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How to Install a Lanyard Loop on My Revolver

Lanyard loops were originally used by mounted cavalry to prevent the soldiers from losing their guns. The lanyard may be looped around the waist or the shoulder, while the other end is connected to a ring that is fixed to the bottom of the grip frame of the revolver. A lanyard loop can also be connected to a belt to prevent the loss the revolver. Many historical military issued revolvers came with a lanyard loop already installed. A lanyard loop can also be installed at home, however it requires some machinists skills and some specialized equipment.

Things You'll Need

Lanyard ring
Machine screw sling swivel stud, 10-32 thickness, .25 inch length
Machinists vice
Drill press
drill bit
10-32 tap
Rag
Blue thread locker

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the grip frame of the revolver. The precise method of doing this will be different for every revolver, but you will likely have to remove all of the loose parts from the grip frame, such as the mainspring, hammer strut, pivot pin, mainspring seat and trigger return spring.
- 2
  Put the grip frame upside down in the machinist vise, and position under the drill press. Drill a hole .25 inches down with thedrill bit. Locate the hole towards the rear of the grip frame, and center it on the width of the frame.
- 3
  Take the drill bit out of the press, and insert the 10-32 tap. Lower the tap down into the hole to create the threads. Add some cutting oil while drilling to lubricate the tap.
- 4
  Clean off all of the oil and cutting chips with a rag after threading the hole.
- 5
  Put a drop of blue thread-locker on the threads, and then screw in the machine screw sling swivel.
- 6
  Screw the split key ring into the hole in the end of the sling swivel stud.
- 7
  Clip the spring hook to the ring. Clip the lanyard to the hook.

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