[Quilbilly]

I got my .38 about 3 years ago and it probably has 600-800 rounds through it. I took it too the range and I had to push the ejector rod much harder to get the empty brass out. It seemed to be worse when the gun was a little hot. Also, I found that if I pushed them out just a little and then removed them by hand some would come out freely and others would be harder to get out. I did not shoot it much while I was there. Any ideas whats going on? Is it safe to shoot? I cleaned it before I went shooting because it had not been shot in awhile.

[earlthegoat2]

could just be the ammo type/brand

[1KPerDay]

Hot-loaded ammo may expand the cases tighter against the chambers... also what did you do to clean the chambers, if anything? Did you leave any residue/oil/whatever in them?

[ArmedBear]

I have had that experience more with .357 that has had .38 shot in it.

I'd see how easily rounds drop in. They should drop in loose, all the way to the bottom, and wiggle around a bit when loaded. Clean the cylinder well with a wire brush if they don't.

Otherwise, I'm not sure.

[Quilbilly]

The rounds go in just fine. I scrubbed the chambers out before I shot it. I am going to go shoot it again this weekend with some different ammo and try to figure out whats up.

[WC145]

Make sure the chambers are dry after you clean them.

[Quilbilly]

I shot it again today. Everything is fine. Must have been the ammo?

[rcmodel]

Yep!

Some brands of ammo is loaded hotter then others, and expand more.

Some brands of brass is softer, and stays expanded, rather then contracting back after the pressure is gone.

I don't think you have a gun problem atall.

rc

[jad0110]

I shot it again today. Everything is fine. Must have been the ammo?

Yep. Remington bulk pack 22 LR gets stuck in the chambers of my S&W K-22 pretty good, but Federal Bulk Pack (among many other brands) work fine.

Winchester SuperX .357 Magnum would get stuck in the chambers of my old Taurus Model 66 so bad I had to use a small screw driver and hammer to tap them out (while supporting the crane/cylinder assembly, of course); all other brands worked perfectly.