Lemon squeezer repair

[383 magnum]

I bought this S&W .32 lemon squeezer for 60 bucks at a gun show a few years ago. Serial No. is 124XXX. It has the following problems: The action won't work most of the time when you pull the trigger which I'm guessing is due to wear on the ratchets or pawl, the firing pin works but does not spring back into place and the ejector pops up but also does not spring back into place. Is this worth repairing and if so, does anyone have any suggestions as to how? I can't see taking this to a local gunsmith who probably has zero experience working on these.

 

[opoefc]

90% of the time, the problems you have are the result of old oil, burned powder crud and other impurities living in the internals. A thorough cleaning with partial disassembly will usually put the gun back in operating condition. It will also help detect any weak springs or broken parts, that must be replaced. It's a DIY job, as any gunsmith with the talent to do it right will have to charge you far more than the gun is worth. Good Luck, Ed.

 

[tlay]

Right now I am in the process of working on safety hammerless guns. Your firing pin has a broken spring. Possibly the firing pin is broken also. The pin is pushed out with the cup towards the barrel. It is difficult to do. I would recommend you Google safety hammerless assembly/disassembly and look at the parts.
More than likely some of the other springs are broken or crudded up. I would recommend you take the side plate off and soak the whole gun, minus the grips in a good penetrating oil such as Kroil for a few days. If you get stuck p.m. me and I will try to help. By the way, if your firing pin spring is broke you can make one from a ball point pen spring! Good luck.

 

[383 magnum]

Thanks everyone, and any thoughts on why the cylinder hangs up when i try to pull the trigger? I don't have a clue how to fix that other than replacing the parts, if they are available.

 

[mmaher94087]

"..any thoughts on why the cylinder hangs up when i try to pull the trigger.." If the cylinder does not revolve when the trigger is pulled (I think that's what you are asking), you have just discovered the Achilles heel of these revolvers. There is a very delicate "split spring" that is part of the trigger group, that releases the cylinder and allows it to lock into battery. If this spring is broken (99% of the time) then the cylinder will not revolve and will lock-up the revolver. I know of no source for that part.

 

[383 magnum]

"..any thoughts on why the cylinder hangs up when i try to pull the trigger.." If the cylinder does not revolve when the trigger is pulled (I think that's what you are asking), you have just discovered the Achilles heel of these revolvers. There is a very delicate "split spring" that is part of the trigger group, that releases the cylinder and allows it to lock into battery. If this spring is broken (99% of the time) then the cylinder will not revolve and will lock-up the revolver. I know of no source for that part.

That's what it does, it is locked up. I can't even pull the trigger at all most of the time, but sometimes when I close it, the trigger will work and the cylinder will revolve but it will only do it once and then it seizes up again.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

You can try Jackfirstgun.com for a replica spring. They make a lot of parts for older guns.

 

[383 magnum]

Thanks everyone, and I think the split spring is what is broken. I may just keep this one as a wall hanger!