recessed cylinder on model 66
- Thread starter jc77
- Start date
Technosavant
New member
It means the cylinder is cut so the entire rim of the case is surrounded by the metal of the cylinder.
With a non-recessed cylinder, when the gun is loaded and cylinder closed, you can see the rims of the cases from the side of the gun. With a recessed cylinder, you cannot.
This is because early .357mag guns were thought to need this extra bit of support around the base of the case. Turned out, it's not needed, so eventually S&W went away from recessed cylinders. The guns that have that feature tend to be in more demand by collectors, and thus have a higher value.
Most often it's connected to a pinned barrel (where instead of being crush-fit to the frame, the barrel was threaded into the frame and pinned into place), and the guns are referred to as "pinned and recessed." Collectors like those. Production of such revolvers ended in 1982.
With a non-recessed cylinder, when the gun is loaded and cylinder closed, you can see the rims of the cases from the side of the gun. With a recessed cylinder, you cannot.
This is because early .357mag guns were thought to need this extra bit of support around the base of the case. Turned out, it's not needed, so eventually S&W went away from recessed cylinders. The guns that have that feature tend to be in more demand by collectors, and thus have a higher value.
Most often it's connected to a pinned barrel (where instead of being crush-fit to the frame, the barrel was threaded into the frame and pinned into place), and the guns are referred to as "pinned and recessed." Collectors like those. Production of such revolvers ended in 1982.
Technosavant
New member
No problem, jc77... we all learn somehow. Always happy to help somebody jump into the deep abyss that is love of the wheelgun. 
You may not be thanking us when you see your safe filling up and your bank account running empty...
You may not be thanking us when you see your safe filling up and your bank account running empty...
Mete- I don't think so. The recessed chambers were introduced with the 1935 Registered Magnum and the new 357 Magnum cartridge. No balloon head cases with this one. They recessed the chambers to tout how strong this made the revolvers to withstand the brutal recoil of the awesome 357 cartridge. (Yeah, I know.)
Seven High
New member
JC77: Something that I learned on the S&W forum is that recessed cylinders and non recessed cylinders are not interchangeable unless the frame lug is changed out also. FYI
Lost Sheep
New member
Next question
What's a "frame lug"? I looked it up but still don't know what it does.
Lost Sheep
What's a "frame lug"? I looked it up but still don't know what it does.
Lost Sheep
More accurate would be to say that pinned & recessed guns began being phased out in 1982. Basically while the order was given to stop making these features then, P&R guns, continued to be made until the supply of the older parts ran out. And this happened at different times, for different models.
If you look at enough S&Ws made during those years, you will see P&R guns made after the "official" end of those features, and you will see guns with pinned barrels, and regular chambers, as well as guns with recessed chambers and crush fit (non-pinned) barrels.
Pinned barrels were the standard method S&W used for everything, for generations. Recessed chambers were kept in magnum chamberings long after it was well known the were not needed (unlike .22RF where they do have a function). S&W kept making them, it was part of their prestige, and one of the little touches that set S&W apart (and above) others. A lot of S&W owners looked on them with pride, one of the extra touches that showed the quality and care that went into a S&W magnum.
In the early 80s, with S&W being owned by foreign investors, the dollar became the dominant bottom line, and the extra features that added to production costs were dropped, starting a decline in perceived quality that has continued to this day.
Real, or not, a lot of people think the guns made in the old way are better guns, and some pay a premium for them.
Seven High
New member
44AMP: You mentioned crush fit barrels. What is this procedure ? Are the barrels still screwed into the frames?
Seven,
Yes, "crush fit" is the method used by about everyone these days, and was the method always used by most gun makers.
The barrel is screwed into the frame. Tolerances are such that when correctly tightened a shoulder on the barrel is a "crush fit" against the frame. This tight "crush" fit is what keeps the barrel from unscrewing.
Done right, it works fine. Realistically speaking, S&W pinning the barrels was just extra insurance.
Yes, "crush fit" is the method used by about everyone these days, and was the method always used by most gun makers.
The barrel is screwed into the frame. Tolerances are such that when correctly tightened a shoulder on the barrel is a "crush fit" against the frame. This tight "crush" fit is what keeps the barrel from unscrewing.
Done right, it works fine. Realistically speaking, S&W pinning the barrels was just extra insurance.