Model 66-2 Problems

[steveoMAg45]

Just bought a 66-2 at a gun show. Worked the action and looked it over. Looked great and it came with holster and two grip sets. I got exited over it and overlooked the slight barrel cant, but I still shot it. First range day I shot about 50rds 38 special and 50rds 357. I shot terrible that day, kept shooting left. Maybe it was me. The revolver shot fine, action felt great. I'm not used to shooting revolvers regularly. I wanted to really test this 66 but not abuse it. Second range day 50rds 38, 50rds 357. Also took my Colt .45 ~ shot great with that. Still shot left with the 66. I adjusted the sight just about hard right. Finally got some good groups centered then the action started binding. I can work the action, double or single for a few shots and then its really hard to pull back the hammer or pull the trigger in double action. I have a model 19-5 and a 586 no dash and they shoot flawless. Any thoughts/advice. Hate to think a bought a dud.

[pmosley]

Sounds like the ejector rod may be working loose on you

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[R*E]

Don’t force if it’s binding. It possible the you’ve got debris under the extractor or crud building up in the b/c gap. Doesn’t sound like you had issues with .357 or I would have suggested scrubbing the cyclinders because the rounds weren’t seating.

[steveoMAg45]

This is the first 357 I've shot over and over. My mod 19-5 and 586 lay in the safe and I may shoot 50 rds at times. I wanted to work this 66. So far 200+ rds w/ out cleaning. The ejector was getting tight as I kept shooting, then the action bound up. After getting it home and the gun cooled off it was till binding as I worked the action manually. I keep comparing the 66 to my model 19 and nearly mint cond 586. The ejectors are functioning the same and they all have the same play. I let the 66 soak in ballistol. Cleaned it and just worked the ejector, kept playing with it. Did not take any thing apart. Revolver is working normally now, no binding.

[99bob]

Originally Posted by steveoMAg45

This is the first 357 I've shot over and over. My mod 19-5 and 586 lay in the safe and I may shoot 50 rds at times. I wanted to work this 66. So far 200+ rds w/ out cleaning. The ejector was getting tight as I kept shooting, then the action bound up. After getting it home and the gun cooled off it was till binding as I worked the action manually. I keep comparing the 66 to my model 19 and nearly mint cond 586. The ejectors are functioning the same and they all have the same play. I let the 66 soak in ballistol. Cleaned it and just worked the ejector, kept playing with it. Did not take any thing apart. Revolver is working normally now, no binding.

I would detail clean it. If you are are comfortable in doing so, If not I'm sure a local creditable gun smith would be willing to do it. Some of these guns have never been detailed cleaned. It's amazing what one finds when taking one apart. Don't you tube it. I've seen straight up scary stuff on there. One guy was slathering metal polish all over his revolver and working the action. Telling people how easy it was to shine them up. It was like watching a trainwreck in slow motion. I could hear the cylinder stop, the hand, and the ejector/ratchet all crying in agony. So many voices, crying at once......oh the pain.

[RGVshooter]

Possible but a loose ejector rod would be more noticeable when opening/closing the cylinder. Along with carbon buildup or dirt under the extractor star.

The most common reason a revolver would bind during shooting is the primer backing out. Either a spent primer or one that hasn't been fired yet. That happens to me on occasion whenever I use Monarch brand 38 specials. And yes, it could have been the ammo. I've had a few boxes where maybe 1 out of 8 the spent primers would back out jamming the gun. Can't cock the hammer back, why? because a primer backed out. If the cylinder can't turn then you can't cock the hammer back. Same with shooting double action. Give the gun a good cleaning any try different ammo. Next time at the range try a process of elimination if it occurs again. As soon as it happens, eject the rounds and look at the primers. Look at the inside of the recoil shield for scrape marks.. That is my guess at least.

As far as shooting to the left with a new gun and admitting that you're not a revolver guy.. Trigger control pal.. learn it, love it. master it.

[F75gunslinger]

I would say bring a lead away cloth and clean the front of the cylinder once in awhile. If it is clean and working properly now try it again but clean between range sessions. I also think that a detail clean wouldn't hurt, but that is only if you are comfortable taking the gun apart. Also in case nobody mentioned, the ejector rod can work loose, and it is left hand threaded. Just grab it with your fingers and see if you can turn it. Let us know what you find out.

[steveoMAg45]

After cleaning, its functioning well. I noticed a lot of debris - chunks under the star. The ejector feels fine and I'm comparing it to my 19 and 586. They all feel and work the same. I think because I kept shooting it without cleaning it may have caused the binding. I shot reloads, factory lead 38s and full house 357s. about 280 rounds. I've cleaned it as best as I could. Burn rings on the front of the cylinder are hard to clean. Anyway very nice advice from everyone. I do shoot a .45 Colt and a glock 22 regularly and I shoot well with the autos and clean them regularly. I'm not new to revolvers but this is a different experience since I kept dumping ammo through it. The mod 19-5 is my dads and he bought it in the 80s and only shot 38 specials but it has been shot a lot, and I have shot magnums in it. My mod 586 is nearly mint and I shot about 100 rounds through it. Top to bottom 66, 586, 19.