18+ Content Warning

By clicking Enter, you confirm you are 18 years of age or older and agree to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Notice: Any content or member activity - including anything you may buy, sell, transfer, or discuss - must comply with current and upcoming laws.

Members are encouraged to stay informed: California Firearm Laws: 2026 Outlook & 2025 Recap . Responsibility for compliance rests solely with the individual member.

  • Welcome

    Welcome to CAguns

    Join California’s gun owner community. Create a free account to join discussions and explore member features.

S&W J frame cylinder sticking

M_N04H

Unknown member
CAguns Supporter
2026 2 25+ 2 Mostest
Messages
1,502
Classified ads
3
J frame, 38spl, 5 chambers.

When pushing the cylinder release, it sticks on 3 chambers. The two with dumb rds open easy. Tried cleaning, oil... Any suggestions? Rod doesn't seem loose.
 

Attachments

  • 1000023813.webp
    1000023813.webp
    37.9 KB · Views: 24
Possible bent crane. With the cylinder closed push it and look at the Gap between the crane and the frame. If it is excessive it needs to be adjusted. If you are in the Southern California area I can take a look at it for you.
 
Will have a peak in a bit ty. The thing works and shoots but this part is annoying.
 
Possible bent crane. With the cylinder closed push it and look at the Gap between the crane and the frame. If it is excessive it needs to be adjusted. If you are in the Southern California area I can take a look at it for you.
Ok so I checked it out but it looks ok. But it's very possible I'm not understanding what you mean by excessive.
 
Any play in the crane can cause the cylinder to drag and stick. Think of it as the cylinder being canted to the left or right and as it spins it will drag.
If you wish to call me please do.
 
Where are you located? One of my 66-1’s is starting to bind and I don’t want to send it back to SW as it’s had a nice trigger job since the late 80’s. They 🍆 one of my other pistols over and told me to send it to the pro shop next time.
 
Any play in the crane can cause the cylinder to drag and stick. Think of it as the cylinder being canted to the left or right and as it spins it will drag.
If you wish to call me please do.
My question too. Where in Socal?
 
Where are you located? One of my 66-1’s is starting to bind and I don’t want to send it back to SW as it’s had a nice trigger job since the late 80’s. They 🍆 one of my other pistols over and told me to send it to the pro shop next time.
I'm located in Monterey Park Ca 91754. 323-722-3903
 
I am in Van Nuys and I do this type of work as well.
If the cylinder/crane are not sloppy, the chambers just may need to be honed/polished so make the cases eject easier.
 
gun open fine without rounds? With gun UNLOADED. half trigger pull to release cylinder stop.. Does cylinder spins freely?

With the DUMMY rounds, do the half trigger pull again. do you feel dragging?

Is this happening right from the beginning or after a shooting it?

Are there swipe marks on the recoil shield and firing pin area or on the cases? Ignore the swipe mark from the center pin. Looking for areas of the cases are rubbing the shield

Have Picture of the fired rounds? Are they primer cratering like the dummy rounds?
 
It's the entire cylinder, or rather, releasing the entire cylinder is when it sticks. When lined up with 3 chambers and only these 3 specifically, the the act of releasing the cyliner has it stick before completely releasing. Compared to the remaining 2 chambers, when lined up with the other 2 chambers, it's a smooth release of the cylinder. Whether or not the chambers are loaded is irrelevant. The cylinder sticks with or without anything in the chambers.
 
Wish you guys were a tad closer. If I can't fix this, I'll reach out.
 
It's the entire cylinder, or rather, releasing the entire cylinder is when it sticks. When lined up with 3 chambers and only these 3 specifically, the the act of releasing the cyliner has it stick before completely releasing. Compared to the remaining 2 chambers, when lined up with the other 2 chambers, it's a smooth release of the cylinder. Whether or not the chambers are loaded is irrelevant. The cylinder sticks with or without anything in the chambers.
Is there buildup on the cylinder face, causing the cylinder to be rubbing the breech end of the barrel on those 3 holes?
 
Is there buildup on the cylinder face, causing the cylinder to be rubbing the breech end of the barrel on those 3 holes?
No it's clean. I checked if the cylinder was rubbing the breech as the cylinder turned, and it did not throughout all 5.
 
J frame, 38spl, 5 chambers.

When pushing the cylinder release, it sticks on 3 chambers. The two with dumb rds open easy. Tried cleaning, oil... Any suggestions? Rod doesn't seem loose.
Cylinders need to be reamed. If you are local, we can handle this for you
 
Back
Top Bottom