Smith & Wesson Revolver Instructions Manual

							11
•Use only commercially manufactured ammunition with
internal ballistic pressures which are in strict accordance 
with the specifications of the Sporting Arms and 
Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI).
•Be certain all ammunition you use complies with the 
SAAMI specifications. If you are uncertain, contact your 
ammunition supplier for verification.
C.
MISFIRES
•If your firearm fails to fire when the trigger is pulled 
(misfires), keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction, 
remove your finger from the trigger, and wait 10 seconds.
Only after you have completed all of the above steps, 
remove the magazine or open the cylinder and remove the 
cartridge from the chamber and dispose of it properly.
Keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.
•If you have heard an unusual sound or felt an unusual recoil 
on firing, stop firing, wait 10 seconds, unload the firearm, 
and examine the barrel bore for obstructions.
•Make sure your barrel is clear and free of obstructions.
If you see an obstruction, return your firearm to 
Smith & Wesson or take it to a qualified gunsmith. Never 
fire a firearm with an obstructed barrel.
D
.AMMUNITION SPECIFICS
•Use only ammunition specifically recommended by
Smith & Wesson for your firearm.
•Never mix ammunition.
•Never use a cartridge not specifically designated for use in 
your firearm. Pressure from the wrong type of ammunition 
may be beyond the capability of your firearm to withstand 
and may damage or even rupture your firearm.
•Whenever rimless pistol cartridges are used in the cylinder 
of a Smith & Wesson revolver, (except M547) full or
half-moon clips MUST be used to both position and extract 
such cartridges. Failure to use ammunition clips with
rimless cartridges may result in malfunction of the revolver.
•Additional ammunition calibers can be fired from the
following list of select calibers.
Caliber on Barrel
Can also Fire  .45 Colt .45 Schofield, .45 S&W
.45 S&W .45 Schofield
.44 Magnum  .44 Special  
.357 Magnum  .38 Special, .38 Special +P  
.22LR   .22L, .22 Short, .22CB, .22BB 
(in revolvers only) 
10mm  .40 S&W  (in revolvers only)
•In some cases, a round of ammunition not specified on your 
handgun may fit into the chamber or cylinder. Firing 
ammunition not specified on your handgun may cause it
to rupture and cause serious injury or death.
AMMUNITION  CONT’D. 
						

							12
AMMUNITION  CONT’D.
E.AMMUNITION WARNINGS
•“Plus-P” (+P) ammunition generates pressures in excess of 
the pressures associated with standard ammunition. Such 
pressures may affect the wear characteristics or exceed the 
margin of safety built into some revolvers and could 
therefore be DANGEROUS.
•“Plus-P” ammunition should not be used in medium
(K frame) revolvers manufactured prior to 1958. Such
pre-1958 medium (K-frame) revolvers can be identified by 
the absence of a model number stamped inside the yoke 
cut of the frame. (i.e., the area of the frame exposed when 
the cylinder is in the open position, see Figure 2).
•“Plus-P-Plus (+P+) marking on the ammunition merely
designates that it exceeds established industry standards, 
but the designation does not represent defined pressure 
limits and therefore such ammunition may vary significantly 
as to the pressures generated.
•“Plus-P-Plus (+P+) ammunition is not recommended for use 
in Smith & Wesson firearms.
•In the Model 940 revolver, some brands of 9mm parabellum 
ammunition may cause difficulty in extracting spent 
cartridge cases from the cylinder. If this situation occurs, 
thoroughly clean the cylinder charge holes with solvent. If 
this condition persists, we recommend changing to another 
brand of 9mm parabellum ammunition.
•Smith & Wesson has found wide variations in primer
sensitivity between some brands and types of .22LR
ammunition. Smith & Wesson recommends that before you 
put your .22LR handgun into regular use, that you fire
several boxes of your choice of ammunition through it to 
determine reliability of ignition. If “failure to fire” occurs, try 
different types of brands of .22LR ammunition until a
reliable loading is found. 
						

							13
Carefully inspect the loaded round to determine if its bullet
has started to unseat (move forward) from its casing.(Figure 2)
If it has, you should not use the tested ammunition in your
revolver. Chose another projectile weight or brand of
ammunition and repeat this test until you find one that
DOES NOT UNSEATunder these test conditions. When you
are finished, fully unload your revolver and secure it safely.
PROPER
CARTRIDGE
CARTRIDGE WITH
UNSEATED
PROJECTILE
CASE MOUTHPROJECTILE
AMMUNITION WARNING
FOR Ti, Sc, PD Series
REVOLVERS
Before placing any of these reduced weight revolvers into
service, perform the following test to determine the
suitability of the ammunition you intend to use.
At a gun range or other suitable and safe location, prepare your
revolver for firing by fully loading its cylinder with the ammunition
to be tested. While pointing the firearm in a safe direction, fire all
but the last round. Remove the empty casings and the last
loaded round from the revolver’s cylinder.
FIGURE 2
AMMUNITION WARNING
ALL SCANDIUM REVOLVERS FIRING
MAGNUM AMMUNITION
(Example: All model 340’s, 360’s, 386’s)
To reduce the possibility of premature cylinder
erosion, do NOT use Magnum
®loadings with
bullet weights less than 120 gr. 
						

							14
MODEL NUMBER
IDENTIFICATION
The internal serial number and the model and dash numbers
appear inside the yoke (figure 3) when the cylinder is in the open
position. The external serial number appears below the cylinder.
(Figure 4)
FIGURE 3
FRONT SIGHTBARREL
HAMMER
THUMBPIECE REAR SIGHT CYLINDER
GRIP TRIGGER
GUARD TRIGGER EXTRACTOR
ROD MUZZLE
FIGURE 5
INTERNAL LOCK
FIGURE 4 
						

							When you inspect your revolver, you must first check to ensure
that it is unloaded. Do this with your finger off the trigger and out
of the trigger guard (Figure 6) and keep the barrel of the gun
pointed in a safe direction. Press the thumbpiece forward and
push the cylinder to the left (Figure 7).
You are now able to visually check all charge holes for cartridges
and the barrel for obstructions.
You must follow this procedure every time your revolver is
handled, inspected, handed to another person, transported or
stored.
INSPECTING YOUR
REVOLVER
FIGURE 6FIGURE 7
15
INTERNAL LOCK
MECHANISM
Never underestimate the possibility for an
unauthorized user to find your key or otherwise
defeat this internal lock.
You must continuously examine your personal
situation to make sure the internal lock provides a
sufficient level of security to keep unauthorized
users from firing the revolver.
An internal lock mechanism will be added to
revolvers during 2001.
FEATURES
This feature prevents hammer
and trigger motion when activated.
On revolvers with internal lock
mechanisms, markings on the left
side of the frame, adjacent to the
lock, indicate the locking status. In
addition, revolvers with fully
exposed hammers display a flag
marked “LOCKED” when the
revolver is locked. This lock requires an external key to engage
and to disengage. The lock is located adjacent to and slightly
over the thumb piece. (Figure 8)FIGURE 8 
						

							16
TOENGAGETHELOCK
WARNING: Never lock the revolver while it is loaded.
Never lock the firearm with the hammer cocked.
Open the cylinder and ensure the revolver is completely
unloaded. Hold the revolver with the cylinder open in one hand.
Insert the key and turn it counter-clockwise using the other hand.
The key will turn approximately 90
o.The locked indicator flag will
become visible on revolvers with exposed hammers. A definite
stop and detent will be felt when the key is turned to either the
locked or the unlocked postion. (Figure 9)
TODISENGAGETHELOCK
WARNING: Always open the cylinder and verify the
revolver is unloaded and each charge hole is empty
before unlocking the revolver.
With the cylinder open, hold the revolver in one hand. Insert the
key and turn it approximately 90
oin a clockwise direction using
the other hand until the flag returns to its hidden, unlocked
position on revolvers with exposed hammers. A definite stop and
detent will be felt when the key is turned to either the locked or
the unlocked postion. (Figure 10)
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 10
INTERNAL LOCK MECHANISM  CONT’D.
WARNING: NEVER ATTEMPT TO DETERMINE
WHETHER A REVOLVER IS LOCKED OR UNLOCKED
BY  PULLING THE TRIGGER.
To Lock
To Unlock 
						

							17
INTERNAL LOCK MECHANISM  CONT’D.
The position of the cylinder has no relationship to the locked
status of the revolver.
When the revolver is properly locked, the cylinder may be
opened or closed.
The internal lock feature does not remove your 
responsibility for the proper securing and storage of
your handgun.
The revolver and ammunition must not be available to
unauthorized users.
Never provide the key or reveal the location of the key
to anyone you do not intend to use this handgun.
WARNING:
TO SAFELY RECOVER FROM A SITUATION WHERE THE
REVOLVER HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY LOCKED WITH THE
HAMMER FULLY COCKED, THE FOLLOWING STEPS MUST
BE FOLLOWED. THROUGHOUT THIS PROCEDURE, THE
REVOLVER MUST BE TREATED AS IF IT WERE LOADED.
1. WITH YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER AND OUT OF
THE TRIGGER  GUARD, PLACE THE THUMB  OF YOUR
SHOOTING HAND ON THE HAMMER AND PULL FULLY
REARWARD TO ENSURE THE HAMMER IS IN THE FULLY
COCKED POSITION.
2. WITH YOUR FINGER STILL OFF THE TRIGGER AND OUT
OF THE TRIGGER GUARD AND THE REVOLVER POINTED IN
A SAFE DIRECTION, UNLOCK THE LOCK USING THE KEY
PROVIDED.
3. FOLLOW THE DECOCKING PROCEDURE AS
EXPLAINED ON PAGES 19-20 TO DECOCK THE REVOLVER.
ASSUME THE REVOLVER IS LOADED WHILE FOLLOWING
THIS PROCEDURE.
4. OPEN THE CYLINDER AND VERIFY THE REVOLVER IS
UNLOADED. 
						

							18
FIRING
WARNING:During firing always keep the barrel
pointed in a safe direction. Always keep your 
fingers away from the area between the cylinder and
the barrel during firing.
LOADING
•Do not load your revolver until you have read and 
understand the Basic Firearms Safety Rules.
•Do not load your revolver until you are at the shooting site 
and fully prepared to fire.
•If your internal lock is engaged, unlock before proceeding.
•To load your revolver, hold it in one hand with the muzzle 
pointed in a safe direction and away from you and others 
while keeping your finger off the trigger and out of the
trigger guard. Press the thumbpiece forward  to unlock the 
cylinder. Push the cylinder to the left and place a round of 
the correct ammunition in each charge hole. Grasp the 
revolver in the shooting hand with your finger still outside 
the trigger guard (Figure 11), push the cylinder back into 
the frame until it locks into place.
Your revolver is now fully loaded and ready to be fired.
The hammer is in the “at rest” position as shown in Figure 3,
Page 14.
!!  
WARNING  !!
Always inspect your revolver visually to be sure the hammer
and trigger are in the at rest or forward position before
holstering or carrying it. Never
holster, carry or store your
revolver with the hammer cocked.
Remember to keep your revolver
pointed in a safe direction. Never
leave a loaded firearm unattended.
FIGURE 11
There are two ways to fire your
Smith & Wesson revolver. The
first is in the double action
mode, wherein the shooter fully
pulls and holds the trigger to the
rear, causing the hammer to fully
cycle rearward and then release.
The second way to fire a
revolver is in the single action mode, in which the hammer is 
first cocked and the trigger is then pulled and held to the
rear (Figure 12).FIGURE 12 
						

							19
FIRING CONT’D.
A lesser amount of trigger pressure and motion are necessary to fire
the revolver when the hammer is in the cocked position. As in any fir-
ing situation, continue to exercise great care in handling a revolver
which has been placed in the single action or cocked mode.
Doub
le Action Firing*While holding the grips firmly, pull the trigger fully to the rear.
The hammer will move rearward and then fall forward to fire the
revolver. Never touch the trigger until you are ready to fire. After
firing, you must allow the trigger to move forward fully before you can
fire another shot. Failure to do so will prevent the lockwork from fully
cycling and will prevent your being able to fire the next shot. Keep
your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are
ready to fire again. Do not touch or otherwise interfere with the travel
of the hammer during double action firing.
* This is the only mode of operation possible on Smith & Wesson
Centennial models (with enclosed non-visible hammer) such as
models 296, 332, 340, 342, 442, 640, 642 and 940.
Single Action Firing
With your fingers outside of the trigger guard and a firm hold on the
grips, place the thumb of your non-shooting hand on the hammer
spur. Pull the hammer fully rearward until it is cocked as shown in
Figure 12. The action of pulling the hammer to the rear until it is
cocked will also cause the trigger to move rearward. The revolver will
now fire in the single action mode, requiring significantly less trigger
pressure than in the double action mode.
Never touch the trigger until you are ready to fire. To fire, pull the
trigger and hold it rearward. After firing, you must allow the trigger
to move fully forward before you can fire another shot. Failure to do
so will prevent the lockwork from fully cycling and will prevent your
being able to fire the next shot. Keep your finger off the trigger and
outside the trigger guard until you are ready to fire again.
WARNING:Always keep the barrel pointed in a safe
direction!
W
ARNING:Only place the revolver in the single action
mode when you are fully prepared to fire.
Decoc
king (or uncocking):If you decide not to fire in single action from a cocked position, con-
tinue to point the firearm in a safe direction. Decock the revolver as
follows:
(1) Place the thumb of your free hand between the hammer and the 
frame of the handgun to prevent the hammer from moving fully 
forward until your finger is off the trigger and out of the trigger 
guard. (Fig. 13)
(2) Place the thumb of your firing hand on the hammer spur. You
must always control the hammer with your thumbs when 
decocking the handgun. If the hammer slips while the trigger is 
held to the rear and you have failed to block the hammer travel, 
your handgun will fire. (Figure 13) 
						

							20FIGURE 16 FIGURE 14 FIGURE 13
FIGURE 15
FIRING CONT’D.
(3) Apply pressure to the trigger to release the hammer as shown 
in Figure 14. Immediately after the hammer has come out of 
cocked position, release the trigger and withdraw your finger 
from the trigger guard.
W
ARNING:Failure to remove your finger from the trigger
guard as soon as the hammer releases could cause the
revolver to fire if your thumb slips off of the hammer spur.
(4) Carefully ease the hammer forward while removing your other 
thumb from between the hammer and frame (Figure 15) until 
the hammer is in the “at rest” position (Figure 16).
5) Practice this procedure with your unloaded revolver until you 
have mastered decocking. Always be aware of the hammer 
position. Never holster, carry or store a cocked revolver.
Be sure the hammer is in the “at rest” position as shown in 
Figure 16 after decocking.
Caution:
  Incomplete DecockingFailure to release the trigger and to withdraw your finger from the
trigger guard immediately after the hammer has come out of the
cocked position may result in the interruption of the forward move-
ment of the hammer between the cocked position and the “at rest”
position. In this case, the hammer will appear to have stopped
between the full cock and “at rest” positions. If this occurs, keep
your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard while returning
the hammer with your thumb to the fully cocked position. Then
properly decock the hammer to the “at rest” position following the
decocking procedures outlined on page 19.