Help! 642 trigger sticks after cleaning

[Fordfan485]

I removed the cylinder and yoke to clean my 642 today. Now the trigger sticks and will not reset. Here is a video of the malfunction. Did I break my revolver!?

S&W 642 Malfunction - YouTube

 

[Muss Muggins]

Can't get the video to play. What else did you do?

edit: Got it to play. What else did you do?

 

[Fordfan485]

Can't get the video to play. What else did you do?

edit: Got it to play. What else did you do?

All I did was clean and oil it. I also removed the grips too. I didn't touch the other screws or remove the side plate.

 

[Pef]

Is this a new gun? I am wondering of someone reduced the rebound slide spring. There are kits as low as 11 pounds, which is about the lowest limit.

Although removing the yoke shouldn't make a difference.

Sounds like it may need a trip back to the mother ship.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Well, it seems like the rebound is not rebounding, but that shouldn't suddenly appear. The yoke would not impact the rebound either, unless the cylinder rod was backed out. How did it function before . . . ?

 

[Fordfan485]

I bought in April 2013 brand new. Fired it for only the second time in an idpa match last week (about 50 rnds). Worked fine before that. It was working fine before I cleaned it today because I dry fired it for about 5 min problem free.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I bought in April 2013 brand new. Fired it for only the second time in an idpa match last week (about 50 rnds). Worked fine before that. It was working fine before I cleaned it today because I dry fired it for about 5 min problem free.

take it apart again and see if the extractor rod has backed out. the cylinder binding could keep the trigger from rebounding . . .

 

[Pef]

I bought in April 2013 brand new. Fired it for only the second time in an idpa match last week (about 50 rnds). Worked fine before that. It was working fine before I cleaned it today because I dry fired it for about 5 min problem free.

This is an unusual problem. I'd be inclined to send it to SW for a fix. I've taken many a yoke out, and never had this problem.

The good news is SW is pretty easy for returns and warranty.

 

[Fordfan485]

Problem fixed! Posted in the 642 Facebook group. Someone asked if I had use degreaser , which I did. He suggested some lube shot up behind the trigger. Gave it a quick squirt of CLP, seems to have fixed the problem.

 

[Muss Muggins]

So in answer to my question "what else did you do?" you failed to mention that . . . That's a temporary fix, because now you're looking at a gummed up interior in your future . . . . Good luck . . .

 

[TucsonMTB]

So, if I understand correctly, you degreased the internals using an aerosol spray and then lubricated them again, also with an aerosol spray, once you realized that some lubrication is necessary.

I'm guessing you will be fine. Yeah, more experienced folks might have pulled the sideplate for a proper cleaning and then carefully applied the smallest possible amount of lubricant in selected locations. But, your revolver will most likely be happy enough as is.

By not taking it apart without greater knowledge, you may have done it a favor.

You may notice a little lubricant "weeping" out around the edges of the sideplate and/or running down the trigger. If you keep wiping them off, eventually that will stop.

Edited to add: One place that you should be careful not to apply lubrication to is the frame mounted firing pin area. The light firing pin return spring can get gummed up enough to stop doing its job. If the firing pin seems reluctant to retract after you release the trigger while dry firing, that is the most likely reason. Otherwise, no worries.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Take it apart. I really dont see how degreaser should have caused this malfunction. Take off the side plate , if you dont remove all the parts for cleaning just blast it clean with CLP and add some grease to all moving parts

 

[MichiganScott]

I see no problem with the degreaser/spray lube treatment. It certainly is better that trying to run it dry or with the factory rust preventative. You are better off not opening the side plate unless you know what you are doing.

FWIW, I believe S&W revolvers should be lubed with oil.

 

[TNDave]

What you are describing doing to the gun shouldn't have caused any trouble. You need to take the side plate off the gun and inspect the inside. A lot of the time a gun acts like yours it means the trigger pin is broken.