coltgrabber
Member
I have a Mod. 29-2 that has a cylinder that is difficult to open. It takes a bit of maneuvering but it will open. I haven't fired it since I acquired it. Everything else works fine. What is my problem?
Hard to Open Cylinder
- Thread starter coltgrabber
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john traveler
Member
When a revolver developes excessive endshake, the clearance between the end of the ejector rod and the forward locking bolt changes, often enough to make the tip of the locking bolt snag on the end of the ejector rod.
When you press and hold the cylinder release, check the end of the ejector rob as you open the cylinder. Is the end of the inner extractor pin flush with the end of the ejector rod? If not, those few thousandths of an inch below flush may be enough to snag the tip of the locking bolt, making for hard opening.
The fix is to correct the excessive endshake and/or refit the end of the extractor rod.
When you press and hold the cylinder release, check the end of the ejector rob as you open the cylinder. Is the end of the inner extractor pin flush with the end of the ejector rod? If not, those few thousandths of an inch below flush may be enough to snag the tip of the locking bolt, making for hard opening.
The fix is to correct the excessive endshake and/or refit the end of the extractor rod.
500 Magnum Nut
Member
Like John says, but another thought, Did it unscrew?
Had that problem with my 360J just the other day. I had noticed it feeling like the cylinder might have been hanging up a bit and while fiddling with it, opening and closing it several times, the problem got progressively worse until it got stuck and felt like it was going to stay that way. I got it open one last time and found that the ejector rod had unscrewed to the point that it was hanging up. Luckily I hadn't bent it. I screwed it back in tight and now it's fine. Of course it took me a minute to figure out that the threads were reversed!
OP
coltgrabber
Member
Thanks...I'll try that and let you know.
One other thing to check is if you have had the side plate off. If you mixed up the front screw and the middle screw it could be the cause. The front screw holds the cylinder crane from sliding out of the frame. The front screw is fitted, and if you put the center screw in it may be too long causing it to bind the crane. Swap the screws and it will be fixed (if that is the problem).
OP
coltgrabber
Member
The cylinder screw had almost unscrewed itself. Thanks to all who answered. That's the first time I have ever had that happen and I carried a Smith & Wesson revolver for almost 9 years. I went ahead and cleaned and re-oiled everything and it now works perfectly. Thanks again!
djenk201
Member
I also have a Smith 29-2 with same issue of hard to open cylinder. With this one it seems to make it easier if you push the cylinder rearward as you perform the opening cylinder attempt. I have checked the ejector rod for tighten and it is, found no burrs on any obvious area but still requires that slight cylinder push rearward. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as its gettin frustrating at this point. Thanks
Targets Guy
US Veteran
I always make sure the ejector rod is tight.
That would be the first thing to check.
You should not be able to push the cylinder rearward ideally. Sounds like your 29-2 has some end shake. IIRC, this causes the center pin to be too far forward & the cylinder latch doesn't have enough range to fully release it.
Mine developed end shake that necessitated adding (2) .002" bearing/shims to eliminate it. The center pin's spring naturally tries to push the cylinder forward, taking up that clearance/gap between the end of the yoke barrel & the cylinder, which is overcome when you push it rearward.
Measure the B-C gap with the cylinder held forward & then with it held rearward. The difference is it's end shake. Anything over .002" should be repaired. (Mine was .004") With it repaired you should barely notice any rearward movement (~.001"). You can buy the bearings/shims at MidwayUSA.
As I recall my 29-2 cylinder was a little hard to open too, like you describe, when I noticed the end shake. Afterwards it's okay.
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