I have a model 19-3 Smith & Wesson 357 and today I went to the range and was going to shoot some Remington 125 gr 357s. I managed to get about 39 rounds shot out of my planned 100, the thing became very hard to shoot and the cylinder progressively became tougher to rotate as I shot more. I finally stopped but the trigger was locking and the cylinder was very hard to open unlike it was when I started today shooting. The RSO there said to go inside the gun and really clean it out. Would 39 rounds of this ammo cause this? The bullets had no trouble going in the cylinder or ejecting, did have trouble on Tuesday with some blazer 158gr sticking inside. Any help? Thanks, James
new problem with gun
- Thread starter Jamesmb
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1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Clean under the ejector star and check to see if the ejector rod has unscrewed.
ninja45
Member
Sometimes, your ammo could be "dirty" and some unburned powder is finding its way inside your "ejector star" (the thing you push out when you eject your spent cases). This binds your cylinder from rotating and prevents your revolver from shooting.
Always carry an old toothbrush (or a nylon cleaning brush) to remove unburned powder from that often neglected area.
Ninja45
Always carry an old toothbrush (or a nylon cleaning brush) to remove unburned powder from that often neglected area.
Ninja45
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ZeSpectre
Member
If you had a really tight clearance on the forcing cone, and really dirty ammo, this can also happen (has happened to me in the past).
Well I cleaned the ejector star and that seemed pretty clean and did not make a difference. I took the grip off and the plate but was not that dirty but clean a bit in there, no difference. I put oil in area trigger and on the inside, might have helped a little. Finally took to a Gander Mountain gunsmith see what he can do with it. I will not being shooting those 125gr again in this gun.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Maybe a sprung yoke. Close the cylinder and look at the front where the crane meets the frame. If there's a noticeable gap...that could be it.
Did you double check your ejector rod? Sounds like it's backing out. A 19-3 would have left hand threads.
Also, measure your barrel to cylinder gap. Might be a bit too tight for the ammo you are shooting. An endshake bearing or two should fix it up.
Good Luck...
Joe
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I agree it is most likely a loose ejector rod.
rcmodel
rcmodel
Gander Mountain said they wont know till next week sometime. The gunsmith is closed there on Sunday and Monday. It could be, because last Tuesday I was having to bang the ejector rod to get the blazer mags out, after I fired em there was no way to push by hand the rod to eject the used cartridges. But after I cleaned it at home that day, with the hammer slightly back it seemed to turn just fine.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well, O.K. that is another clue.
If you were beating on the ejector rod to get the Blazers out, you may have bent the ejector rod, or the ejector star, which would also affect cylinder rotation as you described.
In general, if you have a cylinder full of empties that defy ejection as a group, you should probably use a rod and push them out one at a time.
And then stop shooting that ammo in that gun!
Usually, when a S&W ejector rod comes unscrewed, you just can't get the cylinder latch to release so you can open the cylinder.
By the time it has unscrewed enough to effect cylinder rotation, you couldn't get the cylinder open to even try to eject stuck brass.
rcmodel
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