Sticky cylinder release latch

[palmettosunshine]

Hello everyone, I'm unearthing an ancient thread that helped me fix my issue. My Model 65-3 had a cylinder release that would stick and make it very difficult to open the cylinder.

This thread helped me find and fix the problem.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-103845.html


Original post -

Does anyone here know how to dismantle a Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver to get to the cylinder release mechanism? Mine has suddenly gotten very sticky when the cylinder is closed and would like to avoid taking it to a gunsmith if possible. I already put oil under the cylinder release button but it didn't help any.

Final answer (or just read the old post) -

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

But it didn't have anything to do with unburned powder under the extractor star. I checked that and cleaned it and it didn't improve it. Instead, it didn't even involve the cylinder at all! It was with that little piece under the barrel that is directly in front of the ejector rod when the cylinder is closed. It has a little rod in it that springs in and out when the cylinder latch is pressed and the cylinder is closed. I don't know what purpose it serves and didn't even see that little rod before! Didn't even know it was there! I wiped it off with a tissue and a little dirt came off of it. Now the cylinder latch isn't sticky anymore. I feel like a free man again!

Thank you 1911Tuner and the rest of you guys! I would have been lost without your help!

This site is such a great resource.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It was with that little piece under the barrel that is directly in front of the ejector rod when the cylinder is closed. It has a little rod in it that springs in and out when the cylinder latch is pressed and the cylinder is closed. I don't know what purpose it serves and didn't even see that little rod before! Didn't even know it was there!

That is the forward latch for the ejector rod.

It is meant to retain the front of the cylinder and align it in the frame

 

[Hammerdown77]

Another problem I've found that can cause a sticky cylinder latch is a peened/mushroomed extractor rod center pin. This is the spring loaded pin that the cylinder latch depresses in the center of the extractor star when you push it forward. That pin can get peened on the ends and make it stick inside the extractor rod body. Remove the pin and work the edges of the peened end(s) with a very fine file, or some sandpaper, and that will usually get it moving freely again.
My model 29-3 had this problem, and I think the new to me model 57 I just picked up might have the beginnings of it as well.