New Revolver Cylinder "sticks": cure?

[BruceRDucer]

I want to fix this.

Have a new S & W model 617.

.22LR, Double Action.

When we push the cylinder release button forward, it takes a lot of pressure to push the cylinder out for emptying.

I don't yet know which specific part holds the cylinder in place, but I suspect it could be smoothed a bit.

Can someone identify the part for me?

/

 

[rcmodel]

The extractor rod pin at the rear, and the spring loaded pin at the front inside the barrel lug.

The thumb release pushes a pin through the recoil shield and compresses the spring inside the extractor rod, which releases both the front & rear locking pins.

Oil on both ends of the extractor rod, and spring loaded lock under the barrel, and a light dab of grease on the recoil shield where the pin rubs on it should help.

As will continued break-in from using it.

BTW: It is possible your extractor rod is coming unscrewed from the cylinder assembly. If that happens, it will eventually get to the point you can't open the cylinder at all.

WIth the cylinder open, hold it and try turning the extractor rod by hand. If it turns and the cylinder doesn't, it is loose and needs to be tightened. (Left hand thread)

rcmodel

 

[RandomMan]

It could be that your bolt is not releasing properly. That said, I doubt polishing will reduce the amount of pressure it takes to open and close the gun. Make sure that your bolt is the correct length, by making sure that it is pushing the center pin far enough to clear the breech.

First, how much pressure are we talking about to get the gun open? A good working DA revolver should require a couple of fingers worth of pressure and no more, but it should also not require much less.

If you feel it's still too much pressure, remove the cylinder and crane from the gun and thoroughly clean the channel that the crane fits into. Then lubricate the crane with a good heavy duty lube, I use lithium based grease on my cranes. This will most likely smooth your gun up considerably, especially if the channel is very dirty.

If that does not work for you, I would opt to send it back to Smith and Wesson and have their excellent service department take a look at it for you. Remember too, that it could be you just need to open and close the cylinder a few hundred times to get it to where it needs to be.

-Rob

 

[BruceRDucer]

Thanks.

Here's how much pressure. Sometimes all the force of one finger cannot open it.

It's easer to turn the gun horizontal, so that gravity helps, and and punch it with the bottom of my hand.

I've shot it once. Love it. It always took a firm push, but it's actually gotten tougher to open. Something must be loose?

/

 

[BBBBill]

Don't continue to force it. You will damage something.

 

[BruceRDucer]

Thanks you. Here's what happened

Thank you all so much. Your suggestions keyed me in on the difficulty.

Even this morning, the problem was getting worse, such that the cylinder would not even go back into the frame.

Obviously, something that "screwed" was getting out of position, because the gun worked fine at first, but grew worse each day.

The advice fromRCMODEL....

BTW: It is possible your extractor rod is coming unscrewed from the cylinder assembly. If that happens, it will eventually get to the point you can't open the cylinder at all.

WIth the cylinder open, hold it and try turning the extractor rod by hand. If it turns and the cylinder doesn't, it is loose and needs to be tightened. (Left hand thread)--RCMODEL

...Was the key that helped me focus on the problem. The "ejector"? / Extractor rod seems to have worked itself loose, and that slight unscrewing caused a lot of concern.

Now, I'm a gunsmith "apprentice" I reckon! Thanks guys!

 

[Jubjub]

I've had to loctite the ejector rods on all my stainless Smiths. Don't know why, but they always seem to work loose. Never had a problem with a blue gun.

 

[rcmodel]

Now, I'm a gunsmith "apprentice" I reckon!

O.K> Now earn your keep!

You need to take the EJ rod houshing completely out, degrease all the threads with spray brake cleaner, blow it out with compressed air, and then put one small drop of BLUE Lock-Tight on it.

Then put it back together.

Without the BLUE L-T treatment, it will just keep coming loose.

rcmodel

 

[BruceRDucer]

"...degrease all the threads with spray brake cleaner.......Without the BLUE L-T treatment, it will just keep coming loose. rcmodel

Yes sir! I'm off to the auto parts right now!