[Adam Helmer]

Rapier,

You are correct; S&W heavy caliber revolvers do suffer from heavy loads, both factory and reloads.

The heavy cylinder rotates on the barrel of the yoke. Upon firing, the recoil forces the cylinder FORWARD where it peens the end of the barrel of the yoke. Incrementally, the endshake develops.

A Ruger SA revolver has a solid center pin that does not get the peening a Smith does.

Adam