio]

Not being a sixgun or Colt specialist but having a fair amount of time fixing guns of most types I think you have spotted another magazine half truth. The cylinder is bigger, the rest is the writer wanting to sound like he has the inside story.

The magazine is one, we all know and "love" ? And the writer is also "beloved" here. I should write for that magazine because I have forgotten more than he'll ever know. No brag, just fact.                      

[Cheyenne Logan]

  Yup, that's BS........when the action wears, the bolt may drop off the cam too early and drag on the cylinder.....that's why it's called a drag line!


Now, I should make a priviso, when you sell an article, the editor can do just about anything they want to prior to publishing, including changing the content......since I don't know the article in question, or the writer, I stick with the info, as presented, as being wrong.......but the editor also could have changed the content after buying the article.

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy sixgunners,

I'm no gunsmith, but I believe that you all have the right opinion that cylinder diameter has nothing to do with the creation or prevention of a "drag line". I will, however, posit the primary reason for the increased cylinder diameter. If the cylinder diameter is a bit small for larger cartridge chambers, the thickness of the metal under the bolt notch can become too thin for full factory loads. The larger diameter allows for full depth bolt notches with sufficient metal to safely handle the pressure.

Now if the diameter of the cylinder is not increased sufficiently the only way to assure that there is enough "meat" under the notch is to cut the notch shallower. This might lead some to say that would cause the bolt to not enter the shallow notch reliably. Hence slipping passed the notch and allowing the cylinder to over rotate with the bolt fully up thus creating a "drag line". I suppose that someone might say that was the reason for the increased diameter, but that is hardly likely.

Them's my thoughts,
Rev. Chase

[Coffinmaker]

  Oh NO Mr. Bill 

I forgot to mention one other reason for a "Drag Line."  All the competitors have to "line up" behind the starting line before they do their "Burn Out" at the Drag Strip. 

Did I mention previously, the scribe described doesn't have a clue??  A prime example of a moron released into the public domain.  Remember to Floss

PS: Does the Moron ever mention the Make, Model, Number of Cubic Centimeters and whether it's a Straight 6, a Vee Six, or a Vee 8??