The cylinder is sticking on my S&W 640 is this ok?

[megatronrules]

The cylinder on s&w 640 is sticking but only when I try to open it,I have to push hard to open it not extremely hard but I have ti give it a good push. That being said the gun operates and shoots fine despite this. Its an older model gun in stainless steel and has never given me any trouble what could be causing this any ideas? has anyone here had this happen to thair revolvers at all?

 

[JoeHatley]

Check the easy stuff 1st. Make sure your ejector rod isn't unscrewing it's self.

Should be left hand threads on your 640.

Check back if that isn't it, and we'll dig deeper.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[JohnK]

I would say "no, it's not Ok". The cylinder should open easily, if it's not something is out of spec. Have you checked to see if the ejector rod has come loose? That sometimes happens on revolvers and if it is loose it can cause problems like you're describing (and worse). It has a reverse thread, so you'll have to turn it the opposite direction you normally would to tighten it.

 

[Coronach]

1. Its not normal. Check with the gunsmithing section for a more intelligent evaluation.

2. Is the cylinder unscrewing from the ejector rod? My model 15 did that right after I got it. It caused exactly the symptoms you're describing. Its a 10 second fix, if thats it.

Mike

 

[megatronrules]

Thanks guys I checked it just now and tightened the ejector rod by turning the opposite way like you said,and it fine now the cylinder opend easily just like when I first got it thanks guys.

 

[JCM298]

Ejector rod

On one Smith I had, it was necessary ro use a drop of blue Loctite on the threads because it would work loose. Nail polish, teflon plumbers tape, and super glue are other ways to keep it tight.

If you use Loctite, make sure that it's blue, not red,

John

 

[4v50 Gary]

Remove the cylinder. (it's the foremost screw on the sideplate).
insert three spent cases into the star extractor.
place ejector rod in padded vise (leather or brass).
Rotate cylinder to tighten down the ejector rod.
skip the locktite.
Reinstall cylinder.

 

[JCM298]

4v50 Gary,

Just cuious. Why not use the Locktite? On one Smith, that was the only way that I could keep the thing from un-screwing,

John

 

[Standing Wolf]

Lock Tite works just fine, but I would be sure to use the removable kind: you may need to repair or replace parts in the cylinder assembly twenty years from now.

 

[Jim K]

A common trick in "the old days" was to put on a drop of acid and let the rod rust in place. Of course we thought S&W fixed the problem for good with left hand threads. So did S&W.

Jim

 

[stans]

My 640 does the same thing, I think the recoil from firing magnum loads in these little revolvers tends to loosen the ejector rod much faster than in the larger 357's. I put a drop of blue Locktite on the rod threads. I definitely would not want the rod to loosen during a "serious" situation.