Help! Victory Model Cylinder Stuck

[Haybinger]

Hi all, been on the forum for a while but first post. A while back I bought a nice S&W Victory and just got my hands on it today. The only problem is the cylinder/yoke absolutely will not open. The gun functions perfectly with good timing in both SA/DA. The thumb release was stuck weirdly all the way forwards, and would not give any leeway whether you held it back or forwards or anywhere between.

Took a bit to get it completely apart but I still can't get it open!! Thought at first maybe some gunk was stuck in there and holding it shut but it was well cleaned and oiled inside. Tried pushing on the rear of the cylinder retaining pin with a dowel and some bar-stock and couldn't get it to budge at all. Thinking maybe it has something to do with the rod retainer under the barrel? All of my other K-frames there is usually a bit sticking out the end but not on this one.

Here are some pictures:

 

[Hondo44]

Make sure the Extractor rod is screwed in tight, right hand thread. That's the most common cause.

To tighten the rod now that you have the cylinder stop bolt removed, grasp the rod on the knurled tip and turn the cyl to screw the rod in tight.

When the rod comes loose, it extends forward in length to the point that the front locking bolt under the barrel cannot be pushed forward far enough to clear the hole in the rod.

 

[Haybinger]

Make sure the Extractor rod is screwed in tight, right hand thread. That's the most common cause.

To tighten the rod now that you have the cylinder stop bolt removed, grasp the rod on the knurled tip and turn the cyl to screw the rod in tight.

When the rod comes loose, it extends forward in length to the point that the front locking bolt under the barrel cannot be pushed forward far enough to clear the hole in the rod.

Yes, I have had this specific problem on a couple other guns, doesn't seem to be the case here.

I couldn't get it any tighter by hand so just to be sure I grabbed the end gently with some padded grips and gave it maybe at most 1/4-1/2 a turn, felt like any more and there would be some damage to the threads.

Still can't get even a slight bit of forward movement on the release pin with or without the thumb latch installed

 

[Hondo44]

If the ctr pin is not moving forward at all, you can't push the front locking bolt out of the end of extractor rod. The ctr pin must be rusted solid and frozen in place. Soak the gun in Kroil (or similar penetrant) or spray it liberally into the front end of the extractor rod and keep pushing the back end of the ctr pin with your dowel. The front locking bolt could be frozen in place also.

 

[Haybinger]

If the ctr pin is not moving forward at all, you can't push the front locking bolt out of the end of extractor rod. the ctr in must be rusted solid and frozen in place. Soak the gun in Kroil (or similar penetrant) or spray it liberally into the front end of the extractor rod and keep pushing the back end of the ctr pin with your dowel. The front locking bolt could be frozen in place also.

Success! Let it soak in oil for a while and was still having a bit of trouble, had to give the back end a bit of the ol' "French Police" method....firm but fair!

Ended up getting the cylinder and yoke assembly out and wow! The center pin was so gummed up I could count a few seconds between depressing it and it rising back up all the way again, it took nearly 25-30s the first time after I had it out. Got some oil in there and worked it back and forth a ton to loosen it up, tried turning the rod out first but it just started shredding my padded grips, will have to fashion a little pair of circular vice blocks at some point to work it apart.

Either way, it is still a bit stiff on opening but the gun is back in business! Will be taking it for a shoot sometime later this week when it is a bit nicer out.