K-22 1st Model Help Please

tatume · #1 09-26-2020, 02:46 PM

Hello Folks,

The K-22 Outdoorsman (SN 659449) I recently acquired hangs up during the DA trigger pull or SA cock. If the cylinder is removed and the cylinder release is held back to permit cycling the action, the bind disappears. Examination of the cylinder ratchet reveals apparent wear, and one ratchet in particular is worse than the others (chipped?). This one binds almost every time. I'm guessing, and I am not a gunsmith so guessing is exactly what I'm doing, that replacement of the cylinder is my only recourse. I've been looking and so far have been unable to find one.

Can you tell me a good place to look, other than eBay and Gunbroker (where I've been unsuccessful)?

Can you direct me to a gunsmith who would likely be able to fix my revolver for me?

Thanks, Tom

andy52 · #2 09-26-2020, 02:55 PM

If you could provide us with a photo of the extractor it would help with figuring out what needs to be done.
The cylinder isn't what rotates the action the extractor is what does that along with the hand.

Wiregrassguy · #3 09-26-2020, 03:00 PM

You don't need to replace the cylinder. If the ratchet teeth can't be peened, you can replace the star. It will need to be fitted.

DWalt · #4 09-26-2020, 03:58 PM

If the ratchet can't be fixed (and it probably can), then extractor star replacement is the way to go. Unfortunately, you will probably need to have it fitted as they are usually not drop-in replacements. But it shouldn't be too difficult to find a replacement extractor from that period. Might be possible to replace the entire cylinder assembly as a last resort.

handejector · #5 09-26-2020, 04:14 PM

Lots of stuff to check first-
Is the ejector rod tight?
Is the ejector rod straight?
Is the front of the cyl rubbing the barrel?
Does the cylinder spin freely on the yoke when it is open?
Also needs to be checked for a bent yoke.

tatume · #6 09-26-2020, 04:30 PM

I'll try to take a quality photo tomorrow under natural light. It's dark and rainy right now.

The ejector rod is tight and has no visible run-out. If the hammer is slightly retracted so the bolt drops, the cylinder turn easily without rubbing anywhere. The cylinder spins freely on the yoke when it is open. The closure line of the yoke and frame is tight and uniform, nearly invisible, making me believe the yoke is not bent.

Thanks for pointing out that it is the extractor star and not the cylinder that contains the ratchet. That was a dummy mistake on my part. Are any of the gunsmiths here willing to take on the job of fitting a new star, if the photograph supports that decision?

Thanks, Tom

Wiregrassguy · #7 09-26-2020, 04:51 PM

Tom it certainly sounds like you know a little bit about what you're doing. Bob Cogan at APWCogan.com can fit the hand to the ratchet. However, you might be able to save some bucks by buying kuhnhausen's book that goes into how to work on these guns. That is if you feel comfortable doing Tool Work.

Guy

andy52 · #8 09-26-2020, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tatume

I'll try to take a quality photo tomorrow under natural light. It's dark and rainy right now.

The ejector rod is tight and has no visible run-out. If the hammer is slightly retracted so the bolt drops, the cylinder turn easily without rubbing anywhere. The cylinder spins freely on the yoke when it is open. The closure line of the yoke and frame is tight and uniform, nearly invisible, making me believe the yoke is not bent.

Thanks for pointing out that it is the extractor star and not the cylinder that contains the ratchet. That was a dummy mistake on my part. Are any of the gunsmiths here willing to take on the job of fitting a new star, if the photograph supports that decision?

Thanks, Tom

I probably could fit it but I think I'll pass if you don't mind. I will however send you a brand new exactor if that is determined to be the problem at no cost.

handejector · #9 09-26-2020, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tatume

The closure line of the yoke and frame is tight and uniform, nearly invisible, making me believe the yoke is not bent.

Unfortunately, that will not tell you if a yoke is misaligned. It takes a "yoke alignment tool", but that is not likely the cause of your problem.

I forgot to mention that a worn DA sear can cause a noticeable glitch in DA by causing the trigger to bind at the DA takeover. If someone has installed a new trigger or hammer, it could bind in both DA and SA cocking.
I do not believe the ratchet is your problem. When ratchets wear, a gun goes out of time. It does not cause binding when cocking DA or SA. Think about it- the wear provides more room between the hand and ratchet teeth, so what would be binding?

Nightowl · #10 09-27-2020, 10:00 AM

If the catch point is very early on when cocking the gun, it could be the cylinder stop is not retracting soon enough to release the cylinder from turning. A new cylinder stop would probably be the cure, unless the nose of the trigger has been polished too much, then a new trigger is in order. You can check this by holding the gun sideways and visually checking to see if the stop fully releases the stop notch.

tatume · #11 09-27-2020, 11:12 AM

This photo shows one tooth of the ratchet with what appears to be a chip misisng. It is the tooth at the lower right, and is associated with the chamber that binds. I believe that the hand rides up on the inclined plane of the chipped tooth, jamming the action. If I stop, and with my left hand manually rotate the cylinder, it rolls into position and I can finish the SA cock.

Wiregrassguy · #12 09-27-2020, 05:03 PM

I don't know if that gouge can be fixed with a microweld or not. You are not likely to be able to peen it out. Your best bet might be to get a replacement from Numrich, gunbroker, gunsamerica or eBay.