Baby Russian question...

[pace40]

Found one in a local shop. Probably about 50 bucks over priced based on condition but....the question is...

Cylinder locks up tight with hammer cocked but spins freely with hammer down. All other functions good although obviously a little gummy. Know zero about these so I thought I should ask how big an issue this is before jumping in. Thanks in advance.

 

[pace40]

Found one in a local shop. Probably about 50 bucks over priced based on condition but....the question is...

Cylinder locks up tight with hammer cocked but spins freely with hammer down. All other functions good although obviously a little gummy. Know zero about these so I thought I should ask how big an issue this is before jumping in. Thanks in advance.

 

[cgt4570]

If I remember, this is correct. There is a half-cock for keeping the hammer off of a loaded chamber. (but just like a Colt SAA, don't carry it that way!) After cocking and shooting it, the hammer will be resting on the spent primer of the fired chamber. It won't spin. They didn't see the need for it to lock up in this case, and for when all the chambers are loaded, again it doesn't matter if it rotates. If you were to carry it, just put the hammer down on an empty chamber. It would only be able to rotate back and forth on that chamber. The rims of the cartidges on either side would hit the firing pin preventing it from going any further. As soon as you cock it, the cylinder should line up the loaded chamber, so no problem.
Hope this helps,
Chris

 

[pace40]

Thanks, Chris...I was afraid of that. Now I guess I have to figure out a way to buy it.

 

[dogngun]

Pace40:

I had one many years ago, and carried it fully loaded by resting the hammer in the small spece between two cartridge rims. This is an old method I read about somewhere, but I could not recall where.

I enjoyed shooting mine along with another single action .38, and can't remember why I was dumb enough to sell them.

Enjoy it.

Mark

 

[mmaher94087]

Pace40:
To answer to your original question regarding cylinder lockup; Baby Russian revolver cylinders lockup with the hammer in the full down position and at the full-cock position. At the half-cock position, the cylinder will revolve freely. If yours deviates from the norm, there is a problem either with a chipped hammer half-cock knotch or a chipped trigger sear.

 

[pace40]

Thanks to all. I did pick it up and found that it was just gunked up so that hammer would not completely go to full down. Gave it a good cleaning and it is functioning perfectly. Even the ejector rod has full function. I may have to shoot a cylinder or two through it.