4 Newbie revolver owner questions

U

ump45

New member
1. Is it ok to dry fire my Smith & Wesson 686+? Or should I get snap caps for it?

2. What sort of cleaning is required after shooting my 686? Can I use the BreakFree CLP that I already use on my SIG?

3. Is there anything I need to do to the gun before taking it to the range and pulling the trigger?

4. Any other first-time revolver advice?
 
1. Is it ok to dry fire my Smith & Wesson 686+? Or should I get snap caps for it?
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A smith from the S&W factory said that if you are going to do a lot of dry-fire, you should use snap-caps.

2. What sort of cleaning is required after shooting my 686? Can I use the BreakFree CLP that I already use on my SIG?
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I use breakfree. You may need something more to get the burn off the front of the cylinder, etc.

3. Is there anything I need to do to the gun before taking it to the range and pulling the trigger?
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I'd run a patch down the bore a couple of times to get rid of any excess oil left there by the factory.

4. Any other first-time revolver advice?
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Never operate the extractor with the muzzle down and brass in the chambers.
 
Never operate the extractor with the muzzle down and brass in the chambers.
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Don't quite get that one. Can you try to explain again please? Thanks.

Are there any good guides online that show how to strip down a 686 for cleaning?
 
If you have cartridges or empty brass in the gun, swing out the cylinder with the muzzle down towards the ground and then push the ejector rod back, you will often have one of the cartridges rock off the star and drop back down into the chamber under the star. It's annoying at best to have to winkle it out of there. In a high-stress situation, the gun is useless because you cannot close the cylinder. (If this is a moon-clip gun then it's not much of a problem.)

About all you might want to do (and not every time by any means) is 1) take the grips off and 2) remove the crane/cylinder from the frame (which involves removing one screw).
 
So I should swing out the cylinder, with the muzzle pointed slightly up, in the direction of the target down range, and push the ejector rod? And this will avoid the potential problem of having the cartridges get stuck between the star and the cylinder?

Did I get that right?:D
 
You got it right, ump. Assuming you're right-handed, Operate the cylinder latch with the right thumb, with the trigger guard in your left palm, swing out the cylinder with the fingers of the left hand, operate the ejector rod smartly with the left thumb (muzzle up). The empties tumble out, the gun is firmly controlled, including the cylinder, by the left hand, and the right hand is free to introduce more ammo into the chambers. If you're left handed, I have no idea. It's actually much simpler than it sounds. Just don't employ the much-less-effective method of holding the revo in the right hand by the grip, trying to load the chambers with the left hand.
 
Assuming you're right-handed, Operate the cylinder latch with the right thumb, with the trigger guard in your left palm, swing out the cylinder with the fingers of the left hand, operate the ejector rod smartly with the left thumb (muzzle up).
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Hutch is right, but more precisely, hold the gun so that your left index finger is pointed up along the right side of the frame forward of the cylinder with the little finger the same way but behind the cylinder. Push the cylinder through with the two middle fingers and control the other side of the cylinder with the thumb. Once it is fully open you can reach up with the thumb to hit the ejector while reaching for your speedloader (which should be carried on the same side of the body as the gun). That's the fast way. If you have a snubby which has a short-throw ejector rod, you may need to hit the ejector with the heel of your right hand to get the brass to come out, then reach for the speedloader. When you release the rounds from the speedloader just let go of it (don't take time to toss it, just release your hold as you close the cylinder).

If you're left handed, I have no idea. It's actually much simpler than it sounds.
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Operate the release with your trigger finger and push cylinder through with right thumb, supporting cylinder with middle two fingers of right hand with triggerguard in palm. Operate ejector with right index finger.

Just don't employ the much-less-effective method of holding the revo in the right hand by the grip, trying to load the chambers with the left hand.
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Absolutely!
 
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