The culprit causing binding in the original L frames was hot 125 grain Magnum loads, where the primer would flow back into the hammer nose bushing, causing the cylinder to bind. Your .38 special load should not cause this problem.

But since it did, the factory should fix it forthwith and return it promptly. When you get it back, test it with some 125 grain loads. :-)

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102