My model 59 has had some serious jamming problems. does anybody have any ideas how to fix this?

Could you describe the jamming problem a bit more thoroughly? Is a round feeding onto a spent casing? Is the spent casing ejecting, but the next round tries to go in sideways? Etc...

The spent casing ejects, but the next round hangs up on the ramp. a slight tap on the rear of the slide completes the cycle. I've had the ramp polished, i changed the slide spring, changed the mag springs, and finally purchased a new mag, none of this worked. problem came on suddenly halfway through a couple boxes of PMC Bronze at the range. I was advised th try +P ammo, bought some Hornaday and still have the problem. i'n not sure what to try next. Until this the 59 was my favorite piece to carry/shoot.

This sure sounds like a combination of a weak magazine spring and weak recoil spring, but since both have been changed, I'm a bit stumped. Have you tried the older recoil spring with the newer magazine spring?

Best,

Heekma

Does it do this with any other ammunition??? So far, two brands seem to hang. See if it will run some plain ol' FMJ.

Also, is there any build-up in the breech and barrel that might be squeezing down on the casings just a bit? Perhaps a bit of scrubbing with a brass brush is needed...

The early 39/59s had a rep for being real finicky about ammo , especially hollow points. If your mags are good quality and not damaged , try some plain FMJ. If they run thru fine , ya just have to try different brands/bullets till ya find something that works reliably.

I tried several brands of ammo, the hornaday+P was actually the only hollow point in the bunch, i tried the old recoil spring with a new mag this afternoon, the problem was actually worse. After, I stripped and cleaned it, put it back together dry with the new spring I got off 6 whole shots before it jammed again. The guy next to me suggested sending it back to S&W, being an obsolete model I have trouble believing they would be able to help.

oh yea, a few weeks ago I ran a 10mm brush in the chamber with a low speed drill with some powder solvent to remove any possible build up, didn't look or shoot different though.

Why are you trying to make it run dry?

A little lube might get the slide velocity back that it needs to chamber the rounds.

Recoil spring installed backwards forcing tighter end to slide?

Good Luck

Guy a range suggested dry just to see if I was overoiling and gumming it up. you know, I never thought it may be a progressive spring thing, I hope to find time to try that tomorrow, definately no time to go to range, back woods however...Thanks for that thought.

It could be the feed lips in the magazine. I love my Model 39,but the few ones I own have had the extractors replaced. They tend to wear out eventually. Also, I have found that it is best to stay away from after-market mags.Some work,and some don't..

I had a student last summer that had the same thing happen on a 5903. I loaned him my own 5903 until lunch break. We took his down and there was absolutely NO lube anywhere to be found. Put some Mobil 1 on it, cycled it manually and the problem was gone.
Can only surmise that with the slide be totally dry it was not cycling freely.
Might help yours out as well.
Randy

Condsidering that you have checked all the common things, it might be something offbeat. If the rounds are being held up on the feedramp and you have substitutied a new magazine, I wonder if the mag is being properly postioned to present the next round. Have you checked the Magazine Catch? (part number 34 in the attached schematic).

http://www.google.com/products/catal...&ved=0CBUQrhI#

Put an empty mag in the gun and see if it rattles much.

You might also consider attempting to shoot the pistol with your off hand supporting the base of the magazine, pushing it back up into the gun...

Drew