S&W Model 63-4 cylinder won't swing open (FIXED!)

[General Geoff]

So I just pulled out my 63 J-frame .22lr revolver from storage and, while I remember the cylinder unlocking action being pretty stiff, it never failed to open until now. I have to use a pick to push the front spring loaded detent into the barrel lug in order for the cylinder to release and swing out. I also found that it wouldn't close on its own either, requiring me to again push the detent in for the cylinder to close.

I drove the pin out and took out the detent, and carefully hand sanded the surface with 1200 grit sandpaper to smooth it up, and that got it to close on its own again. Still won't open though.

Upon closer inspection and a comparison with another Smith .22 revolver, it appears that the spring loaded rod that's part of the ejector assembly, the one that's supposed to push that detent out of the way when you press the latch button forward, doesn't come all the way flush with the end of the ejector cylinder, even when pushed fully forward. This causes the detent to stay snagged on the ejector where the knurling is.

Is this something I should send out to S&W for repair? Anyone else ever had a similar problem?


edit; RESOLVED! I took it further apart by removing the cylinder from the frame, and when I went to unscrew the extractor from the cylinder, I found it was already quite loose. Spun it down and tightened it, put it back together and the cylinder opens and closes perfectly now.

 

[bannockburn]

General Geoff

I have found on occasion the ejector rod on my wife's Model 34 backing out making it somewhat difficult to get the cylinder to open. I just tighten it back down and everything works fine again.

 

[Hondo 60]

Gen. - glad yours was an easy fix.
I had to send my S&W 58 in for repair.

They did a bang up job, & very fast too.
Gun was gone about a week.

The center pin was peened & the extractor rod was bent.
(probably why the original owner sold it)

 

[MrBorland]

A backed out extractor is fairly common, and the first thing one ought to check out if they start to experience stickiness. Don't over-tighten the threads, though. A little blue Loctite on the threads will help keep the extractor screwed down.

 

[General Geoff]

I just tightened it by hand (no death grip), I'd estimate 30 or 40 inch-lbs. Didn't use loctite on it, but now I know what's happening if the cylinder starts getting hard to open or close. If I have to tighten it again, I'll use a dab of blue loctite. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[eastbank]

100.00 worth of info free, in this post. eastbank.

 

[RA40]

One of the 686's was prone to this with 357 loads. After about 30 rounds the cylinder would not release easily. This back-forth game persisted until I became fed up and put a thread locker on it. None of my others this happens and those are hand tightened.