S&W .38 Special CTG

Dalton · August 24, 2012, 09:28 AM

Hey everyone, I had a guy that had this old hand me down 'S&W .38 Special CTG' It's a really old beat up gun with most of the finish gone. The cylinder would stick when you try to open it. He wanted it cleaned and working well enough to shoot. I took the side plate off, sprayed it with gun blaster, and hit it with a toothbrush. Then I wiped everything down and oiled it up. Put it back together. Cleaned and oiled the chamber and yoke while it was off as well.

Chamber would now swing freely when now when it was out of the gun, but would still stick. I played with it and found out that if I barely pushed back on the cylinder it would come out with no problem. I figure the front of the cylinder is getting caught on the little piece of barrel that juts out. I forget what it's called. Anyway, does anyone have a guess as to what's causing it to catch and what I could do to fix this? I also want to say that when I pushed on the ejector rod instead of the cylinder it also got loose and came out correctly, but I'd have to go do it again to make sure. Thanks for all the help.

ScottRiqui · August 24, 2012, 09:33 AM

Make sure that the ejector rod is screwed tightly into the cylinder - if it's started to work its way out, it can cause the cylinder to bind when you try to swing it out. Depending on the age of the pistol, the ejector rod could have left-handed threads, so make sure you're not loosening it by mistake.

Dalton · August 24, 2012, 06:41 PM

Thanks Scott. I thought the same thing. It screws and unscrew a little easier than it maybe should, but I have the same problem when it's screwed in tight. I've recently thought that maybe it had or needs a spacer. Does anyone know if this gun had one?

ScottRiqui · August 24, 2012, 07:13 PM

I'm not sure what model you have - are there any other markings? Patent dates, a model number inside the crane opening, etcetera?

August 24, 2012, 09:28 AM	#1
Dalton Junior Member Join Date: August 12, 2012 Posts: 11	S&W .38 Special CTG Hey everyone, I had a guy that had this old hand me down 'S&W .38 Special CTG' It's a really old beat up gun with most of the finish gone. The cylinder would stick when you try to open it. He wanted it cleaned and working well enough to shoot. I took the side plate off, sprayed it with gun blaster, and hit it with a toothbrush. Then I wiped everything down and oiled it up. Put it back together. Cleaned and oiled the chamber and yoke while it was off as well. Chamber would now swing freely when now when it was out of the gun, but would still stick. I played with it and found out that if I barely pushed back on the cylinder it would come out with no problem. I figure the front of the cylinder is getting caught on the little piece of barrel that juts out. I forget what it's called. Anyway, does anyone have a guess as to what's causing it to catch and what I could do to fix this? I also want to say that when I pushed on the ejector rod instead of the cylinder it also got loose and came out correctly, but I'd have to go do it again to make sure. Thanks for all the help.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

August 24, 2012, 09:33 AM	#2
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	Make sure that the ejector rod is screwed tightly into the cylinder - if it's started to work its way out, it can cause the cylinder to bind when you try to swing it out. Depending on the age of the pistol, the ejector rod could have left-handed threads, so make sure you're not loosening it by mistake.

August 24, 2012, 06:41 PM	#3
Dalton Junior Member Join Date: August 12, 2012 Posts: 11	Thanks Scott. I thought the same thing. It screws and unscrew a little easier than it maybe should, but I have the same problem when it's screwed in tight. I've recently thought that maybe it had or needs a spacer. Does anyone know if this gun had one?

August 24, 2012, 07:13 PM	#4
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	I'm not sure what model you have - are there any other markings? Patent dates, a model number inside the crane opening, etcetera?