S&W snubbie....cylinder arm comes off

GM1967 · November 28, 2014, 04:28 PM

I went to look at my S&W model 37 snub today, and after opening the action, could not close it. Mystified, I fiddled with it for a few seconds, and found the cylinder arm was able to slide forward on its axis right off the frame. I cleaned it a bit while it was out, then put it back in, and I was able to close the cylinder. However, every time I open it now, I have to close it very carefully or it does the same thing.

So....how are you supposed to remove the cylinder from the frame? What holds it in? I'm guessing something is broken or came loose inside.

The revolver is a S&W Model 37 made in about 1959-1960. Is this something I can fix myself, or will it need to go to a gunsmith?

Clark · November 28, 2014, 04:32 PM

Sounds like you have a screw loose.

Clark · November 28, 2014, 04:37 PM

I made a picture

GM1967 · November 28, 2014, 04:52 PM

Thanks, that screw was indeed slightly loose....wasn't noticeable until I took a screwdriver to it. Tightened it up and it seems to have fixed the problem.

Sevens · December 1, 2014, 02:44 AM

Awesome.

If you didn't laugh at the picture, you're dead inside.

RKG · December 3, 2014, 12:42 PM

I'd take a look at that screw. From the factory, it has a section at the nose on which the threads have been milled off. This section fits into a groove on the yoke barrel -- without bottoming in that groove.

A proper screw will still retain the yoke barrel, even when loose. If a small amount of tightening results in a change from unrestrained to restrained, I suspect someone has replaced the screw with an improper one.

James K · December 4, 2014, 01:31 AM

Yet another change to the new S&W's is the use of a screw that does not require any filing or special orientation to properly retain the yoke.

Jim

Old Stony · December 4, 2014, 06:08 AM

Not unusual to find the screws have been put into the wrong places when someone disassembles the revolver. Just make sure the proper screw with no threads on the end is in that position.

James K · December 6, 2014, 11:01 PM

At different times, S&W used different screw setups. In the four screw sideplate, the top one was unique, with a large head. The bottom one had an unthreated tip. The front one was the same, but with one side of the tip filed flat to fit into the yoke spindle and retain the yoke. The rear one in the older guns was the same as the bottom screw, and the "Magna" stock was drilled out for the rounded head; later the screw was shortened and the head flattened to fit under the stock without drilling the stock.

In the current setup, the front screw uses a conical insert and a small spring. with the yoke spindle a triangular groove. That idea (shamelessly borrowed from Colt, maybe with permission) obviates the need for special fitting of the front screw and eliminates wear on the spindle.

Jim

Sevens · December 6, 2014, 11:18 PM

Your knowledge base of screws rivals that of Dr. Ruth!

James K · December 6, 2014, 11:25 PM

The other kind is more fun.

Jim

November 28, 2014, 04:28 PM	#1
GM1967 Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2010 Location: Delaware - formerly NJ Posts: 276	S&W snubbie....cylinder arm comes off I went to look at my S&W model 37 snub today, and after opening the action, could not close it. Mystified, I fiddled with it for a few seconds, and found the cylinder arm was able to slide forward on its axis right off the frame. I cleaned it a bit while it was out, then put it back in, and I was able to close the cylinder. However, every time I open it now, I have to close it very carefully or it does the same thing. So....how are you supposed to remove the cylinder from the frame? What holds it in? I'm guessing something is broken or came loose inside. The revolver is a S&W Model 37 made in about 1959-1960. Is this something I can fix myself, or will it need to go to a gunsmith?

November 28, 2014, 04:32 PM	#2
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	Sounds like you have a screw loose. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

December 1, 2014, 02:44 AM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Awesome. If you didn't laugh at the picture, you're dead inside. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

December 6, 2014, 11:18 PM	#10
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Your knowledge base of screws rivals that of Dr. Ruth! __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 28, 2014, 04:52 PM	#4
GM1967 Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2010 Location: Delaware - formerly NJ Posts: 276	Thanks, that screw was indeed slightly loose....wasn't noticeable until I took a screwdriver to it. Tightened it up and it seems to have fixed the problem.

December 3, 2014, 12:42 PM	#6
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 562	I'd take a look at that screw. From the factory, it has a section at the nose on which the threads have been milled off. This section fits into a groove on the yoke barrel -- without bottoming in that groove. A proper screw will still retain the yoke barrel, even when loose. If a small amount of tightening results in a change from unrestrained to restrained, I suspect someone has replaced the screw with an improper one.

December 4, 2014, 01:31 AM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Yet another change to the new S&W's is the use of a screw that does not require any filing or special orientation to properly retain the yoke. Jim

December 4, 2014, 06:08 AM	#8
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	Not unusual to find the screws have been put into the wrong places when someone disassembles the revolver. Just make sure the proper screw with no threads on the end is in that position.

December 6, 2014, 11:01 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	At different times, S&W used different screw setups. In the four screw sideplate, the top one was unique, with a large head. The bottom one had an unthreated tip. The front one was the same, but with one side of the tip filed flat to fit into the yoke spindle and retain the yoke. The rear one in the older guns was the same as the bottom screw, and the "Magna" stock was drilled out for the rounded head; later the screw was shortened and the head flattened to fit under the stock without drilling the stock. In the current setup, the front screw uses a conical insert and a small spring. with the yoke spindle a triangular groove. That idea (shamelessly borrowed from Colt, maybe with permission) obviates the need for special fitting of the front screw and eliminates wear on the spindle. Jim

December 6, 2014, 11:25 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The other kind is more fun. Jim