Help with Model 65-2 (.357 magnum) malfuction.

[bosaki]

I have a .357 magnum revolver (model 65-2), and it has developed a malfunction over the years.

If you pull the trigger quickly, the gun will lock up and you can't pull the trigger any more (this occurs on about half of the quick trigger pulls). The trigger and hammer only move back about a quarter of an inch before they freeze. But if you let off the trigger a bit, then pull slowly, the gun will function properly. However, this problem does not occur at all if the trigger is pulled slowly and smoothly from the beginning. But I'd like to be able to fire it rapidly.

It also locks up if the hammer is pulled back rapidly.

I was told that I might not be letting the trigger reset all the way, but even if I completely let off the trigger, and then pull quickly it does not work, so I know that is not the issue.

Does anybody have an suggestion on what I'd need to do to fix it? Parts to clean/replace? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Angel Eyes]

I would try a good cleaning. Spray the inside with liberally with a de-greaser, let dry and then oil.

 

[Jellybean]

I had the same thing happen with a Brazilian 1917/1937. I had checked the action and timing when I'd bought it but when I tried to put it to work I ran into the same symtoms you descibed. I pulled the sideplate and found a previous owner(?) had filed away the front of the trigger that engages the cylinder stop. When pulled rapidly the cylinder stop was slipping past the trigger too early and wouldn't let the cylinder turn.


I also had a problem with a 657 where there was a ridge on the extractor star that would catch the hand. It would bind everything up on a short stroke.

Before replacing anything I would give it a good cleaning, inside and out. It's amazing what a little crud can do to a precision instrument.

 

[Steve Koski]

Bosaki,

That sounds like a gun a friend of mine has. Do you know him?

Seriously, I have a S&W book that has some diagrams of parts with names & such. Let me know if you want me to scan some of the pages in and email them to you.

Steve Koski