Meridian Firearms .32S&W Top Break

[Rdunker]

I have a Meridian Firearms .32 S&W Top Break that I am working on for a friend. I'm having trouble finding any information on them.

The cylinder free spins and the trigger does not reset. The only time the cylinder locks up is when the trigger is in the reward position. Is this normal?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm at a loss and I don't want to have to buy a book on it.

 

[Radagast]

Spare parts here:
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=9383
Wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meriden_Firearms_Co.
I couldn't find any info on them in Flayderman's guide to antique american firearms. I suggest you repost or ask a moderator to move this to either the gunsmithing or firearms research sub forums.

 

[Rdunker]

How do I have a moderator move it to one of those sub forums? And I'm not sure if I need spare parts. I really could use a schematic or some pictures to help to tell me if my parts are worn.

 

[Radagast]

Try personal messaging Brian: http://www.thehighroad.org/member.php?u=65
Or just start a new thread.

 

[woad_yurt]

I'll bet that the trigger return spring is inop. Wolff sells a pack of little leaf spring for around $5-7 or so. You may need to trim them but it's easy.

Lots of old revolvers, especially the smaller, lower-priced .32s, have free spinning cylinders. Does yours free-spin even when cocking or pulling the trigger, totally free of the rest of the works? Is it entirely on its own? Or, does it only spin one way after the gun is snapped closed?

I have a couple of old top-break .32s; I carry one sometimes when I want "small." I'll load it up and snap it shut so that the firing pin sits in between two shells, resting on the cylinder. That way it's prevented from spinning and is totally safe from impact.

Many, many of these old, economy .32s seem to be of very similar design so a schematic of an H&R or Iver Johnson should familiarize you enough to do the job. They're very simple.

PM me if you have any questions. Maybe I can help.

 

[Rdunker]

woad yurt that helps alot!!

The cylinder free spins CW(Looking from the back) and will lock up in the timing slots when rotated in the CCW direction. Also when the trigger is in the furthest reward position the cylinder locks up completely. I got the trigger back working a few nights ago, the leaf springs were in wrong. Every once and a while the trigger will stick back but other than that it works fine. Which is good enough for the guy that is having me work on it.
I appreciate all the help I'm kinda new to posting on the forums but I'll definitely be more interactive.