Problem with S&W 57

Sounds like a timing problem and possible hand problem.

Take it to a smith who knows revolvers.

I wouldn’t. The revolver isn’t right.

I would get it fixed. It may or may not be a safety issue but it is obviously a mechanical failure issue and should be addressed. It's your late uncles gun....Get it fixed!

Check and make sure all the screws are tight. Loose screws (common enough in magnums) can cause all kinds of problems. Also, has the gun ever been disassembled and thoroughly cleaned? A good gunsmith can be your best friend.

First, stop cocking it "sharply". Vintage S&W N frames can skip chambers or rotate backwards but normally only when firing very heavy handloads. A knowledgeable S&W smith needs to see the gun.

I agree with Drail. Hollywood gun handling has ruined a lot of revolvers. The N frame Smiths are more prone to cylinder throw by than the smaller frames due to the greater mass of the cylinder and its larger diameter. Inertia is much greater. Are the cylinder stop notches peened/burred?

A good deep cleaning may help as congealed oil and firing residue may be gumming the cylinder stop, keeping it from snapping up quickly enough. As noted, see a qualified S&W specific smith. Those who do not know how, including owners, amateurs, and so called smiths have ruined many guns. If you need recommendations post up the general area you line in and perhaps one of the members her will know of a qualified smith nearby.

Choose VERY carefully. There's a LOT of hacks out there.

My brother's 57 is the same way... and we only have ourselves to blame. Back in the Old Days, we started handloading and really hotrodded it. It took it... but not without cost... his pistol does the same thing yours does, it definitely needs some attention. He still shoots his, but with medium range loads, and by carefully making sure the cylinder is locked before shooting each round.

Most likely cause is the cylinder stop spring needs to be replaced second possibility is a build up of goo around the cylinder stop third is both of the previous two. Solution is to remove the side plate clean and lube the interior and replace the spring.

S&W's solution was to make the cylinder stop notches deeper and wider and use a heavier stop. I don't know if they used a heavier spring but it would defintiely help. The stop must spring up extrewmely fast to catch the notch. Check the stop's spring and clean and relube everything while you're inside.

NoName47 said:

My magnum loads are hot with 22.3gr of h110 under a 210gr. The boxs that i got with the gun has 24.6gr h4227 under a 170gr.

Click to expand...

Well... that will do it. Those H110 loads are almost at book maximum. IMHO, and in my experience, the older Smiths can't take a steady diet of full-house Magnum loads.

If it were my pistol, I would send it back to S&W and let them tune it up.