The local shop has a Rossi M68 (5 shot .38 spec. - similar to a J frame S&W). In handling it we found that the bolt will click out of the notch and the cylinder will unlock and rotate (IIRC it rotates clockwise only) when the hammer is down. When the hammer is cocked the cylinder is locked up tight as a drum. First we suspected a bolt problem, then another Rossi 5 shot in comes in for a new sight… and low and behold its cylinder reacts the same way. So we start think that’s perhaps that the design of the gun?

Is this cylinder lock up situation correct for the Rossi revolver?