After loading my 58-1 & closing the cylinder, the thumb piece doesn't return to it's normal position. Which of course locks up the gun.

If I hold the thumb piece in the rearward most position, the gun works as normal, until I try to unload & reload the gun.

Where, again, I have to hold the thumb piece all the way in the rearward position.

I'm not a gunsmith & the thought of removing the side plate & internals scares me, so I won't.

Is there something a non-gunsmith can look at or try?

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John 3:17
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Sounds like the center pin may be trapped in the assembly. Can you check the center pin for free movement?

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Sorry but that's Greek to me.
What is the "center pin"?

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John 3:17
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Open the cylinder. Is the center pin sticking out of the extractor? When you push in on the end of the center pin does it push in and spring back out normally? It's spring loaded. See photo.

Attached Images

IMG_0730.jpg (83.3 KB, 29 views)

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

OK, got it, that's it.

The center pin does move, but it takes some force to do so.
I'm going to scrub it down with Hoppe's & re-oil it.
I hope that fixes it.

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John 3:17
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If you can disassemble the cylinder assy and remove the center pin it's probably "peened" on the front (muzzle) end, where it interfaces with the front locking bolt. The peening on the end of the pin traps it inside the extractor rod.

After removin the pin....look ot the muzzle end (front) end of the center pin with a magnifier. You can use a stone, or a file and carefully remove the sharp edge that is peened over at the end of the pin. The idea is to remove the sharp oversized area at the edge only....do not shorten the pin itself, or change it's original diameter.

Attached Images

IMG_0731.jpg (126.3 KB, 25 views)

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Cleaned and & oiled - that's seems a bit better, but not smooth like it should be.

I took out the crane screw & removed the cylinder from the extractor.
The crane looks like it was broken & someone tried to weld it.
I took some 600 grit paper to it.

Anyway I don't think this is done.
I may be best off trying to get a new crane.

How does one get the center pin out?
I'd like to take it apart & see if cleaning does the job.

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John 3:17
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What you refer to as a crane is actually called the yoke.

The cylinder can be disassembled by unscrewing the extractor rod. The rod is reverse threaded.....so it will have to be turned to the right to loosen. Prior to removal, place empty casings into the cylinder to support the extractor, place the extractor rod in a padded vise, or use the extractor removal tool on the link below to loosen and remove the extractor rod, extractor rod collar, center pin, center pin spring, extractor, and extractor spring.

There are "how to" videos available at Midway, and at other sites on how to disassemble the cyl assy, if you are unfamiliar with the procedure.

EXTRACTOR ROD TOOL FOR S&W | Brownells

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

There are some other possibilities that would explain, or contribute to your malfunction. If the yoke is damaged, the cylinder alignment may be off to the extent that the center pin is not fully/properly entering it's hole in the breechface.
The center pin itself may be damaged or bent. In addition, there could be debris or problems inside the frame.

If you are unfamiliar with the internals, you will have trouble diagnosing the problem correctly. If this is the case, perhaps it would be best to seek help from a qualified gunsmith or contact Customer Service at S&W.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Thank you very much for your help!

I'm waiting on the Extractor Tool from Brownells.

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John 3:17
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I was going to tell you that the "Yoke" is probably sprung and needs to be aligned, which is no job for an amatuer. Then you posted The crane looks like it was broken & someone tried to weld it. If that is what it looks like there is a good chance that, or something similar, has occurred. There is one fix for this and that is send the gun back to S&W to have the yoke replaced. This is a "Factory Only" repair, they will not sell the part as it requires serious fitting by experts. It usually requires re-finishing of the revolver too, so this is not an inexpensive repair. I would estimate around $300 plus shipping both ways, another $100 plus. You can save on shipping by having your LGS ship it for you.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

armorer951 you called it correctly.
The center pin was peened.
I took the peening out, but the extractor still isn't smooth.

I called S&W, the gun is on it's way home to be repaired by the experts.

Thank you armorer951 & Alk8944.
I appreciate you helping a non-gunsmith.

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John 3:17
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Well it was returned to me today.
They replaced the Center Pin, Extractor & Extractor Rod, then test fired it.

It dry functions much better.
Hopefully I can get to the range in the next few days.

Thanks again for the help.

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John 3:17
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