as i pointed out the last time this subject came up and the analogy was drawn with s&w revolvers, that analogy is STUPID and proves the counterpoint and also shows the person drawing that analogy has never really looked at the "bolting" on a s&w revolver. the plunger which serves as the axis around which the cylinder revolves is spring loaded to the REAR and rides against the frame 100% of the time when the cylinder is being swung out and back in and you can push the thumb latch till hell freezes over and that plunger will push against the frame forever, every single time. all the plunger does is disengage that pin from its recess in the frame and likewise disengage the corresponding frame mounted plunger from the fwd end of the ejector rod. for pete's sake, look at the rear inside of the frame; you can plainly see the drag mark on any s&w that's ever had the cylinder swung out more than once.
and no, it ain't necessarily true that everybody who owns colts pulls the thumb latch to the rear to close the cylinder. that's why it has a bevel on it.
and as to accelerating wear, exactly how can allowing a shotguns bolt to close under spring tension accelerate wear? it's the same 2 pieces of metal rubbing together over the same linear distance every single time whether you're holding the lever or not. spring loaded, thumb restrained, that locking bolt travels the same distance and is steel on steel every single time.
