Model 25-5 Issue

[jimmyj]

Range time with my Model 25-5 6".
255 grain LFP with 8 grains Unique-shot great
200 grain JHP with 20 grains #4227 - shot great.

Issue: after last six rounds of 200 grain JHP cylinder very difficult to open.
once open and cases ejected, cylinder will not close ?
appears the front of the cylinder is touching the end of the forcing cone.

checked the ejector rod and it is tight.

Opinions ?

 

[Eddietruett]

Carbon build up on cylinder?

 

[Greyman50]

Check crane. Front side plate screw and end play in crane in frame. Most likely as posted above. Good cleaning with wally world brake cleaner.

 

[M29since14]

Unburned powder kernels underneath the extractor?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Carbon build up on cylinder?

That was my first thought too.

Where did you get that 4227 load? I checked a few books and the Hodgdon site and I don't see that powder listed for that cartridge/bullet combination.

 

[jimmyj]

That was my first thought too.

Where did you get that 4227 load? I checked a few books and the Hodgdon site and I don't see that powder listed for that cartridge/bullet combination.

Lyman #44 Handload Book. 200 grain JHP-maximun 4227 load is 22 grains. I loaded 20 grains. good load for me as recoil is ok and very accurate.

 

[Protocall_Design]

For a 45 Colt, 20 gr. would be about right. I'm shooting 18 gr. of 4227 in 44 Mag. with 300 gr. bullet. Velocity is around 1050 (just subsonic) and very good accuracy out to 200 m.

I would clean well under the extractor and on it's seat in the cylinder with a standard or wire toothbrush. Particles of debris fall on there during extraction of fired cases. This will occur with any brand of revolver. It's the #1 cause of cylinder binding.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Unburned powder kernels underneath the extractor?

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. Extractor can't properly seat, cylinder will not close without undue force. That is, if the extractor rod has not loosened and backed out, which OP said has not done so.

Use a faster burning powder, especially if it's a shorter barrel (4"), and you'll get less unburned powder. I use AA#5 @ 10gr. behind a 250 grain JHP or plated RNFP. Gives about 850 fps from a 4" barrel, never had an issue with unburned powder. 850 is plenty fast for target shooting, and I wouldn't load a M25 past 1000.

I have the described problem all the time with my M48-4 .22MRF; I use a 1" stiff paint brush after every cylinder ful to brush out under the extractor star, or it becomes non-functional from unburned powder grains keeping the star from seating. Even if you can get the cylinder to close, it makes it harder to turn and can damage the hand or the ratchets.

 

[jimmyj]

Thank everyone for the suggestions.
I followed everyone's advice and my revolver is back in working order

 

[Hair Trigger]

Thank everyone for the suggestions.
I followed everyone's advice and my revolver is back in working order

Good to hear. Shooting a M25-5 is a ton o' fun, I enjoy mine thoroughly. Let's see some pics of your toy. Here's mine.