Revolver locking up

[38snapcaps]

I just bought a 1982 S&W Model 10 revolver. The very faint turn line indicates it has been fired very little. So, I believe it is completely original inside and out.

I removed the grips so I could spray CLP up into the mechanism to flush out any gunk and get it oiled. I inserted snapcaps and began cycling the gun in double action, turning the gun around and around to circulate the oil.

I turned the gun upside down to cause the oil to flow into the top areas. Suddenly everything locked up!! I couldn't pull the trigger, cock the hammer, or turn the cylinder. As I wiggled things the action returned to normal. This happened twice. The next day everything functioned perfect, even when I tried to duplicate what happened before. Today it still feels and operates normally.

Can anyone tell me what happened? Do I need to be concerned?

 

[spm]

I removed the grips so I could spray CLP up into the mechanism to flush out any gunk and get it oiled. I inserted snapcaps and began cycling the gun in double action, turning the gun around and around to circulate the oil.

I turned the gun upside down to cause the oil to flow into the top areas. Suddenly everything locked up!! I couldn't pull the trigger, cock the hammer, or turn the cylinder. As I wiggled things the action returned to normal. This happened twice. The next day everything functioned perfect, even when I tried to duplicate what happened before. Today it still feels and operates normally.

Can anyone tell me what happened? Do I need to be concerned?

Maybe too much oil? You don't need to completely coat the innards. I have always oiled sparingly in my revolvers.

I'm sure you will get more answers soon. I certainly don't claim to know everything.

Best of luck,
spm

 

[moxie]

Make sure the ejector rod is screwed in tight.

It might need to be taken apart, cleaned/lubed, and reassembled if it won't tighten..

 

[rcmodel]

You can't oil a revolver too much and make it lock up.
Upside down had nothing to do with anything either.

I would guess what happened was the 1982 gun had old dried grease & oil inside it.

And the new oil loosened & dissolved it.

You probably just flushed loose a piece of crud and it stuck to something that shouldn't be stuck to.

You also need to apply a drop of light oil to the ejector rod center pin on both then, as well as the front locking bolt in the barrel lug under the barrel, and insure they are all operating freely.

They all work in concert to push back the thumb cylinder latch bolt all the way so it can clear the hammer.

If it doesn't, the gun will not cycle, no matter what you do.

rc.

 

[David E]

RC is probably correct. It probably hadn't been oiled or used for decades and the last oiling dried up into hard chunks.

If you're familiar and comfortable with disassembly, that'd be a good idea. Or pay a gunsmith to do it. Where there was one chunk, there may be more. Best to clear them all out, if only for peace of mind.

 

[Balrog]

Good advice.

I have had revolvers lock up for 2 reasons:
1. Bent crane
2. Loose ejector rod.

 

[MartinS]

Try it without the snapcaps. If it works get other snapcaps.

 

[Jaymo]

If there's dried gunk in there, and you're not comfortable pulling the sideplate, and you don't want to take it to a smith just yet, there is something else you can try.
Buy a can of carburetor cleaner and a can of brake cleaner.
Hose down the innards and let it soak for a few minutes.
Repeat.
Repeat, until you are out of carb cleaner.
Hose down the innards with a can of brake cleaner.
Then, hose down the innards with a can of Break Free.
Let it sit.
Try the action again. See if it still occurs.
If not, hang the gun up, or stand it up to allow the excess lube to run out onto a rag.

Carburetor cleaner will loosen gummed up lube and carbon deposits better than brake cleaner.
Brake cleaner will degrease it after the gunk is out, and allow the lube to adhere better.
The lube, obviously, lubes the action.

I'm wondering if the sideplate has been off at some time and the hammer block installed incorrectly.

 

[rcmodel]

I don't think there is a way to install the hammer block incorrectly.

It either fits in the side-plate slot in the right place, or it doesn't.

If it doesn't, you can't put the side-plate back on.

rc