657-3 does not eject empty cases (Fixed!)

[SW686-6]

Finally getting around to loading some .41 Mag for a 657-3. Some field firing with a mix of old Winchester and new Starline cases resulted in ZERO empty cases falling free of the cylinder when I pressed the ejector rod to the rear. In every case, ALL fired cases still stuck a little bit into the cylinder, and required one to INDIVIDUALLY pull each case free of the cylinder.

I measured a number of the fired cases, they ranged from 1.270 up to 1.279, and the published "trim to" length is 1.285". Pressure on the tip of the ejector rod is about the same when the cylinder is empty or when ejecting cases, in other words the cases ARE NOT sticking in the cylinder.

I brushed out each chamber with Hoppe's and a phosphor brush, followed up with a Bore-Mop. Empty cases still do NOT drop free when at maximum ejector rod travel.

This suggests to me that the ejector rod travel is not long enough. I measured a fired case that was fully extended from the cylinder (ejector pushed to end of travel). Using the depth gage on my Starrett, it was 1.020 from the face of the rim (same side as the caliber stamping on case head) to the rear face of the cylinder.

http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Pistol/41 Remington Magnum.pdf

The case head is @ .436-ish and the mouth is .435-ish on fired cases. Fired and tumbled cases easily enter a Wilson 41 Mag case gage with fingertip pressure. It seems a simple neck sizing of the last quarter inch should clean that up.

Whazzup? Am I measuring the ejector travel correctly? I do not shoot IPSC or defensive carry with this, and if a whitetail needs more than six rounds of Winchester 240gr Silvertips, he would probably be too close for me to reload anyways...

 

[Pizza Bob]

Ejector rods are not always long enough to fully eject cases from the cylinder. For the 2.5" barrelled .357's this has always been a problem. Barring sticking in the cylinders (which you have already checked), you just have to give gravity a helping hand - vertical gun and a sharp rap on the ejector rod.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[steelslaver]

Don't own a 41, but do know that 357, 44 mag and 45 colt cases are all slightly longer than the ejector rod stroke. But, if the gun is held muzzle up they should drop out or shake out easily. When you stroke your ejector does it travel to the point that the knurling is right to the yoke? Should be close.

 

[SW686-6]

Ooh, that works...

Since I'm a reloader, the idea of pointing the muzzle up and working the ejector to >drop< cases is a little... unsettling...

BUT... after I sordid through a number of cases to match fired cases to individual chambers, (nothing bad, just wanted nothing to interfere) pointing the muzzle up and pushing the ejector back resulted in six cases in my lap.

Now to go back and resize the cases with an RCBS carbide die...

 

[Toolguy]

Revolvers are gravity operated. Barrel down to load, barrel up to empty. A semi-auto has a slide and recoil spring to load and a slide with extractor to unload.