Hello!

I have a question about the cylinders in .38 Model 64's.

My friend has an old Model 64 with lock up problems. The lock on the frame of the gun is worn pretty bad. There is lots of play forward and back on the cylinder. The LGS says we are talking big bucks for the factory only repair.

Are these folks mistaken or is it time to purchase another gun?

Thank you guys!

Very difficult to trouble shoot over the internet without detailed pictures and exact measurements made with precise feeler gauges.

I'd encourage your friend to send it back to S&W. This is piece of cake for them, and their prices are not unfair. They have the knowledge, training, and special tools to fix it right. Probably, looking at a couple of hundred bucks, maybe a little less.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I would call the factory. It may be a $100 or less to put the gun back in factory specification.

Could be the LGS just wants to sell a new gun.
Model 64's are not all that fragile and if not abused should be repairable.
Mine is from the 1970's , a police trade in and since it's retirement from PD has become my favorite and most fired handgun.
I would spend money to have it fixed , they don't make them like this any more and never will. I honestly believe they are better than the new ones.
Is there a local gunsmith , a real one that can actually repair a S&W, take it to them for a second opinion .
Gary

Even if it needs a $250 "package" it's worth it on an excellent all purpose handgun. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Welcome to the Forum! Always great to have new members! Difficult to tell "over the phone" what might be the problem with this 64, one of my favorite S&Ws. Yes, the dealer might be pushing a new gun. Or, the gun may have been abused in manner: amateur "gunsmithing" or perhaps fired with over-pressure handloads.

By all means, get a competent opinion. I prefer my local 'smith, but contacting the factory might be best if you are not sure. In any case, get it fixed and enjoy it for decades. You will not be sorry. Good shooting.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I would get it fixed. The old repaired gun is liable to be cheaper than and as good as a new gun and it keeps another Smith revolver alive.

After years of service my 64-3 had bad endshake and the lockup / timing was suffering. Sent it in to the Factory for a tune up. They replaced all the springs, fixed endshake, new hand, cylinder stop, center pin and timing set. Barrel turned with the cylinder gap set at .006. The gun was like new when I got it back. Been a few years and I forget how much I paid but it was very reasonable. A hundred something IIRC. The new guns don't hold a candle to the old guns. Send it in.
Klyde

A handsome 64-3....

Yep. You have a quality built firearm. It should be a piece of cake for S&W to fix it to like new. Expect good service and the cost should be within $20 bucks or so of a local gunsmith and it is factory fixed. Good luck!