Malfunctioning S&W .38 Special.

[rays44]

I stopped myself from posting a dozen times because I do not want to sound offensive to the OP. On the contrary, a revolver that carries this kind of personal significance carries far more value than its worth in currency. I could certainly be wrong (I usually am) but I get the sense that the OP does not have the skills or tools to repair this revolver (right now). This is not a knock, but an observation and opinion. I apologize if it is not taken as the constructive criticism it is meant to be. I think it's an excellent choice to not treat it as a DIY project at this point. This is certainly the best place to come for the information you seek even if some old opinionated guy like me has to throw in his 2 cents. Best of luck with your endeavor.

 

[jjfitch]

We're on the same page..

I stopped myself from posting a dozen times because I do not want to sound offensive to the OP. On the contrary, a revolver that carries this kind of personal significance carries far more value than its worth in currency. I could certainly be wrong (I usually am) but I get the sense that the OP does not have the skills or tools to repair this revolver (right now). This is not a knock, but an observation and opinion. I apologize if it is not taken as the constructive criticism it is meant to be. I think it's an excellent choice to not treat it as a DIY project at this point. This is certainly the best place to come for the information you seek even if some old opinionated guy like me has to throw in his 2 cents. Best of luck with your endeavor.

See post #37!

Smiles,

 

[Michael Harless]

I second that about the proper screwdrivers. Even if they fit the slot, you don't want tapered blades, they will gall the top edge of the slot too easily. The screws are under moderate torque for their size, so they won't come loose from shooting, and you still need a rather large grip on a small blade to get them loose. Jeweler's drivers aren't the right kind.

So I need a whole new set of precision screwdrivers.

Que sera sera.

I like screwdrivers.

This is a perfect excuse....

I like the way you think, Hair Trigger.

 

[AlHunt]

Thanks for the advice.

However, I'm playing doctor with this patient. Primum non nocere.

Touch that firearm with anything but a hollow ground screwdriver and the "do no harm" part of your oath is out the window, Doc.

Lots of experienced advice here. My advice is to heed that advice.

 

[Michael Harless]

Just out of curiosity what is the relationship between the 19th amendment and this model gun?

I was mistaken.

The revolver is an icon of the Civil Rights Act and the 2nd amendment, not the 19th.

 

[Michael Harless]

Touch that firearm with anything but a hollow ground screwdriver and the "do no harm" part of your oath is out the window, Doc.

Lots of experienced advice here. My advice is to heed that advice.

Yep, probably.

One thing that I have noticed as that after I discovered the gun, I've searched everywhere and have not found a gun cleaning kit. I know with certainty that she had a gun cleaning kit because I distinctly remember her using it when I was a little kid.

And there's a speed loader missing too. She had 2 speed loaders and I can only find one.

 

[Michael Harless]

I don't trust this old ammunition. How do you properly and safely dispose of old 1970's era ammunition?

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

You could watch this video and decide if you want to tackle this DIY.
Disassembly and Care of the S&W Revolver ~ Learn how to from a Factory Trained Armorer! - YouTube

^This is the video anyone thinking about disassembling a S&W revolver should watch first^

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I don't trust this old ammunition. How do you properly and safely dispose of old 1970's era ammunition?

No need to dispose of it. I have some ammo from the 60's for an old revolver that I still shoot once in awhile. It shoots just fine. But if you really want to get rid of it, send it to me. I'll pay postage.

 

[PeteC]

I don't trust this old ammunition. How do you properly and safely dispose of old 1970's era ammunition?

Simple: Sell it to a collector! Seriously: There are people who collect old ammo. Just make a listing in the classifieds.

 

[Michael Harless]

Simple: Sell it to a collector! Seriously: There are people who collect old ammo. Just make a listing in the classifieds.

That's interesting. I didn't know that old ammo was a collector's item.

I automatically viewed it as just an unnecessary safety hazard.

 

[lefty_jake]

I don't trust this old ammunition. How do you properly and safely dispose of old 1970's era ammunition?

That's interesting. I didn't know that old ammo was a collector's item.

I automatically viewed it as just an unnecessary safety hazard.

Under most circumstances, ammo from the 70's isn't old or collectible. It is just ammo. Unless we are talking about the 1870's. Then it really is collectible, and I probably wouldn't advise shooting it.

My rule of thumb for ammo that has been stored for a long time is that if it looks fine, then it probably is. This is especially true for ammo that has been stored in its box. If the ammo has been in a place where cardboard looks fine after 50 years, and the ammo shows no corrosion, then I would shoot it. Similarly, if the ammo is not very old, but the bullets look a little green and the box is crumbly and water stained, then I would not shoot the ammo, though it is still most likely to work.

 

[kbm6893]

I still shoot military surplus ammo from the 50's in my Garand's.

 

[growr]

ammo

I don't trust this old ammunition. How do you properly and safely dispose of old 1970's era ammunition?

Go fire them.....they WILL go bang!!

Randy