S&W 2-1/2" snubbies

[Cariboo Canuck]

Just signed on board. I'm on the other side of the DMZ, hence my handle. I'm located in the central Cariboo region of British Columbia.
Over the last few years, any time I've had an issue or question about S&W revolvers, I've looked on this forum, so I thought I'd sign up.

I currently own a M29 4", a couple of M17s (one 6", one 4"), a M60, a M66 4'', a M66 2-1/2" (bought 'as new') and I just bought a M19 2-1/2" I haven't picked up yet. It was only fed a diet of factory semi-wadcutters and used in PPC competition by a cop. The gun appears to be little used.

Some have pinned barrels and recessed chambers, others not, so I own a mixed bag. I've used all the centrefires at one time or another in IPSC and lately IDPA. I find the 2-1/2" models ideal for the game. The M66 wears Ahrens grips, the ones with the flat areas in the finger grooves and the M19 is coming with Pachmayr rubber grips. That may change depending on how I like the rubber grips.

I ended up putting skate board tape in the finger grooves and on the back strap as I found the finish to be too slippery for my liking. Looks ugly, but it works.

Just got Ahrens Retro Combat grips for the 4" M66 and believe it or not, I find them a little too large for my little paws. I went back to the black plastic Safariland grips I'm familiar with.

Question - frequently, a casing will not eject from one chamber of my M66 snubby. Is it likely that I have one tight chamber? If so, what is the cure.

Thanks for your help.

 

[GerSan69]

Hi CC, Welcome!
I've noticed in my own short-barreled revolvers that fired cases do occasionally hang up when I try to eject. The main reason in my case seems to be that because the 2 and 2.5" guns have a short rod, you don't get a stroke that's the full length of the fired case. If you don't already, smack that thing sharply with the palm of your hand when ejecting. That might help.
Now, if you suspect that you have a flaw in one chamber, I suggest using a grease pencil to mark the cylinder so you know if it's the same chamber every time or it's random. Then go shoot a box of ammo and see what you get. Low-tech but it's a lot easier than trying to count from the letter they stamp on the back of the cylinder after every 6 rounds fired. I've done that and it's a great way to keep track. Also: keep the brass that hangs up, especially if it's always one chamber. There may be marks on it that could indicate if the chamber was improperly bored. (It's not a given that telltale marks will be present, but every bit of info that you gather for whomever will fix your gun is useful.) Good luck!

 

[Cariboo Canuck]

Thanks for the input!

I'll carry a Sharpie with me next time I shoot the gun and mark the chamber. There is nothing I can see with the naked eye when the chamber are spotless.
Yeah, I'm aware of the short ejector rod on the snubbies being an issue, especially with magnum brass. I'm shooting .38 Spl. only in IDPA, so that helps a little.
I can't pin it down to any particular brand of brass, it seems to be random.
I'm looking forward to my 'new to me' M19 snubby. The previous owner said it had been "tuned" for PPC. All my other guns are basically stock.

A sad fact is that on this side of the DMZ, if you did not own a 12(6) 'prohibited' (4" barrel or less) handgun before 1995, you never will. Those of us 'grandfathered' (read delayed confiscation) can only sell to another such person.
My wife cannot inherit my 'prohib' guns for longer than it takes to sell them.

"Gun Control"/registration/classification = confiscation.

 

[Peak53]

It could possibly be a dirty chamber in your 66. Going by the looks of the chamber is not fail safe in my experience. A very thorough scrubbing with a brass brush and bore cleaner may be in order; more aggressive polishing might be called for if that doesn't work. Given your experience, you may already know this.

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome B.C. resident! I've lived in Alaska for nearly 34 years, so I've often traveled through your beautiful Province. I also have many friends there. I'm glad you signed up here.

As a VN vet, I was a bit confused at first by your reference to the "DMZ" and for a moment I thought you lived in Hanoi.

Cheers!

 

[dcopper]

Welcome my Brother from across the border! You picked a great piece to begin your forum experience with. There are a great bunch of knowlegible people here! Again welcome from Arkansas.

Regards
dcopper
aka Larry

 

[Cariboo Canuck]

The snubby 66 and M19 are the guns I would carry IF we had CCW laws in this gun paranoid country.
And it isn't for a lack of semi-autos in this household with several 1911s and CZ SP01 'Shadows' in our gun safes.

I always clean the chambers with a brass brush after a couple of hundred rds. I may try using some 'lead-away' cloth in all the chambers.

I use the term 'DMZ' as our once "open border" is no longer "open". I used to attend CAS events as far away as Cody, Wyoming and Couer d'Alene, Idaho but not any more. Too much hassle at the border, especially getting back into my own country with the guns I left with!

I get all the shooting I want this side with a lot less hassle. Life is too short.

 

[shotguntom]

Welcome B.C. resident! I've lived in Alaska for nearly 34 years, so I've often traveled through your beautiful Province. I also have many friends there. I'm glad you signed up here.

As a VN vet, I was a bit confused at first by your reference to the "DMZ" and for a moment I thought you lived in Hanoi.

Cheers!

Thats exactly what I thought at first. Lol.
Welcome to the forum