Found old .357 S&W w/Pachmayr grips in back yard.

[stantheman86]

The "armorer" was probably a cop with a $2 claw hammer beating on the side of the cylinder until the center pin broke and the extractor rod bent, and the thing popped open.

You're right, they probably told him to beat it to death and ruin it, so they can "claim" it was damaged during an attempt to unload it. They don't seem like they want to give a working gun back to a citizen without a NICS check and an FFL transfer and all that BS, it's easier just to destroy it in their opinion.

It might be worth the laugh to have it lettered by S&W, it would be funny if that were an old duty gun from a local PD......off duty cop goes out hunting, brings along his duty gun as a protection piece and loses it.......he might have had some explaining to do if it were an issue gun and not one he bought himself.

If it were me, I probably would have kept it my little secret. Anything I find on my property would belong to me, IMO. I doubt that gun would have been very shootable anyway, no doubt the bore and chambers were roached.

 

[buckyjames1]

If allowed to keep it I would send it in to S/W and tell them to do an action job Lol. Tell them that the finish rusted prematurely and check yoke/end shake and all tolerances to see if its within specs.

 

[lilmag]

^^^^^what he said, LOL, and maybe some class 2 engraving

 

[Jim PHL]

I laughed at that. First thought when I seen it was like this was a hostage/money trade off or something . Lemme see the goods.

We weren't concerned with the condition. As long as the forms/court stuff is free we will try and get it back. If it costs anything we will probably give up, though. Unless it costs a small amount. My dad is retired so he doesn't have a lot of money he can spend into this. Even if it is damaged beyond repair it will at the least be a keepsake with a weird story.

If the amount is reasonable but out of your Dad's means I am one of probably quite a few people here who'd kick-in a couple bucks just to see this thread have a cool ending! Let us know what it will cost!

 

[mrstang01]

Any updates?

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

If you do get it back, soak it in PB BLaster to free up the rust and get those rounds out of there.

I recommend Evapo-Rust soaks. It will take off the bluing that remains, but I see no point in trying to salvage that. Evapo-Rust will break down the rust without harming the healthy steel remaining underneath. It might take several soaks with carefull brass brush work in between, but you should be able to free up the cylinder and unload it then.

 

[MacA]

Any updates?

Doubt we will get an update. Lordbobby hasn't been around in a while...

Last Activity: 09-19-2010 11:36 AM

Cool story though!!

 

[therick]

I used to work with a bunch of auto mechanics and it's AMAZING what a can of "PB Blaster" can free up. I'll bet a $50.00 steak dinner if you were able to soak the gun in a shallow bucket of Blaster for about a week, you'll be able to open the cylinder, push the extractor rod and maybe even cock that bad boy!

 

[FTG-05]

Doubt we will get an update. Lordbobby hasn't been around in a while...

Last Activity: 09-19-2010 11:36 AM

Cool story though!!

Well ****, I was really getting into this thread.

Too bad about that gun. Another example of doing the right thing gets thrown back into your face.

 

[oldafsp]

I used to work with a bunch of auto mechanics and it's AMAZING what a can of "PB Blaster" can free up. I'll bet a $50.00 steak dinner if you were able to soak the gun in a shallow bucket of Blaster for about a week, you'll be able to open the cylinder, push the extractor rod and maybe even cock that bad boy!

Oh yeah..great stuff. I took a Savge O/U .22/20ga that would not work (cock) and the trigger was rusted.

Soaked it for 24 hrs in PB Blaster, took it apart cleaned it, lubed it and it works great !