H&R Sportsman cylinder fell off

[Dr. Fresh]

I was shooting my H&R 999 the other day, and I only got about 30 rounds into the session when the cylinder flew off. I went to open the action after firing off 9 rounds, and the cylinder came off with the casings still inside.

Forgive me for not knowing what all the parts are called, but basically there is no spring tension on the extractor. When I try to put the cylinder back in its "tube," it just slides to the bottom and sits there. It comes right back out when you pull on it.

I found this:
http://www.stevespages.com/ipb-handr-929.html

Slightly different model, but looks similar enough. Is it possible that part #26 is missing? It could have fallen out along with the cylinder, but how could the cylinder come out to begin with?



EDIT: Also, does the 999 have a half-cock sear? When I try to half-cock it, I can hear a clicking noise, but the hammer will not stay at half-cock.

Again, sorry for my ignorance, I just bought this thing.

 

[popeye]

Can't really answer your questions. I just bought a 999 yesterday, my first. Mine appears to have a safety cock position at about 3/32" pull on the hammer. Here's a link to a blow up 999. Lotta stuff in there.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1560z999

 

[kle]

there's supposed to be a piece on the "tube" that locks on a shoulder inside the cylinder, and only releases when you push on the part of it that is protruding out. I'll bet yours is worn down so that it doesn't reliably hold in the cylinder assembly.

If that pieces is still there (and it should be obvious if it is or isn't) see if you can get it to lock with the cylinder at different rotations.

I had a H&R Sportsman Double Action (precursor to the 999) that would only lock the cylinder at certain orientations, and breaking it open would sometimes pop the whole cylinder assembly out--this was caused by the casings sticking in the chambers, preventing the automatic ejection and popping the cylinder assembly instead.

ETA: the part I'm talking about is #9 on the e-gunparts diagram. This part is spring-loaded (or is a spring itself) and locks the cylinder on the 'tube' until it is depressed at the 'bump' in the middle.

 

[Walkalong]

ETA: the part I'm talking about is #9 on the e-gunparts diagram. This part is spring-loaded (or is a spring itself) and locks the cylinder on the 'tube' until it is depressed at the 'bump' in the middle.

Yep, and they have been known to break. Mine did. That is why I sold it, but I regret selling it to this day.

 

[Dr. Fresh]

I think that may be it, because it appears as though I have all the parts here. It must just be worn out or broken.

The cylinder does still turn and cycles just fine when it's put in place and the action is closed.