Any J-Frame experts out there

[Buckmark]

I have a Smith j-frame ladysmith in .38 that i cannot get the cylinder to open, the button only moves forward a very small amount, not all the way to release the cylinder, anyone have this problem before? The gun is loaded at this time so i cannot play with the action to much.
I can shoot it out on saturday and play with it then if no one has any ideas.
Thanks, Frank.

[carpsniperg2]

i am no gun smith but do have several j frames. a few questions for you first. is there anyway that the gun is loaded with the wrong ammo? i have head of a revolver doing that with a older 38 and 357 shells but most j frames wont let 357 fit in the 38 cylinder. just had to ask if it is doubble action make sure the cylinder will spin bu coking the hammer. if you can i myself would feel fine to shoot the gun and then play with it to see if i could get it open but if anything above is not right take it to a gunsmith that knows what the hell they are doing.

[littlebuf]

excuse me ahead of time for forgeting the proper name for the part of the pistol. but make sure the plunger? is screwed all the way in. I'm talking about the rod that you push back to empty the cylinder after firering. if its loose that plate can come back and cause it to stick in the frame, especially when its loaded.

[CP]

excuse me ahead of time for forgeting the proper name for the part of the pistol. but make sure the plunger? is screwed all the way in. I'm talking about the rod that you push back to empty the cylinder after firering. if its loose that plate can come back and cause it to stick in the frame, especially when its loaded.

 

Common problem on S&W revolvers, if the plunger unscrews a little it won't open properly.  If I remember correctly they are left headed threads. 

[littlebuf]

oh yeah and dont kill your self screwing with that thing 

[Buckmark]

All good questions:
1) Yes correct ammo (same stuff she has been loading in it for years)
2) Yes i can rotate the cylinder if i move the hammer back
3) I have not checked the pin for the cylinder yet, but the cylinder is not hangingup/getting stuck, the release will not fully go forward.
*
This is a gun she has had for along time and has been trouble free and unmodified.
She went to unload it the other day and could not get it to open.
I will shoot it out on Saturday if a cannot get it open before that and will post what i find was the problem.

[Buckmark]

oh yeah and dont kill your self screwing with that thing 

, last night i was looking it over and wishing i was at my place in eastern wa where i could just go out front and shoot it clear and fix it.
I have big hands and that little thing has a trigger that gets in the way.

[littlebuf]

did you check the plunger? it could be loose and the cylinder still be able to rotate but the plate is not letting the release come all the way forward. one of my j frames recently did just that the other day

[ecnclan]

Common problem on S&W revolvers, if the plunger unscrews a little it won't open properly.  If I remember correctly they are left headed threads. 

 

[Buckmark]

I checked the plunger this evening and it's fine.  Pretty sure the problem is in the "release" button - it won't move forward.

Thanks for all the responses this far - I'll probably end up shooting it empty tomorrow and taking it apart. 

[woodswalker]

if the ejector rod has partially unscrewed itself you will NOT be able to move the release button more than a smidge. 

Its a bit dicy with it LOADED....so maybe shoot it empty, then using a wooden dowel and turning the cylinder to tighten the ejector you can get it open then tighten the ejector with pliers padded w/ leather against the cylinder.

As noted...its likely LH threads..but they DID change it but I cannot recall WHEN or which way it was changed at the time.....right off the top of my head and at work.

[Buckmark]

Update 1/13/10
I got it to open with a bit of effort, did not shoot myself in the process.
I found the release had a burr on it and would catch inside the frame of the pistol.
Took everything apart and polished all and any edge i could find on both the release and the cylinder pin.
Works like a swiss watch now.
Thanks for the replies guys..

[littlebuf]

good to hear. i was wondering