S&W perfected model double action question...

Magnum Wheel Man · March 19, 2010, 06:26 AM

what is this ??? sorry about such a basic question, but it "looks" like the latch to swing out the cylinder, but this is a top break revolver, not a hand ejector... a safety ??? a hammer block ??? extra top break latch ??? thanks

Mike Faires · March 19, 2010, 07:33 AM

That is why they call it the "Perfected" much like in todays world an answer to a perceived problem. You must activate the cylinder release along with the top strap release to open the action. Also this is the first SW with the trigger guard intregal to the frame rather than a seperate part.

Popular legend has it that SW came up with this design in responce to complaints that a really quick bad guy could reach over the top of the gun and release the top latch therefore disabling your gun and dumping the load out before the good guy could fire. Lets see, I did say a really fast bad guy right. Produced from 1909 to 1920.

Magnum Wheel Man · March 19, 2010, 07:45 AM

Thanks for the reply... so... that latch is pushed forward along with the top latch worked to open the gun ... is this a "stronger" design than the top latch alone ???

I like guns of this era, & have begun collecting them... ( shooting with light trailboss loads & round balls ) I have a couple "squeezers" but am not partial to shooting them in comparision to some of the other guns without the grip safety... & since I shoot mostly paper with them, I have been looking at old S&W hammer guns, so this model has caught my eye because of the exposed hammer... the extra latch really had me puzzled... thanks...

**Mike Irwin** · March 19, 2010, 08:32 AM

"is this a "stronger" design than the top latch alone ???"

No, not really. As Mike says, it was done to prevent someone from popping the gun open by grabbing the top latch.

Magnum Wheel Man · March 19, 2010, 08:46 AM

all Mikes so far, as I'm one too...

thanks for the replys guys...

James K · March 19, 2010, 10:13 PM

The idea of some bad guy (aka, "The Latch Snatcher") actually unlocking the good guy's gun in close combat seems far fetched, but if it was not a real occurrence, it was at least a real fear. Remember that Schofield redesigned the latch on the big S&W revolver for the same reason.

Jim (not Mike)

Chris_B · March 19, 2010, 10:16 PM

post a pic of the whole S&W please. Looks like a nice revolver

johnwilliamson062 · March 19, 2010, 10:41 PM

^^+1(i think that should be allowed in this instance.)
I would like to see the rest of this one.

March 19, 2010, 07:45 AM	#3
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	Thanks for the reply... so... that latch is pushed forward along with the top latch worked to open the gun ... is this a "stronger" design than the top latch alone ??? I like guns of this era, & have begun collecting them... ( shooting with light trailboss loads & round balls ) I have a couple "squeezers" but am not partial to shooting them in comparision to some of the other guns without the grip safety... & since I shoot mostly paper with them, I have been looking at old S&W hammer guns, so this model has caught my eye because of the exposed hammer... the extra latch really had me puzzled... thanks... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

March 19, 2010, 08:32 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	"is this a "stronger" design than the top latch alone ???" No, not really. As Mike says, it was done to prevent someone from popping the gun open by grabbing the top latch. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 19, 2010, 08:46 AM	#5
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	wow... Mike's thread... all Mikes so far, as I'm one too... thanks for the replys guys... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

March 19, 2010, 07:33 AM	#2
Mike Faires Junior member Join Date: April 17, 2007 Posts: 29	That is why they call it the "Perfected" much like in todays world an answer to a perceived problem. You must activate the cylinder release along with the top strap release to open the action. Also this is the first SW with the trigger guard intregal to the frame rather than a seperate part. Popular legend has it that SW came up with this design in responce to complaints that a really quick bad guy could reach over the top of the gun and release the top latch therefore disabling your gun and dumping the load out before the good guy could fire. Lets see, I did say a really fast bad guy right. Produced from 1909 to 1920.

March 19, 2010, 10:13 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The idea of some bad guy (aka, "The Latch Snatcher") actually unlocking the good guy's gun in close combat seems far fetched, but if it was not a real occurrence, it was at least a real fear. Remember that Schofield redesigned the latch on the big S&W revolver for the same reason. Jim (not Mike)

March 19, 2010, 10:16 PM	#7
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	post a pic of the whole S&W please. Looks like a nice revolver

March 19, 2010, 10:41 PM	#8
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	^^+1(i think that should be allowed in this instance.) I would like to see the rest of this one.