Mod 19-2 woes

[TheotherMikeG]

I bought a beautiful specimen of S&W goodness only to be disappointed at the range. I can shoot .38's with no problem, but the ejector rod sticks and I have to pull one or two cases out by hand. That was annoying, but not as annoying as the cylinder locking up while shooting .357 rounds. I couldn't get more than two shots off before the cylinder stopped rotating.

So I've removed the crane assembly, cleaned, lubed and reassembled. I've worked the ejector back and forth trying to smooth it out. I've dry-fired (w/snap caps), trying to smooth out an unusually heavy (for a S&W) trigger. The problem still persists. What next?

 

[.38 Special]

This is probably too obvious, but have you made sure the charge holes are clean, smooth, and not bulged?

 

[orionengnr]

I'll bet a dollar

If you call S&W,tell them what's going on, they will pay shipping both ways, and fix it right...first owner or not.

I have seen it done.

 

[TheotherMikeG]

I suspect that's what I'm going to do right after xmas.

 

[Magnumite]

I realize you stated you cleaned and lubed the gun, but did you notice if the ejector rod was loose while cleaning it. The ejector rod unscrewing and debris under the ejector star are common problems.

Since you are saying this happens when you shoot 357's, are you having to push the cartridges in the cylinder to get them to seat. If you do, the 357 cartridge cases may be deformed or improperly sized.

 

[rbernie]

Betcha a box of donuts that you've got carbon rings from firing 38 Specials, and it's hanging up the new rounds/causing them to not seat properly such that they drag on the recoil shield.

Remove the cylinder, take a bronze brush, chuck it up in a drill, and work it thoroughly back-n-forth in each chamber until it's shiny from stem to stern.

 

[Jim K]

Bent extractor rod? Or the extractor rod trying to unscrew itself?

Too little barrel/cylinder gap so that the cylinder rubs on the rear of the barrel?

Just a couple of ideas.

Jim

 

[TheotherMikeG]

I'm guessing bent extractor rod. Its very sticky, even after much manipulation to smooth it out. Any possibility of carbon rings was eliminated by my clean and lube after the 1st range session. No bulges or deformation in the charging holes that I can discern.

Many thanks for the suggestions. I'll contact S&W on Tuesday.