4th(?) Model .32 Short DA Project Gun

RidingShotgun · #1 06-05-2018, 03:55 PM

Hey there,

A good friend that works for the LGS gifted me this .32 top break. I am not super familiar with them, but owned a lemon squeezer and have been reading more on the subject lately.

The reason it is a project is due to a few issues which he didn't have the time or interest to tackle, both of which I have in spades.

Issue one: Hammer will not lock back. It will go to the full cocked position and turn to the next chamber, but fails to lock back or fully engage the trigger.

Issue two: This may be a related problem, but the cylinder rotates freely counterclockwise, and seems to only lock in place after slowly spinning it by hand til you find a groove.

If someone wiser than me could lend any advise, or just tell me more about it, I'd be much obliged. Thanks.

glowe · #2 06-05-2018, 04:53 PM

A few things to help you out with descriptions of various models and calibers. First, your revolver is called a 32 Double Action, 4th Model, shipped around 1893 and is considered an antique by the BATF. Second, it is chambered simply in 32 S&W (not short) and is still available from major ammunition manufacturers. Before you consider shooting the gun, it has to be repaired and brought up to a safe shooting condition. Sounds like the sear or hammer has worn or was monkeyed with and that is a dangerous condition. It is a all to common problem with 32 DAs. Replacement hammer and/or sear could solve the push off problem with the hammer, or honing might be an option.

The hand which appears in a slot in the recoil shield and/or the cylinder stop which appears in the frame under the cylinder are not properly functioning either. With the revolver broken open, slowly pull the trigger. The hand should appear in the slot and has some spring tension. If you push it back, it will return if the spring is good. The cylinder stop is also assisted by a spring and when the trigger is at rest should should show above the frame. Again, push it down and see if it returns to check that the spring is functioning. As you pull the trigger, the stop should disappear and as the gun comes to full cock, it will show again as it should engage the cylinder and lock it in place. These are only a starting points, but check these things out first before moving on to another cause of the gun not working.

Third, many collectors do not like S&W Safety revolver referred to as Lemon Squeezers, since the term seems to bring to mind cheaply made competitors to S&W, so 32 Safety or 32 Safety Hammerless are more formal names for these revolvers.

Good luck with your gun and you might send a private message to tlay, who has graciously helped many members with these little revolvers.

gmborkovic · #3 06-05-2018, 05:17 PM

Soak that poor ole gal in some 50/50. She is all gummed up with crud.
Dont go stripping the gun yet, just the grips, take them off.

merl67 · #4 06-05-2018, 06:09 PM

Issue number one is a common problem with this particular model I have one that to the eye all the parts look fine, but it will not operate in single action at all, others have had similar issues, but not much luck getting theirs to work properly either. I have another that works great.

mmaher94087 · #5 06-05-2018, 11:21 PM

Issue #1: aside from an accumulation of crud in the mechanism; I suspect that the "Rear Sear" is bad and/or the notch in the hammer. This sear and the hammer notch are what make the single action work on these DA's.

Issue #2 may be related to the trigger/hammer as the photo shows that these pins have been removed and replaced. I will speculate that the hammer sear notch has been filed which messes with the function and timing of the revolver.

RidingShotgun · #6 06-06-2018, 07:31 AM

Thanks for the information Gary.

A friend and I will go through the steps you mentioned and see if we can narrow down what is going on. I'll shoot a line to tlay if it is giving us trouble, and keep you posted if I learn any more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

A few things to help you out with descriptions of various models and calibers. First, your revolver is called a 32 Double Action, 4th Model, shipped around 1893 and is considered an antique by the BATF. Second, it is chambered simply in 32 S&W (not short) and is still available from major ammunition manufacturers. Before you consider shooting the gun, it has to be repaired and brought up to a safe shooting condition. Sounds like the sear or hammer has worn or was monkeyed with and that is a dangerous condition. It is a all to common problem with 32 DAs. Replacement hammer and/or sear could solve the push off problem with the hammer, or honing might be an option.

The hand which appears in a slot in the recoil shield and/or the cylinder stop which appears in the frame under the cylinder are not properly functioning either. With the revolver broken open, slowly pull the trigger. The hand should appear in the slot and has some spring tension. If you push it back, it will return if the spring is good. The cylinder stop is also assisted by a spring and when the trigger is at rest should should show above the frame. Again, push it down and see if it returns to check that the spring is functioning. As you pull the trigger, the stop should disappear and as the gun comes to full cock, it will show again as it should engage the cylinder and lock it in place. These are only a starting points, but check these things out first before moving on to another cause of the gun not working.

Third, many collectors do not like S&W Safety revolver referred to as Lemon Squeezers, since the term seems to bring to mind cheaply made competitors to S&W, so 32 Safety or 32 Safety Hammerless are more formal names for these revolvers.

Good luck with your gun and you might send a private message to tlay, who has graciously helped many members with these little revolvers.