A friend brought me his model 31-1 that he is wanting to sell. He thinks it has a problem with the cylinder stop. With the trigger forward you can rotate the cylinder in reverse. But when you pull the trigger the cylinder rotates properly and locks up tight. I have not worked on this model or a Smith this new. I took it apart and the cylinder stop spring is good and the stop doesn't look bad. I polished it and put the gun back together.
The factory is closed today so I can't ask them. Is this OK for this model? Also with this model being 95%, what is the value? It is a snub and blue with the box and papers.

__________________
Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

You don't say if the gun appears to be modified, or how many rounds have been fired through the gun. In any case, the cylinder should not come off of the stop and rotate clockwise, even when it is at rest.

My guess is that the rebound spring has either been cut, or a lighter spring installed. If so, the trigger may not be returning fully and properly, and the tongue of the trigger is exerting some pressure on the cyl. stop, just above the bevel. This condition prevents the stop from returning to the fully "up" position when the trigger is forward. If the tongue of the trigger is only slightly in contact with the cyl. stop (pulling it down slightly) when the action is at rest, you may be able to induce the malfunction you describe.

The ball of the cylinder stop could also have been modified, or show abnormalities from wear, or improper alteration/fitting. Check the top of the stop with a nagnifier for any abnormally rounded edges or a "flat spot" on top. Sometimes, if the stop is not too badly worn, you can let the stop out by removing some material from the adjustment step on the top of the stop, just behind the ball. This will allow the stop to rise slightly higher in the frame window, and increase it's contact with the stop slot in the cylinder itself.

Another possibility is that the stop slots in the cylinder are dirty. Again, check with a magnifier and clean with a toothpick and a safe solvent, like Hoppes.

There are many other possible issues. Since the gun is probably still under warranty, consider contacting S&W Customer Service. 1-800-331-0852

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

The gun is in like new condition. The cylinder stop had a small bur on it that I stoned off. I polished the surface but it was round and did not have a flat spot. The spring seems weak for this type of spring. When I only install the cylinder stop and spring along with the cylinder and trigger and cycle it very slowly the trigger is not raising the stop until the cylinder starts to rotate as normal. At rest the stop is only held in the cylinder by spring pressure.

__________________
Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

If the rebound appears OEM, and everything else appears to function normally, but the cyl stop spring seems "weak", perhaps an "extra power" cylinder stop spring would solve the issue.

https://www.gunsprings.com/index.php...58&dID=264#448

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Thanks. Would you happen to know if these springs will work in a 3 screw J frame?

__________________
Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

Should work fine.......I believe the cyl. stop springs are the same in all the j-frames fitted with a "solid body" type stop design. It will be a bit heavier than the OEM spring.

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer