K-22 & Sticky Cylinder

[tddude]

I have a mid 50’s K-22 and sometimes when firing, the cylinder gets stuck. When shooting double action, I’m not able to pull through whatever is causing the drag. I could pull the hammer back and make it work but lately I’m not even able to pull the hammer back. Or I should say, I’m not willing to pull the hammer back hard enough. I’m afraid of breaking things worse than what they are. If I open the cylinder, nothing is binding and all the shells are still seated in the cylinder. After I close back up, it will shoot normally until it binds again.

It will do this about once every 25-30 shots.

At some point in its life, this pistol had a really nice trigger job done to it. The trigger and hammer were replaced with something that is not case hardened. In SA, it has a 3/4 lb. trigger pull. All one has to do for it to trip is to look crossways at it. I was wondering if any of that work might now be causing this problem.

I pulled the cylinder off the frame and yoke and have lubed everything well. I don’t have the tools to take the side plate off and I don’t want to ding anything trying to pry it open.

Any suggestions or does anyone know of a gunsmith in the Houston area that knows their way around this pistol.

Many thanks.

 

[GM4spd]

That nice trigger pull of less then a pound is really not safe. You probably
need a hammer and trigger replacement to get a properly functioning
revolver in both single and double action modes. Pete

 

[Wayne M]

Check to see if the end of the cylinder is scraping the forcing cone. The drag created will cause binding. Also take an old toothbrush shooting with you and occasionally brush out the debris under the extractor which can cause it to set back with force against the recoil shield and bind. Also wipe the lube out from under that star. Lube in that area is a crud magnet. Just a few ideas.

 

[H Richard]

Have you looked to see of the extractor rod has become unscrewed? That would also cause you to have difficulty opening the cylinder. Also check around the rear forcing cone, and the inside of the top strap for any build up. K22's, mod. 17's are notorious for small lead particles building up in these area's and on the front of the cylinder face.