S&W Trigger problem

[QuickDraw]

I recently bought a used S&W model 66(-2 I think) .357,2.5 inch
barrel.It was working fine for about 3 trips to the range.
Now,after loading cylinders and closing,go to fire DA.The
hammer goes back approx. half way and won't go further,feels
like something jammed inside.Open cylinder,check ammo
seating,close.It feels like the cylinder needs to be rocked
back and forth a little to "click".After that,works fine till
next reload.This is new (to me anyway).Kind of disconcerting
as I was hoping to use this as home defense weapon.
After the first time,I took off the side plate and looked inside.
Nothing looked bent,broken,out of place.
Anyway,just thought I'd see if any of you folks have had similar
problems.
Thanks

QuickDraw

Edited to add:
See update below

 

[dfariswheel]

I think the key here is the "works until the next reload".
This sounds like a problem with the hand/ejector. The hand is the part that actually pushes the cylinder around to the next chamber.

If the hand, or the ejector is burred, worn, or otherwise defective, the hand may be binding. This would give the "hammer comes back halfway" symptom, and why "jiggling" the cylinder may get things back into alignment until the cylinder is opened again.

Take a look at the rear of the ejector with a magnifying glass. Look for burrs, worn, chipped, broken, or deformed lugs on the ratchet portion.

With the cylinder open, and the latch pulled back, cock the hammer and take a look at the top of the hand inside the frame.

Gently close the cylinder, and check if the cylinder latch snaps forward, then try to cock it.

Next, remove the side plate again, and cock the gun, watching the parts to see if anything looks like it's binding. Especially watch the hand and the rebound slide below the hammer.

Unless there's some hard foreign matter inside that's jamming the action, this is about all I can think of right now.

 

[QuickDraw]

Thanks for the reply.I was just looking at it a little while ago.
In the morning I will give it a close going over.

QuickDraw

 

[P95Carry]

Might be totally superfluous to mention but .. also check for unburned powder flakes under the ejector star ..... may be irrelevant but . at times this can cause some probs.

 

[QuickDraw]

S&W Trigger Update

After thorough inspection and cleaning I took another trip to
the range.In the past,the ammo that I used were reloads
from the range.This seems to be the common denominator
as this trip I used some reloads I bought yesterday at a
local gunshow.150 rounds.Results:flawless operation.In the past
I used factory new ammo without a hitch.This all started when I
started using the reloads from the range.
Conclusion:lousy reloads.I think that as was stated by someone
else,powder residue was building up in the ejector/hand area.
Being new to the reloading arena,are some powders"dirtier"
than others?I guess whomever the range gets their reloads
from,seems be using cheap/dirty powder.Comments?
Thanks for all the input.

QuickDraw

 

[P95Carry]

Powders do vary in ''cleanness'' yeah but doubt this is a major cause of trouble ....... except for unburned flakes getting under the star .. which sets case heads back a bit.

I reckon your prob with the ''shoddy'' reloads is simply - high primers ...... if primer not seated to be level with or a tad under the base then this is a typical symptom ... shoulda seen that earlier but didn't!!

On most Smiths .. on my Mod 27 anyways . the approx 1/4" insert thru which firing pin comes, is a thou or so proud of the rest of the recoil shield .. as soon as edge of a high primer contacts this ... things get sticky!!

Seems like your gun is A OK.

 

[QuickDraw]

P95CARRY,
You are right.The slightest forward pressure on the cylinder is enogh to recreate the exact problem,hence,high primers.
Thanks for yours and everybodies help!


QuickDraw