Sticky cylinder in an M57

[Kaumheimer]

The other day I was shooting my 57-0 and noted that it became difficult to cock the hammer--as if the cylinder was sticky or had bubble gum stuck inside. It was not impossible to do but intuitively it didn't seem right to force the issue. When the cylinder was disengaged, as if I was going to extract the empty cases it turned fine.

Needless to say, I stopped shooting, took the gun home, cleaned it up and it seems fine now. When I examined the gun, neither the barrel nor the forcing cone seemed leaded or excessively dirty.

I shoot a very light load in this gun. Usually 15-15.5 gn of 2400 for a Oregon Trail Lasercast 240 gn bullet.

The bullet manufacturer's data says the load should begin at 18.4 but this seems excessive. I don't like a lot of recoil and the load I'm shooting is extremely accurate for my purposes so I don't see the point.

However, I'm wondering if the light load is somehow causing this--maybe the powder isn't burning properly and some how gums up the works but I have no idea.

This sticky cylnder stuff has never happened before and I keep the gun very clean.

Any ideas?

mahalo

 

[GregG]

Did you pull the side plate and clean inside there?

If not, do so. A light load of slow powder will sometimes create a lot of soot that also gets inside of the action.

Good luck.

 

[Kaumheimer]

Thanks.

No, I didn't take it off. Didn't occur to me. As long as it's just a matter of unscrewing a few screws...

 

[Dan Cash]

Your extremely light load of 2400 is not burning completely. Particles of unburned powder are finding their way under the ejector star which, in turn, holds the star and cartridge cases back against the recoil shield. This is your cause of binding. You may also have unburned powder in the action but I doubt that it is sufficient to cause problems.

 

[n4zov]

Your extremely light load of 2400 is not burning completely. Particles of unburned powder are finding their way under the ejector star which, in turn, holds the star and cartridge cases back against the recoil shield. This is your cause of binding. You may also have unburned powder in the action but I doubt that it is sufficient to cause problems.

+1 If your routine cleaning restored the M57 to normal operation there is no reason to pop the side plate off unless you want to lubricate or there is some reason to suspect a problem inside. As you may know cast bullets generate more fouling than jacketed bullets and using a lower than recommended charge may cause more powder to be unburned and thus lead to more fouling.

 

[kennyb]

dropping below the powder charge on a given "recipe"can cause problems just as going above a given "recipe"can...

 

[GregG]

I just cleaned an N frame the other day that had a lot of soot inside the action. The hand window was especially dirty. I had to literally scrape the gunk out.

 

[Kaumheimer]

Thanks guys. This is very helpful. Sounds like it's a good idea to bring the load up to the minimum recommended by the manufacturer or switch powders.

I presume that to clean out the action involves a bit of surgery such as taking off the side plate?

 

[Steve C]

For a 240gr bullet in the .41 mag 15.1 to 15.5 gr isn't a "light load" and personally I'd be hesitant in loading at 18.4grs for a start since the Lyman book says 18.5 grs of 2400 is maximum for their 240gr bullet and start is 14.0grs for 915 fps. Your load should be running right around 1,000 fps.

Since you've been shooting lead bullets check your cylinder to forcing cone gap. Lead can build up on the face of the forcing cone enough to close the gap and jam up the revolver. Set of feeler gauges and a few careful passes with a flat file will put things back in order if this is the problem.

Another thing to check is the firing pin shield to see if you are getting any drag marks from primer that have backed out.

 

[Kaumheimer]

Mea culpa re the data I've given. I made a mistake by saying I was shooting a 240 gn bullet. It's actually a 215 gn SWC cast bullet. Oregon Trail says 18.4 gn of 2400 puts it at 1253 FPS and they max out at 19.6 at 1336 FPS.

Will check the gap between face of the forcing cone and cylinder for lead build up. To date, no leading on the barrel.

mahalo

 

[M29since14]

Dan Cash beat me to it. Lighter loads of 2400 do leave a bit of unburned powder. A kernel or two between extractor and the counterbore of the cylinder will cause the problem you describe.

I wouldn't worry about the load if you are happy with it and it is shooting well for you. Just take care to have a look for unburned powder in the extractor area as you are shooting and clean accordingly. I always got along pretty well with 2400 in reduced loads in the 44 Magnum and don't think the .41 would be different.

You're right not to force the revolver. The small parts involved in the operation of the cylinder can be damaged pretty easily. I always take some basic cleaning equipment to the range just for such needs. A few seconds with a brush, a q-tip, or maybe a few drops of oil, usually handles the problem and you can keep on shooting.