Highway Patrolman - bad charge hole ---

[Waveski]

6-8 months back I acquired a S&W H.P. I ran a box of standard pressure .38 special thru it and put away in the safe , where it languished until today. Today I loaded 357 mag and .38+P. Right away I started to have ejection problems. An individual charge hole , always the same one , seemed to be allowing casings to expand , resulting in resistance to ejection. I tried one of the compromised casings in the other charge holes ; it would not fit. All other spent casings fit into all charge holes.

It would appear that I have an oversized chamber , or charge hole. Not good.

Questions :
1) What would cause this?
2) Am I correct in thinking that the solution to this problem is a cylinder replacement? If not that , then what?
3) If I do in fact need a new cylinder , is it a simple swap , or must it be timed by a smith , as in "return to Mother Ship"?

I'd like to take remedial measures fairly soon in the interest of getting the taste of disappointment out of my mouth. Please view the malformed casing and give comment.

Thanks 'Ski

 

[243winxb]

an oversized chamber

What is the diameter of the fat brass?

When i was working up a new load for my very old M28, the hotter load expanded the brass more. The extractor would put scratches on my new Starline brass. I polished the sharp edges with a wood dowel and emery paper, very carefully.

My 28 does have one tight chamber throat. I marked it and don't use it.

Not saying this is your problem. Measurements will help.

 

[Dave T]

It seems obvious from looking at the picture posted you have an over sized chamber. Only fix I know of is replacing the whole cylinder.

Unfortunately, I don't think S&W will replace it. They no longer have/maintain parts for their older models, like the M-28. You're best bet would be obtaining a used cylinder from some place like Gun Parts Corp. Then have a competent S&W gun smith fit it to you gun.

Good luck,
Dave

 

[BSA1]

It would appear that I have an oversized chamber , or charge hole. Not good.

Questions :
1) What would cause this?
2) Am I correct in thinking that the solution to this problem is a cylinder replacement? If not that , then what?
3) If I do in fact need a new cylinder , is it a simple swap or must it be timed by a smith , as in "return to Mother Ship"?

1. Over pressure cartridge. Most likely using reloaded ammunition that was loaded too hot. That is why the owner got rid of it. The reason the gun did not grenade is because it is so overbuilt.

2. Yes

3. It is not a simple drop in replacement part. The hand and bolt will need to be fitted to give the gun the proper lockup. I don't know if the "Mother Ship" still has old parts in inventory.

 

[Waveski]

243winxb -
My caliper is at my workplace ... will have to provide that info tomorrow. Note that the casing is distorted asymmetrically.

BSA1 - That's about what I thought. I'll sleep on it , but I don't know if I want an N frame badly enough to pour a significant amount of money into it. I prefer the K frame. I might consider selling the HP as a project with full disclosure ; cut my losses and apply the $$$ elsewhere in my shooting equipment. Wouldn't hurt to talk to Gun Parts Corp. first , as suggested.

 

[WestKentucky]

If you sell as-is your getting a 50% cut or worse. A cylinder is cheap enough to buy and install. If it needs fit then it needs fit, but in a day of mass production I would be a bit surprised if it needed much work to make it right.

 

[243winxb]

distorted asymmetrically.

Yes , seen its not identical on both sides . If it wont go in the other chamber, got to be a bulge.

S&W lists a M27 classic. I think the 27 & 28 are the same, except for finish? But not sure?

 

[Jonesy814]

A model 27 cylinder would work as long as its an older one with the recessed charge hole but the finish will be brighter on the 27 cylinder

 

[Waveski]

At this point the question on my mind is : If I were to acquire one of the cylinders I have seen listed, (Midway , USA Guns and Gear , and others ) , what are the chances it will be a drop in replacement? Swapping cylinders is easy ; timing and tuning is well out of my league. If I need to send the revolver off to a smith , 2 way shipping and all , the option of cutting losses starts to look practical.

 

[Walkalong]

You can always just use 5 chambers.

 

[joed]

At this point the question on my mind is : If I were to acquire one of the cylinders I have seen listed, (Midway , USA Guns and Gear , and others ) , what are the chances it will be a drop in replacement? Swapping cylinders is easy ; timing and tuning is well out of my league. If I need to send the revolver off to a smith , 2 way shipping and all , the option of cutting losses starts to look practical.

I'd be amazed if you could find a cylinder. If you can find one jump on it.

 

[243winxb]

drop in replacement? Swapping cylinders i

Call Smith and Wesson and ask. I dont think its a simple swap. Fitting may be needed. The old model cylinder, like mine is recessed. The newer cylinders are not.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...der-assembly-s-and-w-n-frame-model-27-28-blue

 

[Waveski]

You can always just use 5 chambers.

I considered that , but I don't think that would work for me. The annoyance factor would get in the way of shooting enjoyment. If it were a survival tool , then yes. Life is too short to be "blanked" off about something which can be controlled or eliminated.

 

[joed]

You can't just drop in a new cylinder, it's not that simple. That is something that a gunsmith would have to do.

 

[CraigC]

It could always be rechambered to a larger cartridge and the barrel replaced or rebored.

 

[joed]

It could always be rechambered to a larger cartridge and the barrel replaced or rebored.

The model 28 was a favorite years ago for conversion to .44 Spl. This was a very common conversion and was my first thought. However, where would you get a barrel for .44 Spl now days? I'm still amazed that cylinders are available for .357.

 

[The Bushmaster]

If that chamber was damaged by an over pressure load then the whole cylinder is damaged. REPLACE it.

Walkalong...What would you have him do? Put a wooden plug in the affected chamber?

 

[Waveski]

Bushmaster ,
I have no desire to shoot the HP as is , safe or not.

 

[Walkalong]

The annoyance factor

There's always that. I get that one.

 

[Walkalong]

If that chamber was damaged by an over pressure load then the whole cylinder is damaged. REPLACE it.

A good thing for a gunsmith to check, no doubt.

 

[BSA1]

Personally it would be worth the effort and cost to locate a replacement cylinder and the cost to have it installed as I want a old Model 28.

Try Jack First in Rapid City, S.D. for a cylinder. Jack First has helped me on hard to find parts. If you find a stripped cylinder you may be able to use the other parts off of the bad one.

 

[joed]

Bushmaster ,
I have no desire to shoot the HP as is , safe or not.

I hear you, I wouldn't shoot it either. I don't see anyway out except for replacing the cylinder. On the good side, replace the cylinder and you have a great gun that will last your lifetime and then some if you don't abuse it.

 

[Waveski]

Personally it would be worth the effort and cost to locate a replacement cylinder and the cost to have it installed as I want a old Model 28.

Well , I still have not decided whether to cut losses and sell as is. It is a 28-2. I swapped Pachs for the target grips.

 

[FM12]

Try eBay and gunbrGun they sometimes have parts. Gunbroker

 

[gotboostvr]

Try eBay and gunbrGun they sometimes have parts. Gunbroker

I've picked up a spare barrel and cylinder for my M19's off eBay, and almost converted a 681 to a 7 shot with an eBay cylinder but decided against it.