S&W mod. 28 Highway Patrolman trigger seized

[Bad_karma101]

Hi,
I own a S&W mod. 28 Highway Patrolman .357 Mag. that has developed an issue in which the trigger will not "pull", as if it's locked up.
When I push in the cylinder release latch, while its being held pushed "in", I can pull the trigger, and the cylinder cycles, hammer drops, etc.
What would be my next course of action to look at in determining the problem?
Thanks!

 

[ken158]

There are a number of things that could cause your issue and you should take your 28 to a gunsmith. Hang out here and maybe a local gunsmith or a factory armorer will join in and check it out for you.

 

[AudieMurphy]

I'm guessing by you meaning "pushed in" as by pushing forward? theres no way the hammer can be drawn back or trigger pulled by pushing the cylinder release forward....because the hammer is blocked from even moving ..if it did move someone has been doing some hacking on the cylinder release sliding bar(I guess thats what its called)

 

[bobsguns]

If you know enough to safely do so, *I* would pop off the side plate for an internal inspection.

Obviously something isn't right inside.

 

[minconrevo]

If you lack the proper tools and knowledge to remove the sideplate, please leave it alone. Find a pistolsmith with experience in S&W revolvers or perhaps a retired police agency armorer with the tools and skills.

Often all old revolvers need is a detailed cleaning, done by one of the two individuals mentioned above.

 

[bananaman]

Have you tried to lubricate it well after cleaning? My revolvers get gummed up if that they have sat without exercise.( shooting) Bob

 

[A10]

As Ken said, there are a number of things this could be. If you are mechanically inclined there are plenty of good vids on Youtube on how to properly remove the side plate for inspection and/or cleaning. The real key is to use a properly sized flat ground screwdriver and remembering which screws go where.

Could be that the internals are gummed up.

 

[Yendor357]

Locked up 28 is the perfect excuse, l mean reason to buy a new gun!

 

[Engine49guy]

Welcome to the forum,
If you lived near me in Florida I'd offer to take it apart clean and inspect it but Mn is a tad far from Boca Raton Fl.

As stated there are plenty of YouTube videos detailing how to properly disassemble a SW revolver, it's not hard once you've done it a few times and know the tricks.
Hard to diagnose but it's either going to be it's gummed up inside or has a mechanical issue.

 

[kscharlie]

I suggest you post your question in the https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/ section of the forum.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

What would be my next course of action to look at in determining the problem?
Thanks!

Take it to a Professional Gunsmith.

I am thinking its gummed up from lack of proper maintenance. Old revolvers never get the proper cleaning and lubrication they need.

 

[Yendor357]

If you think it’s gummed up, and WD-40 will do that, before you spend money at a gunsmith, take the grips off and start squirting the nether regions of you revolver with starting fluid. That will desolve a lot of gunk.

 

[jrog100]

trade it in.

 

[jrog100]

The first thing I'd check is the ejector rod. Make sure that sucker hasnt "unscrewed" itself.

 

[ispcapt]

The real key is to use a properly sized flat ground screwdriver and remembering which screws go where.

And don't pry off the side plate. Give the frame a few whacks and the side plate will pop off. Prying off will mess up the side plate seam where it fits to the frame.

 

[Bad_karma101]

Mod. 28 Highway Patrolman

Thanks for the replies! I'm thinking it's probably gummed up. This gun has been a " safe queen" for many years, and one that both my father and later, myself, carried on duty. Never abused, so hopefully a detailed cleaning will do the trick. I have the tools, and it will be a good winter project.

 

[daveboy]

I'm guessing by you meaning "pushed in" as by pushing forward? theres no way the hammer can be drawn back or trigger pulled by pushing the cylinder release forward....because the hammer is blocked from even moving ..if it did move someone has been doing some hacking on the cylinder release sliding bar(I guess thats what its called)

That is exactly what I was thinking. If you can operate the gun with the latch release pressed forward (toward the muzzle), then something major-league is wrong.

 

[steelslaver]

The center pin, the barrel under lug tooth that mates to the ejector rod or the thumb piece and its slide are gummed up and the center pin isn't pressing the thumb piece back, which means the hammer can't move. Lazy fix is take off the grips and spray lots of brake cleaner inside on rod, lug etc while operating it all,

Best is tear down, clean with brake cleaner use a Q tip barely damp with synthetic motor oil to touch pivot and slide surfaces and areas

And never ever put WD40 on it again

 

[Bad_karma101]

Thanks for the reply. I took off the side plate, -it didnt look gummed up, nothing looked obviously broken, either. I think the problem is in the cylinder release/ ejector rod. I cant release the cylinder. I tried tightening the ejector rod, which was a bit loose, but apparently not enough to prevent it allowing the cylinder to swing open.
The cylinder release is stuck in the " forward position"? There is spring tension when I try pulling it rearward- or back to the normal closed position.

 

[Shotguncoach]

Just to ask the question, which way did you turn things as you were "tightening" the ejector rod? You may unscrewed the rod until it is jammed against the forward latch. Try going the other way....