model 63 4" came apart

[3daman!]

Recently acquired a model 63 4", that seem to be in good to excellent condition.
A few days ago i took my nephew out to shoot this little pop-gun and after about 300 rounds the cylinder and crane assembly fell out from the frame.
Nothing looks broken on the crane shaft. No wear marks. No metal shavings or crumbly little metal pieces falling out.

The hammer and trigger are both now locked up!

Has any thing like this happened to anyone else?
I was hopeing to find a schematic but so far no such luck.
Is there any good web sites to help me with the diagnoses.
I have looked at the Midway videos posted on you-tube, but was needing a little more in depth knowledge.
Thanks in advance for any info that be given on this "minor" problem
DAVE

 

[scha]

Sounds like the screw that retains the crane fell out and allowed the crane and cylinder to fall out. This should not be much of a problem. Reinstall the crane and cylinder and get a new screw (unless you found the old one). Once you reinstall the cylinder and crane, is the action still locked up?

Steve

 

[Camster]

I agree with scha (perhaps the screw backed out-it's the one on the right side,toward the front of the gun).The gun should function when the cylinder is installed and closed.

 

[jspick]

That screw had to be loose and ready to fall out that holds the yoke in. That is what allowed the cylinder and yoke to fall out.

How did you cock the hammer back after the cylinder came out? Or how did you get the cylinder open after it was cocked?

Something doesn't sound right as with the cylinder out you should be able to pull the trigger and drop the hammer. To cock the hammer with the cylinder out can only be done while holding the cylinder release latch back.

John

 

[3daman!]

There are no screws missing.

 

[s&wchad]

Yes, the front sideplate screw retains the yoke. It's possible the screws were switched or it's just loose.

The hammer and trigger will be locked until you reinstall and close the cylinder. To bypass this safety feature that keeps you from cocking the hammer when the cylinder's open, hold the cylinder release latch back. If you close the cylinder on a cocked gun, you can damage the hand.

 

[3daman!]

O.K.
I have the crane arm back into the frame. Seems the larger screw was loose.Tightened up the said screw and ever thing seems to function the way it should.
Thanks gentleman for the replies and help!
DAVE

 

[IraIII]

The hammer will not cock if the thumb latch is in the forward position. The centering pin in the cylinder assembly pushes the latch rearward when the cylinder is closed allowing the hammer to be cocked.
The screws on the sideplate I believe can be put into the wrong spot. The upper rearward one is flat, but the other two are the same profile. The difference is in the front one there is an unthreaded portion on the end that engages the slot on the crane to hold the cylinder in place. Remove the two lower screws and make sure the correct one is in place to hold the crane.

 

[H Richard]

Some of the newer yoke retention screws have the new spring loaded pressure point in them. Call S&W and give them the S/N and they will send you the correct screw. Look at the yoke, the groove which the screw rides in, is it "V" grooved or square cut? If "V" grooved it is the new type screw.

You can't cock the gun or work the action with the cylinder & yoke removed, (unless you press the cylinder latch to the rear as you cock the hammer back or use the trigger).

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

He said the Larger screw so I assumed it was the newer style with the spring loaded End Shake Screw..
These come with Red Loctite on them factory..
It's put on & dried before instalation on the screws threads..