M29 Problem

David1958 · October 29, 2004, 09:32 PM

I have found that when cocking the hammer back on the M29 for SA shooting 4 of the chambers slide into place like glass. The 5th one is slightly harder to cock into position and the 6th is almost impossible as if something is hanging it up. 5 and 6 will go into postion and fire upon trigger pull, but this is not right by any stretch. I just recently got the gun used and this was the first time @ the range with it. I have oiled it and tried to work it in by cycling the SA mode and rotating the cylinder. It seems to have improved some but the problem is still there intermittantly especially on #6. I haven't been able to ask the seller if the gun sat unused and unoiled for a long time or if it may have been caused by somthing else. I will continue to try to find that out. Any thoughts on what it might be and does it need to go to a gunsmith? Thanks.

**4V50 Gary** · October 29, 2004, 10:42 PM

Look at your star extractor. Are the tabs that are engaged by the hand uniform? If they aren't, that's the cause and it needs to be refitted with a new extractor.

Alternatively, if the extractor is OK, it could be the yoke is bent and thereby causing the cylinder to bind on #5 and #6.

Off topic - I love your city and have been there twice. 2nd time was to see the Daughters of the Confederacy Museum and the Hunley. Even got to Seccessionville where my car was attacked by a Rebel Dog. He ran smacked dabbed into the fender, bounced off and walked away. I was shocked that a dog would do that.

The Charleston Museum is excellent and they have some outstanding firearms there. Even found the Washington Light Infantry when I was there (but they never responded to my inquiry for information).

I wish I had time to sit and read in your library and your County Historical Society.

David1958 · October 30, 2004, 05:22 AM

Thanks for the info. Looks like the star might be worn. I'll check it out. Charleston is a cool place. Moved here 8+ years ago. More crowded now, but still an improvement over MA. IMHO!

Is the yoke an external, easily replaced part or one for a smith? If that turns out to be the case.

Marvin Gardens · October 30, 2004, 06:50 PM

Check the piece for endshake. S&W cylinders are not always square on the face and excessive endshake can cause the binding on one or two or three chambers. Does the measurement at the cylinder gap differ from those that move freely? Does the problem inmprove or go away when you put hand pressure on the cyclinder, pushing it rearward?

Regards

Marvin

PzB41 · November 1, 2004, 10:04 PM

Likely the yoke/crane is bent. If someone hollywood's the cylinder shut (slams it), it could bend the crane. On a revolver the size of a 29, it could easily happen. If the yoke/crane is bent, the cylinder is turning out of round, causing it to bind on 5 and 6. Good news is that it can be corrected without replacing the crane, but the smithy needs a gauge to check it and needs to know what he's doing to correct it.

Check out Kuhnhausen's book on S&W's. He covers the problem and how to correct it.

Pz

October 29, 2004, 09:32 PM	#1
David1958 Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2004 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 154	M29 Problem I have found that when cocking the hammer back on the M29 for SA shooting 4 of the chambers slide into place like glass. The 5th one is slightly harder to cock into position and the 6th is almost impossible as if something is hanging it up. 5 and 6 will go into postion and fire upon trigger pull, but this is not right by any stretch. I just recently got the gun used and this was the first time @ the range with it. I have oiled it and tried to work it in by cycling the SA mode and rotating the cylinder. It seems to have improved some but the problem is still there intermittantly especially on #6. I haven't been able to ask the seller if the gun sat unused and unoiled for a long time or if it may have been caused by somthing else. I will continue to try to find that out. Any thoughts on what it might be and does it need to go to a gunsmith? Thanks. __________________ Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.

October 29, 2004, 10:42 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Look at your star extractor. Are the tabs that are engaged by the hand uniform? If they aren't, that's the cause and it needs to be refitted with a new extractor. Alternatively, if the extractor is OK, it could be the yoke is bent and thereby causing the cylinder to bind on #5 and #6. Off topic - I love your city and have been there twice. 2nd time was to see the Daughters of the Confederacy Museum and the Hunley. Even got to Seccessionville where my car was attacked by a Rebel Dog. He ran smacked dabbed into the fender, bounced off and walked away. I was shocked that a dog would do that. The Charleston Museum is excellent and they have some outstanding firearms there. Even found the Washington Light Infantry when I was there (but they never responded to my inquiry for information). I wish I had time to sit and read in your library and your County Historical Society. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 30, 2004, 05:22 AM	#3
David1958 Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2004 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 154	M29 Thanks for the info. Looks like the star might be worn. I'll check it out. Charleston is a cool place. Moved here 8+ years ago. More crowded now, but still an improvement over MA. IMHO! Is the yoke an external, easily replaced part or one for a smith? If that turns out to be the case. __________________ Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.

October 30, 2004, 06:50 PM	#4
Marvin Gardens Member Join Date: January 25, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 57	Check the piece for endshake. S&W cylinders are not always square on the face and excessive endshake can cause the binding on one or two or three chambers. Does the measurement at the cylinder gap differ from those that move freely? Does the problem inmprove or go away when you put hand pressure on the cyclinder, pushing it rearward? Regards Marvin

November 1, 2004, 10:04 PM	#5
PzB41 Member Join Date: October 27, 2004 Location: South of the Mason/Dixon Line in horse country. Posts: 23	Likely the yoke/crane is bent. If someone hollywood's the cylinder shut (slams it), it could bend the crane. On a revolver the size of a 29, it could easily happen. If the yoke/crane is bent, the cylinder is turning out of round, causing it to bind on 5 and 6. Good news is that it can be corrected without replacing the crane, but the smithy needs a gauge to check it and needs to know what he's doing to correct it. Check out Kuhnhausen's book on S&W's. He covers the problem and how to correct it. Pz __________________ "I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" -- Thomas Jefferson Current favorites in the safe: Pre-64 M70 in .300 WinMag, Steyr SSG69, H&K 93A4 and 91, M21, H&K USP (C), Colt 1911A1 & Anaconda, S&W M57. Disabled Veteran (10 Years Active, US Army) NRA Life Member Graduate CST, Denver, CO. Precision Rifle Instructor Professional Gunsmith/Riflemaker Student of Engineering