Hello,

I am new to this forum and I need some help with my pistol.

I inherited this pistol and have just started cleaning it up and I need some help with the dis-assembly of the cylinder. I know some about these pistols, such as how to get the cylinder and yoke off, etc. Plus, I have a modern style S&W pistols and I know how to take the cylinder apart to clean it and remove the extractor rod, center pin, internal springs, etc.

However, I am not sure how to do it with this pistol. This forum identified my pistol as a .32 Hand Ejector, Model of 1903, Fifth Change made between 1910-1917. However, someone else said that it was Model 31, but the assembly drawings I found for a Model 31 do not match my pistol.

In either case, I need help in knowing how to dis-assemble the ejector rod from the cylinder. It is gummy and sticking and I need to clean it.

Attached is an image of my gun. Does anyone have a diagram or can describe to me how it comes apart. I know the end of the Extractor rod unscrews (the end where it connects to the locking bolt on the barrel) but that is as far as I can get it and I do not want to force anything or scratch anything.

Thank you.

Attached Images

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Model 31 is the name given to this model after 1957. Your gun is not a Model 31 and whoever said it was, was in error. It's a .32 Hand Ejector Model 0f 1903. The ejector unscrews to the left from the locking rod.It may need to be soaked in WD-40 or a good penetrating oil first. Put a couple of fired cases in the cylinder to absorb stress on the extractor when you apply pressure to the ejector. Use pliers with padded jaws to turn the ejector and you may have to place the cylinder in a vice to hold it. Good luck, Ed #15

Call me dumb, but "unscrews to the left from the locking rod" is confusing, to me.

Open the cylinder. Point the muzzle at your face, so you are looking at the front of the cylinder. Grab the acorn. Does it turn counter-clockwise (like unscrewing just about everything else in the world) or clockwise (reverse thread)? I know that, at one time, Smiths were threaded one way, and then they switched and now go the other way, but I don't remember which way is the new way and which is the old way, and I don't know when they switched directions.

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I always take precautions

Thank you for the response so far.

If I take my pistol and open the cylinder, with the end of the barrel pointing at me, the acorn on the extractor rod unscrews counter clockwise.

This comes off easily. The part I do not understand is, does the extractor rod unscrew (and comes apart) inside the cylinder and is this how it comes apart?

If so, which way does the extractor rod unscrew?

I like the idea of putting spent shells in the cylinder to take pressure off of the extractor rod.

Thank you.

Hey, I got it.

With the cylinder open and the barrel pointing at me, the extractor rod unscrews counter clockwise.

Mine was just very gummy and it took some extra effort.

Thank you.

snaanich2010; If your revolver is a 1903, there are no changes, it will be in 32 Winchester Ctg. [a,k.a 32-20 or 32WCF], it will be a large frame size than the 32hand ejector in 32 S&W long. It will have almost all flat springs, so be careful. Ivan