S&W Cylinder Disassembly?

Oldspeed · June 19, 2000, 06:15 PM

Hello,
I was wondering if special tools are required to disassemble a S&W cylinder to install endshake washers? Brownells stocks a special tool that clamps to the ejector rod to unscrew it and prevent maring. They also carry a tool with brass insets that fits in the chambers to prevent ejector spline and pin damage. Can you do the same with Vice Grips with padded jaws on the ejector rod and fired cases in the cylinder? How tight does the factory tighten the rod? Are the threads right or left handed?
Thanks

George Stringer · June 19, 2000, 07:36 PM

Oldspeed, I normally hold the ejector rod in a padded vise, insert 3 empty cases and turn the cylinder counterclockwise. For really tight ones, I will use two extra cases leaving them protruding and opposite of each other. Put a wood dowel between them and use it as a T handle. George

BBBBill · June 19, 2000, 07:48 PM

Oldspeed, do you have a pre-war or post-war gun? The rods are threaded opposite before and after WW2. I forget which is which at the moment, but thought I'd better speak up before you tackled it.

Grayfox · June 19, 2000, 09:38 PM

Uh oh, now I'm confused. I though the ejector rod was a left hand thread, but if George is turning counter clockwise to loosen that would be right handed. Been a while since I took one apart. Which is it?

------------------
There's no such thing as too much love, too much money or too much ammo.

[This message has been edited by Grayfox (edited June 19, 2000).]

Neil H · June 20, 2000, 12:09 AM

How old is your Smith?

I have several manufactured back in the 1970's (prior to Smith retooling to CNC machines & changing the cylendar design to reduce the number of parts). All mine have left hand threads on the ejector rod (turn clockwise to loosen).

I'm not sure about the ones manufactured since the retool.

You could call Smith (AKA The Evil Empire), and ask them.

George Stringer · June 20, 2000, 07:16 AM

Bbbill is right. The post war guns are left hand thread. Sorry for the half info. George

June 19, 2000, 06:15 PM	#1
Oldspeed Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Posts: 96	Hello, I was wondering if special tools are required to disassemble a S&W cylinder to install endshake washers? Brownells stocks a special tool that clamps to the ejector rod to unscrew it and prevent maring. They also carry a tool with brass insets that fits in the chambers to prevent ejector spline and pin damage. Can you do the same with Vice Grips with padded jaws on the ejector rod and fired cases in the cylinder? How tight does the factory tighten the rod? Are the threads right or left handed? Thanks

June 19, 2000, 07:36 PM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Oldspeed, I normally hold the ejector rod in a padded vise, insert 3 empty cases and turn the cylinder counterclockwise. For really tight ones, I will use two extra cases leaving them protruding and opposite of each other. Put a wood dowel between them and use it as a T handle. George

June 19, 2000, 07:48 PM	#3
BBBBill Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2000 Location: Alabama Posts: 197	Oldspeed, do you have a pre-war or post-war gun? The rods are threaded opposite before and after WW2. I forget which is which at the moment, but thought I'd better speak up before you tackled it.

June 19, 2000, 09:38 PM	#4
Grayfox Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Posts: 1,885	Uh oh, now I'm confused. I though the ejector rod was a left hand thread, but if George is turning counter clockwise to loosen that would be right handed. Been a while since I took one apart. Which is it? ------------------ There's no such thing as too much love, too much money or too much ammo. [This message has been edited by Grayfox (edited June 19, 2000).]

June 20, 2000, 12:09 AM	#5
Neil H Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2000 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Posts: 3	How old is your Smith? I have several manufactured back in the 1970's (prior to Smith retooling to CNC machines & changing the cylendar design to reduce the number of parts). All mine have left hand threads on the ejector rod (turn clockwise to loosen). I'm not sure about the ones manufactured since the retool. You could call Smith (AKA The Evil Empire), and ask them.

June 20, 2000, 07:16 AM	#6
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Bbbill is right. The post war guns are left hand thread. Sorry for the half info. George