J-frame cylinder question

[Granth3w]

So my J-frame 360PD .357 started doing something really strange. When the cylinder is open, the cylinder can slide rearward, past the recoil shield (and come all the way off if the grips are removed).

What is supposed to prevent this from happening? It's already supposed to go back to S&W so they can fix it, but I'm still curious as to what could be causing this.

 

[rcmodel]

Look on the side of the frame just below the rear of the cylinder.

That little hump is the cylinder stop.

It used to be a pressed in and carefully fitted steel part, and your problem was unheard off.

Now it is made as part of the frame and some of them are apparently too short, or getting polished too short during finishing.

The only fix is a new frame.

rc

 

[Granth3w]

That's what I thought. I was trying to do different searches on it, but couldn't really find anything. I saw one post that I thought alluded to my problem, but wasn't sure. How common is this?

 

[rcmodel]

I don't know how common.

But yours is not the first one I've heard about here on THR in the last couple of years.

rc

 

[LAGS]

I have come across two of these similar problems in the past two years.
One was because someone polished down the Nub so it wouldnt catch the back of the cylinder.
You Do Not Need a new Frame.
A new nub can be made by grinding the old one flat, and then having it welded up and reground.
I would not recomend this option as you can warp the frame if you are not careful.
The second is to drill a hole in the frame and put in a nub that is held in place by a friction pressed fit, and then reshape it.
The pin has a step in it with the outside part being about 1/4' diameter and the shank in only about 1/16 " that presses into the frame.
It then has to be filed to match the original nub shape with a flat front and correct height.

The second revolver was jumping the Nub , Because the crane was bent from the guy loading the cylinder and flipping the cylinder shut.
He thought it looked cool to do it that way, just like in the Movies.
I had to straighten the bent crane, and it was fine.

 

[PRM]

I bought an older model 649 that had the same problem, except mine would do it with the grips on. The frame stud was bad, don't know if the previous owner had polished it down or whether it may have been like that since it left the factory. On the older guns the frame stud was pressed into the frame. S&W replaced mine, corrected some end shake and brought it back to factory specs for me. Took about two weeks to get the gun back like new. Mine was an older out of warranty gun - they charged me a grand total of $64.

 

[rcmodel]

then having it welded up and reground.

No, I would not recommending welding on a Scandium Frame S&W either!!!

That Scandium welding rod is scarcer then hens teeth!


Neither would I recommend drilling a hole in it and putting a homemade cylinder stop in it.

The OP's relatively new 360PD has a life-time warranty.
It's S&W's problem to fix or replace it free.

rc

 

[Jim K]

When it is a separate part, it is called the Frame Lug and is available for about $5 or so from Gun Parts Corp. But I strongly recommend against a DIY fix since a mistake can ruin the frame; same for attempted welding.

The only case I have seen was on a gun owned by a real screwball who insisted on having his Model 36 reblued every time he got a mark on it. After about a half dozen polishing jobs, the lug was so shallow the cylinder fell out. We sent it to S&W, who not only fixed the lug but reblued the gun, at no charge. But he no sooner got the gun back than he decided S&W's polishing job wasn't good enough and wanted us to reblue it. The boss finally suggested he find another gun shop to bother.

Jim

 

[PRM]

it is called the Frame Lug

I will agree that is what Gun Parts list it as, but that is not necessarily a universal term. Friedman calls it a frame stud and that is also what S&W put on my paperwork. From what Smith told me when I sent my gun to them, was that it took a special tool press it in??? Can't say from personal experience since I've never replaced one. But on an out of warranty gun, they were super cheap on their price. If I had a new lifetime warranty piece - no way I'd do a bubba job.

http://www.friedmanhandguntraining.com/Gun_Maintenance/S&W_revolver_inspection.pdf

 

[rcmodel]

All well, and good.

But again, the OP's gun is a new Scandium 360PD.
And the lug / stop / stud / bump? / hump? / is molded? / forged? / stamped? / stomped? / whatever? as part of the frame.

It is NOT a replaceable part on the Scandium frame 360PD.

The whole frame is going to have to be replaced under warranty.

If it's as simple as a bent crane like LAGS mentioned?
It can be easily straightened or replaced by S&W, again under warranty.
Free.

Steel insert cylinder stop Model 66 vis Molded in place stop Model 625-6



rc

 

[Jim K]

It is a rivet, so it requires a riveting tool to install. I also have seen both terms; S&W sources seem to use "lug" but it is not really worth worrying about as long as everyone knows what is being discussed. FWIW, here is a picture of one before installation, thanks to Midway.

AFAIK, it is not a replaceable part on any of the new S&W's; I think they all have the new frame with the "lug" made as part of the frame forging.

Jim

 

[PRM]

LOL... Agree RC. It's an S&W issue to fix/replace.

 

[Old Shooter]

Send it back to S&W, it's their problem.

If you do any fix-it-your self options it may impact your ability to have S&W work on your gun for warranty work in the future, and why should you have to do that anyway?

 

[Granth3w]

Yeah, I'm definitely going to have them fix it. I like small DIY stuff, but nothing like that. The black on the frame has rubbed off at the bottom of the frame where the cylinder hits it (to where the shiny, silver metal is shining through), so I guess it has just worn it down over time.

Seems like they may have to replace the frame or somehow build that hump back up slightly without damaging the integrity of the frame.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. At least this happens sometimes and it's not unheard of.