[rory1957]

I am a New Member.

I have two S&W revolvers: (1) a Model 60 (2.1") stainless and (2) a Model 686+ (6") stainless, and I love them both. A minor problem has developed in both of them, though. After about 4,000 rounds in the snubbie (mostly .38 specials), the cylinder rod unscrewed to the point that the cylinder jammed and wouldn't open - had to have a friend show me how to screw it back in. Later, after about 500 rounds (mostly .357s), the same thing happened with my 686. Someone advised me to put a dab of Loctite Blue at the base of the rods to hold them snugly in place.

QUESTION: Is that a good idea ? Is this rod unscrewing a normal thing ?? Any other suggestions ??? Thanx in advance

Where is the weapon with which I enforce your bondage ? You give it to me every time you open your mouth. -- Frank Herbert

[dfariswheel]

A SMALL amount of Locktite Blue will work fine.

To apply, unscrew the rod and put a SMALL dab on the rod's threads, (CAREFUL, if too much is used it can "glue" the assembly fast).

Put three EMPTY cartridge cases in the cylinder to support the ejector, pad the end of the rod with brass, lead, or leather, and careful not to bend the rod, gently snug the rod down tight.

[Brian Williams]

No locktite blue, clear nail polish

[WT]

Like they said.

And yes, strange as it may seem 'unscrewing' seems to be a normal characteristic. A lot of us have had that happen to us.

[Standing Wolf]

Applying anything isn't going to work if the parts aren't clean and dry. After the Lock Tight or clear nail polish dries, add oil.

Unscrewing ejector rods are the norm rather than the exception.

[HSMITH]

It really doesn't bother me. Take a piece of leather to pad the plier jaws and tighten it down WITH fired cases in the cylinder. Then it won't come loose on most range sessions.

It has become a habit to check it every couple cylinders, and it just doesn't pose a problem to me.

[Malamute]

I've only had it happen a few of times. I take wood blocks to pad and grip the rod, and clamp it in a vice, then turn (torque) the cylinder by hand, with several empty shells in it, and torque the rod. Have never ever had one come loose when done this way. Best to remove the cylinder to do this. I've never used locktite or anything else. Been shooting Smiths since about 1973, and several 100k rounds worth of shooting. Only once did the gun completely quit, the other times just noticed it getting "sticky" and checked the rod.

I do this to a gun after I get it, instead of waiting for something to happen.

Be advised, the extractor rod is reverse thread.

[steveno]

your guns seem to be new enough that they should have the left hand threads and I wouldn't think that would be a problem. I have a M-48 that was made in 1959 and it has the right hand thread. I have been cautioned by a number of people to not use loctite because if you get too much and that isn't good. I just make a mental note to check it every time I shoot it

[Malamute]

They were changed to the left hand thread to attemp to keep the rod from unscrewing, but they still come loose once in awhile if not torqued well.

I've noticed a couple that were loose when handling the guns, I spin the cylinder both directions by hand with the rod with it open, and check (stop0 the spin with the rod. If they are loose, this sometimes shows it before they get loose shooting.

[MR.G]

I don't keep mine very tight because I remove the cylinder and the extractor each time that the guns are cleaned. I usually check the tightness of the rod by hand every few reloads. It gets pretty dirty around the yoke barrel. Be careful, too much torque when tightening can bend the shaft.

[Malamute]

Just curious, why do you remove the extractor regularly? I opt for reliability rather than ease of disassembly. I doubt mine are disassembled every 5 or 10 years. Never had a cleaning issue.

Just curious?

[4thHorseman]

A SMALL amount of Locktite Blue will work fine.

To apply, unscrew the rod and put a SMALL dab on the rod's threads, (CAREFUL, if too much is used it can "glue" the assembly fast).

Put three EMPTY cartridge cases in the cylinder to support the ejector, pad the end of the rod with brass, lead, or leather, and careful not to bend the rod, gently snug the rod down tight.

What dfariswheel said. Mine unscrewed until I put blue locktite on it. It has not done it since.

[MR.G]

MALAMUTE,
I have been known for overcleaning my guns. It gets pretty dirty and gritty around the yoke barrel and inside the cylinder after a few rounds. It just seems like a good idea to get the grit out of there and to lube it.

[rory1957]

Thanks for the help on this, everybody !

I will take your advice re the Loctite, and exactly how to rectify the problem. Also, it is was good to hear that I'm not the only revo owner with this ejector rod problem.

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