686-4 cylinder locked up

[JBONES]

Been having issues with cylinder opening hard like was hung up or binding. The center pin is clearing locking bolt, and spring is springy. And thumb piece feels operational with pressing it forward. Lock up and timing have also been prefect.

I just had it apart for cleaning, and just as i was closing the cylinder I noticed the center pin was protruding through the extractor star? Not thinking I closed it it up, and now it won't open. I'm not a smith, and don't think taking the side plate off to have a look would be a good idea for me. Action sill cycles, cylinder still freely rotates, just won't open.

Any options I may have for a fix? less taking to a gunsmith, or sending in to S&W? If not I'll send it off.

 

[FlyFish]

Sounds like the ejector rod has loosened up and backed out a bit. If you can get the cylinder open it's a simple matter to tighten it up - just remember that it's reverse threaded, and you should put a few pieces of empty brass in the cylinder to take the strain off the ejector star. The center pin should protrude as you describe, BTW.

Even with the action closed, you may be able to hold the knurled end of the ejector rod by pressing against it enough to prevent it from turning - or perhaps carefully wedge something in there. Then thumb the hammer back (you're sure it's unloaded, right?) just enough to disengage the cylinder stop, allowing you to turn the cylinder counter-clockwise (the hand will prevent it from turning clockwise) to screw the rod in enough to open things up. If that doesn't work, I'm out of ideas. Perhaps someone else knows how.

 

[JBONES]

Unloaded. I always check operation after cleaning before reloading and placing back in night stand.

But finally got it open, and it sure was lose, I must have loosened extractor rod when cleaning the burn rings off face of cylinder and didn't even realize it.

Maybe it's been backing out the whole time, and that's the off and on binding I've been experiencing, other treads I just read seem to point to that issue.

Thanks FlyFish.