686 sticky cyl when opening

[Maurice H]

I'm trying to correct a small bit of resistance when opening the cylinder on a 686 (nd M, clean as a whistle). It hangs just a little when pushed out on the same two charge holes while the other four are fine. I make sure the release is fully pushed forward but the resistance persists in that first millimetre or two of travel. The recoil shield doesn't have any scratches indicative of teeth dragging. Puzzling. The rod appears straight.

I suspect a couple teeth on the ratchet may be the problem but am not seeing anything obvious...but it's probably there. The cyl turns just fine when firing. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.

[armorer951]

Could be excessive endshake, dirt and shooting debris under the extractor, or in the cylinder assembly, the centerpin could be too short and not reaching the end of the extractor rod when fully depressed by the bolt, extractor rod too long or loose, improperly fit or worn front locking lug, wrong screw used as the yoke retention screw......and the list goes on.

In case these issues are absent and ruled out, the likely cause is interference at the interface between the front of the extractor rod and the front locking bolt. If this is the case, you can easily shorten the OAL of the extractor rod in the cylinder assembly a bit by simply simply shortening the extractor rod collar. This will shorten the length of the assembled extractor rod without removing material from the rod itself, and remove the interference you are encountering.
Remove the required amount of the material (.002" - .004") from the front or back of the extr. rod collar using an India stone or a piece of wet/dry paper that is laying on a flat surface. Be sure to preserve the "collar" portion of the part, and keep the ends flat and at 90°.

The ratchets would not (cannot) rub on the breechface at the beginning of the opening phase on the cylinder, as they are about .010" -.012" below the boss at the center of the extractor.

[sndbggr1484]

Check to see if the extractor rod is tight.

[Maurice H]

Originally Posted by armorer951

...improperly fit or worn front locking lug...and the list goes on.

I hope they pay you well. Yep, there was a little high point on the very tip of the ejector rod that was hanging on the front locking bolt. A light kiss from the file set it straight. Mucho gracias, amigo!

[MrMoose]

Can you share a picture of the area in question please? Thanks...

[armorer951]

Here is a image of the front locking bolt. I sometimes install ball detents in the yoke of my revolvers to eliminate this troublesome interface completely.

[Maurice H]

Here you go. I left the cyl open so you can see the front locking bolt, the dark piece with the bevel that fits into the tip of the ejector rod.
15925031718605397616833490923936.jpg