32 Safety Hammerless Action Question

[Cleophus]

Hello All,
I am brand new to this group and would like to start off by showing my ignorance of the workings of the 32 safety hammerless. My question is this; is the cylinder of this pistol supposed to turn freely until the trigger is pulled, or is it supposed to be captured by the cylinder stop until the trigger is pulled?
My reason for asking is that I am looking at a very clean little 32, but the cylinder freewheels, and it just doesn't seem like this should be the case. Any help from the wise men here will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Cleophus

 

[Cleophus]

Hello All,
I am brand new to this group and would like to start off by showing my ignorance of the workings of the 32 safety hammerless. My question is this; is the cylinder of this pistol supposed to turn freely until the trigger is pulled, or is it supposed to be captured by the cylinder stop until the trigger is pulled?
My reason for asking is that I am looking at a very clean little 32, but the cylinder freewheels, and it just doesn't seem like this should be the case. Any help from the wise men here will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Cleophus

 

[mmaher94087]

Cleophus, welcome aboard. None of the S&W cylinders should free-wheel. Look carefully at the markings as I suspect that your safety is not S&W made. If it is S&W made, then there is a major internal problem such as a broken cylinder stop. Mike

 

[Cleophus]

Hey Mike, thanks for the response and for confirming my suspicions about the 32. It is definitely a S&W, and extremely clean, almost in as new condition. I now suspect that the free wheeling cylinder is why the gun is in such great condition. It was probably broken early in it's life and then tucked away in a sock drawer and forgotten. Thanks again for the info!

Cleophus

 

[cgt4570]

Dave Chichoine Old West Gunsmithhas most parts for these as well as very good blow-up diagrams. I've taken several of these completely apart and re-assembled. Not much to them. Usually pretty easy to work on.
Chris

 

[mmaher94087]

Cleophus,as cgt4570 has indicated, call Dave. His number is on his website. If the cylinder rotates, indexes and locks in battery then the problem may be as simple as hardened gun oil in the action. If the cylinder stop or spring is broken it will not lock-up. Mike

 

[Cleophus]

Thanks Mike and Chris for all the good info. Especially the heads up on Dave Chichoine and his supply of vintage parts for the old top breaks! Since I now know I can get the parts needed, I think I'll go ahead and buy the little feller and put it back to work. Thanks again for all the good help and advise, it looks like I've found a great forum!

Cleophus

Cleophus

 

[deadin]

Since I now know I can get the parts needed

If you haven't, you should check with Dave first. He doesn't necessarily have all of the parts all of the time. You probably need part #450 and/or #468. He has them listed as POR, so he may not have them in stock currently.

 

[NKJ nut]

My little "squeezer" is tight as a tick and doesn't need anything but I am glad to know that there is someone out there that can work on them or sell you the parts if needed. Thanks for the info.

 

[mmaher94087]

Indeed, Dave may not have the part in stock but he might make it for you. There are not too many of the parts around so you might need to look for a parts gun. If the squeezer is super nice, in original condition and not too pricey because of the mechanical problem then I'd say "Buy it". Good luck. Mike

 

[otteray]

Originally posted by cgt4570:
Dave Chichoine Old West Gunsmithhas most parts for these as well as very good blow-up diagrams. I've taken several of these completely apart and re-assembled. Not much to them. Usually pretty easy to work on.
Chris

I have been looking for parts for about 4 years.
Numrich doesn't seem to have what I need and your diagram has good discriptions.
Thanks for the link!