625 Lock Up Issue

[Gazz]

A friend has a 625 that was gone over by one of the notable smiths some years ago which included action work and polishing the hammer, cylinder release, trigger and cylinder flutes - the rest of the revolver is matt or brushed finish. I'm sorry but I can't remember who he said did the work but I do remember that I recognized the name. His problem is that the revolver will occasionally lock up during either single or double action with the hammer about 1/4" its at rest position. I did see lots of flakes of powder which was sort tan in color and I think it is Clays but can't really remember that either. The only thing I can guess at is that powder flakes are getting to places where they shouldn't be. I offered to take it apart for him to see if I can spot anything obvious but it being such an intermittent problem that may be a pig in a poke so I thought I would ask here first. Thanks for any comments!

 

[Nightowl]

I'm not quite visualizing what you are trying to describe. But, if the 1/4" you are talking about is as its being cocked, it is likely that the cylinder stop is not completely disengaging as the hand rotates the cylinder. You can visually check by looking at the cylinder stop from the side as you manually cock the hammer single action. If that is where it hangs up, I would suspect the trigger nose has been polished just a tad too much. Either the cylinder stop or trigger will have to be replaced, or both. Start with the cylinder stop, its cheaper!

 

[Protocall_Design]

I would start by opening the cylinder, extending the extractor, and thoroughly tooth brushing out the back of the extractor and it's seat in the cylinder.

Most likely that is jamming up the works with the tan powder flakes. They will fall onto the back of the extractor when ejecting spent rounds. This makes the extractor not able to fully seat back in the cylinder, causing it to not close all the way, or just too tight for the hand to turn it. Raising the powder charge half of a grain to a grain will usually give the powder charge enough more heat and pressure to burn more completely, and reduce the amount of trash coming out of the fired cases.

 

[brucev]

Clean the gun. Do a thorough job. More than likely that will solve the problem. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Alk8944]

^^^^^ Clean the gun thoroughly, including inside the frame. If that doesn't help come back with specifics, your original description is sort of vague.

Diagnosing a problem with any gun is extremely difficult unless the gun-smith has it on his bench and hands-on!

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I have a 610-3 that is at the Mothership for repair that is doing the same thing.The guy at the factory said it sounded like a timing issue.We will see

 

[series guy]

I have seen powder fouling under the extractor cause this and I have also seen fouling build up on the front of the cylinder and cause it to drag on the forcing cone. You can look closely at the front of the cylinder for rub marks when this occurs.

 

[Gazz]

Thanks for all the comments. I forwarded this to the owner and he says he does clean under the extractor with a toothbrush on occasion. He said he will clean it and shoot it a bunch to see if it helps. I may have a trigger in my parts pile if it needs one.

 

[zonker5]

...Most likely that is jamming up the works with the tan powder flakes. They will fall onto the back of the extractor when ejecting spent rounds...

I was taught to always point the muzzle up when ejecting spend rounds so that the unburned powder will stay in the case. If the muzzle is pointed down the grunge will likely fall down into the ejector.

 

[steelslaver]

Always try the simple stuff first and that is soing as everyone said clean the gun thoroughly. If it is clean and has problems with know good ammo you know it is a gun problem. A tiny bit of lead, brass or hardened gunk in just the wrong place can cause problems

 

[stansdds]

It could be a timing issue, likely the cylinder stop is not pulling down quite fast enough during cocking. It could also be a powder issue. Seeing flakes of partially combusted or not combusted powder is a sign that the powder is too slow burning for the intended application. Those flakes can get into the action and tie up a revolver.
As for occasionally cleaning under the extractor... I clean that area after every range session. All kinds of debris and residue can get under an extractor and tie up a revolver.