Model 27 Stiff Crane

[mechawreck]

Hello all.

I was recently fortunate enough to inherit my wife's late grandfather's Model 27. Looks to be made around '52 and has a surprising amount of intact blued finish.

The barrel and cylinder were a bit dirty, but I made short work of it. I myself have only put a handful of rounds through it.

Recently however, the crane has become increasingly difficult to swing out. The turn is super stiff from beginning to end. I attempted to remove the crane assembly (removed the sideplate screw), but it won't come out and I'm hesitant to apply force to such an old piece.

Any thoughts or similar experience regarding why this part is seizing up?

 

[ken158]

Any chance you got the yoke screw switched with the lower plate screw?

 

[kthom]

If you removed the front screw on the sideplate (I believe you stated that you did), spray some Kroil, PB Blaster, or other good penetrating spray or liquid into that hole. Apply the same to the area where the yoke swivels in the frame. Let it sit for a bit, do it again, and after a bit, try to move the yoke. Continue this application and see if things don't get better.

That screw could be causing the problem while it is in place, but with it out, any binding caused by the screw should disappear. A good penetrating oil should do it's job fairly quickly but if it's really gunked up with old oil, it make take a while, as Collects has already stated. Let us know if this works for you.

 

[chief38]

mechawreck:

I hope you did not strip or bung up the screw to the point where it can't be removed with a proper bit.

First, spray the screw with Kroil and let sit/soak for a few hours. Secondly, assuming the screw has not been bunged up, insert the PROPER SIZED HOLLOW GROUND bit into a Drill Press and unplug the Drill Press so it does NOT go on by accident. Anchor the Revolver (making sure not to scratch or dent it) to the table of the DP and press down with the DP handle while turning the DP Chuck by hand. This has always been a great method for me. It gives great leverage and assures the bit won't turn out by accident. A helper may be a big assistance in doing this. If the screw is bunged up, simply replace it. These screws do require proper fitting and more than likely that is what is wrong with your original one (although it may NOT be original or fitted properly - hence the tightness.

Hope this helps. If not there are other procedures, but try this one first. Heat is another one and drilling is always a last resort. Get a new screw and fit properly when old screw s out. Not a hard part to find or fit.

 

[Rule3]

If it remains stiff for more than 4 hours please consult your Gunsmith.

Sorry I can't help it, this thread has so many ways to go wrong.

 

[Qball]

If it remains stiff for more than 4 hours please consult your Gunsmith.

Sorry I can't help it, this thread has so many ways to go wrong.