Bolt Plunger Question

[Suncoast]

I recently picked up a model 66-2 from a local individual. When I examined the gun before buying, I noticed the cylinder latch did not move easily and the cylinder was a little tight. The guy I got it from seemed knowledgable and said he had not fired the gun in a long time and that it simply needed a good cleaning and oiling.

I made my once a year mistake and trusted a knowledgable sounding stranger and finished the deal. It sounded plausible given that the gun was in excellent shape visually and looked to be very lightly fired.

After cleaning, I saw very little improvement in the function. I popped the side plate and, sure enough, no bolt plunger or spring. Instead, there was a piece of unrelated spring jammed in the hole that was helping but not really working right.

I ordered a new plunger and spring from Numrich and went to install them today.

Long way around the barn...but here is my question. The plunger from Numrich seems to be too long by about 30%. When coupled with the spring and inserted in the bolt, it still sticks out. I hand cranked a small drill bit in the hole to see if a fragment of spring or something else was in there and found nothing. Which frame types use the same plunger? Does anyone have a pic of different sized plungers side by side?

Any input would be appreciated

 

[armorer951]

I believe the bolt plungers and springs are the same, at least for the K, and J series revolvers.
I have found some disparity in the depth of the holes in the bolt, however. The length of the new spring coupled with a hole that is a bit shorter than nominal can create a problem.
The plunger should still stick out a bit when inserted in the hole with the spring, but the plunger spring should be able to be compressed down til the plunger itself is flush with the arm of the bolt.
You could compare the length of the assembled spring and plunger with the depth of the hole and trim just enough off the spring to allow the plunger to compress fully inside the hole. I would imagine the spring is just a bit too long to have room to compress fully.

(Testing the compression of the spring in the assembly with the assy inside a clear plastic bag will prevent the inevitable launch of parts into the far reaches of the room.)

 

[bigggbbruce]

Does it work when installed in gun?

 

[VM]

I recently picked up a model 66-2 from a local individual. When I examined the gun before buying, I noticed the cylinder latch did not move easily and the cylinder was a little tight. The guy I got it from seemed knowledgable and said he had not fired the gun in a long time and that it simply needed a good cleaning and oiling.

I made my once a year mistake and trusted a knowledgable sounding stranger and finished the deal. It sounded plausible given that the gun was in excellent shape visually and looked to be very lightly fired.

After cleaning, I saw very little improvement in the function. I popped the side plate and, sure enough, no bolt plunger or spring. Instead, there was a piece of unrelated spring jammed in the hole that was helping but not really working right.

I ordered a new plunger and spring from Numrich and went to install them today.

Long way around the barn...but here is my question. The plunger from Numrich seems to be too long by about 30%. When coupled with the spring and inserted in the bolt, it still sticks out. I hand cranked a small drill bit in the hole to see if a fragment of spring or something else was in there and found nothing. Which frame types use the same plunger? Does anyone have a pic of different sized plungers side by side?

Any input would be appreciated

I went thru the same thing years ago and found two different size plungers in K frames. I have no specs. from factory as to what they used in different guns but here's a side by side for you. Hope this helps

Left is .486" overall length
Right is .370" overall length

 

[Suncoast]

That looks exactly like the two parts I have. Has anyone else seen this before? According to customer service at S & W, they should all be the same size. I had one of my buddies disassemble three of his K Frames this morning and all of the plungers were the smaller size

Thanks for the pic VM

 

[linde]

. . . Has anyone else seen this before? According to customer service at S & W, they should all be the same size . . .

Yes. My experience was attempting to use a K-frame plunger and spring in a J-frame. The diameter was the same but I encountered the same problem with the length . . . only I had to grind off roughly .050".

I wouldn't recommend doing anything to shorted the spring . . . found the full length of the spring was needed for necessary travel of the cylinder release.

Russ