Model 41 Bolt Pin breakage

[jaybar]

Peened chamber mouth

Here we go again. All is well with the bolt.

BUT when the 5" barrel is installed it doesn't eject. Ejects fine with the 7" barrel.

This is with Winchester and Federal bulk ammo. Are there chamber dimension issues? It leaves the case in or part way in the chamber (5" barrel) while with the 7" barrel it ejects empties just fine, same box of ammo.

When the fired case remains in the chamber it is usually because the rear of the chamber is smaller than the front of the chamber. This can happen because of firing pin strikes or from the bolt battering the chamber mouth. What happens is that when the round goes off, the brass expands to seal the chamber, the pressure builds and blows the bullet out the barrel. As the bullet exits the barrel, the pressure drops, brass contracts enough to let go of the chamber walls and the residual pressure blows the brass out the rear. Problem is that the brass is not 100 percent elastic and there is still enough pressure to keep it slightly expanded, so if the chamber mouth is peened, the front of the brass is bigger than the rear of the chamber. The brass gets an initial impulse to move rearward that impulse is transferred to the slide, the slide moves rearward taking the round with it but the round gets stuck about halfway out, the extractor slips the rim and the round remains in the chamber.

I've fixed a slew of High Standard barrels and a few 41's with peened or nicked chamber mouths by inserting a long tapered punch (like a center punch)into the chamber and giving it a few raps with a light hammer. The taper swages the peened chamber mouth back to a uniform size. Go easy with the hammer - you are only trying to move a little metal, not rechambering the gun. You won't damage anything as long as you keep the punch co-axial with the bore.

Works for me.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Another question - is this an older 5" field bbl with front & rear site or one of the newer 5" w/o sites and d&t for scope base? The older 5" as noted by JayBar is more likely peened as I have not seen chamber problems with them. The newer bbls seem to have numerous faults, with chamber finish one of them from what I have read. No problems with mine but few rounds thru it. Would consider sending it to JayBird if older bbl and to S&W if newer one - S&W sjhould figure out and fix for no charge.

 

[tomcatt51]

Another question - is this an older 5" field bbl with front & rear site or one of the newer 5" w/o sites and d&t for scope base? Would consider sending it to JayBird if older bbl and to S&W if newer one - S&W sjhould figure out and fix for no charge.

This 5" has sights and is d&t'ed, early 2000 build. Has probably less than 100 rds thru it having sat in the box while the 7" barrel was always used. It would have gone to S&W when the gun was sent for the bolt issue but it hadn't been used so the problem hadn't surfaced. Naturally the only .22 LR chamber reamer I have is for revolver cylinders (617's benefit greatly) and the 41 chamber is a pain to ream because of the sight extension..

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

TOMCatt, the early 5" was dropped in about 1978. To my knowledge, any 5" after that was optics only. Pictures possible to help ID?

Is it possible you have the 5.5" bull bbl that is D&T with sites?

 

[tomcatt51]

Is it possible you have the 5.5" bull bbl that is D&T with sites?

Yes, my mistake. 5.5" Bull D&T with sights. I'm learning about 41's. I think I'm going to have to get one.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Would bet JayBar could tune it up or tell if it is a bad bbl, but I suggest sending it to S&W - sounds as if it is one of many quality issues with later 41s. keep us posted.

 

[tomcatt51]

Follow-up: This has been a while but the gun (and barrel) in question was not a priority to the owner and he tried all sorts of ammo hoping to find a "cure" other than reaming the chamber. Finally, reaming the chamber (std 22 LR finish reamer), did fix the ejection problems. Interestingly, the reamer did not completely "clean" the chamber, close though, the walls were definitely not "straight". Still shoots nice little groups inside the 10 ring of a 50 ft slow fire bullseye target and will now run Fed or Win bulk ammo for practice.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Thanks for followup. This set of posts should be earmarked to use in the "Old VS New" arguement as well as the efforts and expertize of you and JKEEFER and JAYBAR. I continue to be amazed and pleased with the experts like the three of you.