bullet removal

beach · September 14, 2008, 03:17 PM

I fired possibly two rounds in which neither round exited the barrel, too little powder, in a 5 shot S&W. cannot drive out because the cylinder will not open, tried to drill out, removed all lead but copper jacket is stuck any advice or shoud I take it to a gunsmith?

Smoke & Recoil · September 14, 2008, 04:32 PM

If it were mine, I'd go ahead and try to drive them back with a wooden dowel rod atleast until one bullet has reentered the cylinder, but timing
would be important, as soon as the first bullet reentered the cylinder,
STOP so that you will be able to open the cylinder to finish the removal
of the last bullet. Good luck.

Superhouse 15 · September 14, 2008, 08:40 PM

Yes, to the gunsmith. Too much of a risk of damage with the squibs and drilling in the barrel. Take it to someone with the correct tools and such. Should cost less than $20 which is much less than a new barrel.

And if the Beach is in FL, PM me, I'll do it.

WSM MAGNUM · September 15, 2008, 09:16 AM

If you are going to try to drive the bullets out yourself, I would recommend you use a brass rod. You can try the wood (use a hardwood rod) but depending on how far they are wedged in the barrel, the brass rod will make it easier.
Put some lube down the barrel too.

**James K** · September 15, 2008, 02:55 PM

ONCE AGAIN!!!!

DO NOT TRY TO DRIVE OUT A BORE OBSTRUCTION USING A WOOD DOWEL.!!!!!

All that will happen is that the dowel will splinter and then you will have the original obstruction PLUS pieces of wood stuck in the barrel.

Jim

**Unclenick** · September 15, 2008, 03:26 PM

That's the truth! Been some horrendous times had trying to figure out how to remove hardwood dowel wedged in a barrel and swollen with oil or moisture. And it all stems from the stuck bullet problem.

KG-12 copper removing bore cleaner will eat the copper out. You need to plug the muzzle and fill the bore. Perhaps a hypodermic needle could be used to inject liquid through a Neoprene stopper? Or maybe the Jacket is making its own plug if it hasn't been drilled through? In that case, turn gun upside down with barrel tilted slightly up and fill with cleaner. When the bottom of the jacket is eaten through, the cleaner dribbles out the barrel/cylinder gap and onto the top strap of the frame. No harm done.

An Outer's FoulOut could eventually remove the jacket electrolytically. Same problem with filling the bore. This is really a jacket metal variant on the perennial "case stuck so fast in the sizing die the head rips off when you try to use a stuck case remover" problem. In this instance, chemistry could be your friend.

Jim Watson · September 15, 2008, 03:27 PM

Now you have already drilled through the stuck bullets, it will be even more difficult to drive the jackets out. Get it to a pro. Most likely the barrel will be bulged and ruined anyhow, if you slammed another one into the one already stuck.

Is the gun still loaded with live rounds? Be sure the gunsmith knows.

GEM · September 15, 2008, 04:54 PM

+1 on gunsmith.

beach · September 22, 2008, 09:45 PM

removed one bullet myself then took it to a gunsmith before I made it worse, thanks for the advice

September 14, 2008, 03:17 PM	#1
beach Junior Member Join Date: August 5, 2008 Posts: 4	bullet removal I fired possibly two rounds in which neither round exited the barrel, too little powder, in a 5 shot S&W. cannot drive out because the cylinder will not open, tried to drill out, removed all lead but copper jacket is stuck any advice or shoud I take it to a gunsmith?

September 14, 2008, 08:40 PM	#3
Superhouse 15 Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2007 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 844	Gunsmith Yes, to the gunsmith. Too much of a risk of damage with the squibs and drilling in the barrel. Take it to someone with the correct tools and such. Should cost less than $20 which is much less than a new barrel. And if the Beach is in FL, PM me, I'll do it.

September 15, 2008, 09:16 AM	#4
WSM MAGNUM Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 740	If you are going to try to drive the bullets out yourself, I would recommend you use a brass rod. You can try the wood (use a hardwood rod) but depending on how far they are wedged in the barrel, the brass rod will make it easier. Put some lube down the barrel too. __________________ Henry - Life NRA Member, GOA Member If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

September 15, 2008, 02:55 PM	#5
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,408	ONCE AGAIN!!!! DO NOT TRY TO DRIVE OUT A BORE OBSTRUCTION USING A WOOD DOWEL.!!!!! All that will happen is that the dowel will splinter and then you will have the original obstruction PLUS pieces of wood stuck in the barrel. Jim __________________ Jim K

September 15, 2008, 03:26 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,143	That's the truth! Been some horrendous times had trying to figure out how to remove hardwood dowel wedged in a barrel and swollen with oil or moisture. And it all stems from the stuck bullet problem. KG-12 copper removing bore cleaner will eat the copper out. You need to plug the muzzle and fill the bore. Perhaps a hypodermic needle could be used to inject liquid through a Neoprene stopper? Or maybe the Jacket is making its own plug if it hasn't been drilled through? In that case, turn gun upside down with barrel tilted slightly up and fill with cleaner. When the bottom of the jacket is eaten through, the cleaner dribbles out the barrel/cylinder gap and onto the top strap of the frame. No harm done. An Outer's FoulOut could eventually remove the jacket electrolytically. Same problem with filling the bore. This is really a jacket metal variant on the perennial "case stuck so fast in the sizing die the head rips off when you try to use a stuck case remover" problem. In this instance, chemistry could be your friend. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Patron Member

September 14, 2008, 04:32 PM	#2
Smoke & Recoil Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: East shore of Lake Michigan. Posts: 55	If it were mine, I'd go ahead and try to drive them back with a wooden dowel rod atleast until one bullet has reentered the cylinder, but timing would be important, as soon as the first bullet reentered the cylinder, STOP so that you will be able to open the cylinder to finish the removal of the last bullet. Good luck.

September 15, 2008, 03:27 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,667	Now you have already drilled through the stuck bullets, it will be even more difficult to drive the jackets out. Get it to a pro. Most likely the barrel will be bulged and ruined anyhow, if you slammed another one into the one already stuck. Is the gun still loaded with live rounds? Be sure the gunsmith knows.

September 15, 2008, 04:54 PM	#8
GEM Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Near St. Louis Posts: 45	+1 on gunsmith. __________________ A Matter of Timing - A 425 page must-read novel for all gun enthusiasts. *The Cataclysm Scroll*, its sequel, is now available! Links, sneak previews & more info here: www.gmillercompanies.com

September 22, 2008, 09:45 PM	#9
beach Junior Member Join Date: August 5, 2008 Posts: 4	removed one bullet myself then took it to a gunsmith before I made it worse, thanks for the advice