The cylinder latch won't work on 638. The ejector rod is tight; it's the latch

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noli illegitimi carborundum

If the hammer is even slightly back too far it blocks the cyl thumbpiece.

I've seen them lock up with crud or if someone sprayed it with WD-40 that has now dried to a shellac like it does. Soak with penetrating oil/cleaner.

I would pull the sideplate to diagnose the problem.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Could be anything from a loosened ejector rod to a bent bolt. Without the revolver in front of me these are only guesses.....

That happened on one of my 629's. Latch would stick, but eventually I could get it open. Close it, and it would do it again. With the cylinder open, the latch would work fine. Spring loaded center pin moved freely, Ejector rod was straight and tight. Tried removing the thumb latch and dripping in a little Rem Oil. No difference.

Then I tried moving the spring loaded locking pin in the ejector housing that locks into the ejector rod tip. Yep, it was sticking. A couple drops of Rem Oil, and now it opens fine.

Larry

Soaked ejector and latch with Kroil for a day; fired the 5 rounds of +p that were in it and the latch loosened up. I think there was some kind of crud in the ejector rod. Thanks guys.

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noli illegitimi carborundum

I'd remove the Cylinder and make sure the EJ is not loose!

Didn't remove the cylinder from the yoke; but I did make sure the ejector rod was tight while the cylinder was swung out.

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noli illegitimi carborundum

Sounds like disassembly a good cleaning and re-lube is in order.