Got Her Going!!! (Need some J frame Help)

[Billy2]

Thanks to everyone here I got my J-frame going. The ejecton rod had unscrewed and I had some rust in the cylender release hole in the frame. I got a parts gun for free and replaced what was missing. Roundgun shooter was a real big help!!!

Bill

A co worker of mine gave me an old S&W Jframe 38 the other day. He said that it was like 30+ years old and he didn't have a use for it.

Any way the cylinder won't open and the cylinder release is missing. The hammer and trigger work fine but they feel kinda weak.

Whats my best bet for getting this thing going. I am pretty handy and have done detailed strips on auto's before.

Should I just send it to S&W and have them fix it or should I get a spring kit and a cylinder release and have a go at it?

Or is there a gun smith in Ma that would take care of it on the cheap?

Options and opinions wanted!!!

Thanks

Bill

 

[edin508]

If you like the gun enough, send it S&W.
They may not even charge you for the repair

 

[jack01730]

personally, i'd send it to smith and wesson, they'll inspect it for safety and function and repair itup to spec.

 

[RKG]

Sound advice.

Detailed disassembly of a S&W DA revolver does not require rocket science. However, there are a couple of non-obvious steps that, if you blow them, can do damage to the revolver. At a minimum, obtain a copy of Kuhnhausen's book before doing this for the first time.

 

[clerk.mvgc]

The 2 piece ejector rod/cyl pin on J frames tends to unscrew itself at times which lengthens it and leaves no room for the cyl release to push the rear 1/2 forward releasing the cylinder from the frame. Gently try to screw the rod back together. If your able to do so the cyl latch should then be able to move forward. Don't try pliers, it will surely bugger up the ejector rod.

If this doesn't work or the rod seems jammed send it back to S&W, their service dept will have the proper tools and parts to do the repair correctly and S&W has always treated me right whenever I've dealt with their service dept.

 

[TY43215]

Smith & Wesson will charge you. They will charge shipping both ways and they will charge for the repairs.

I suggest you take it to a local gunsmith or find a Police Armorer from the days of revolvers. most of us still have parts and the tools.

For a gunsmith, I will still recommend Greg Derr if you are any where near Marshfield. If you are any where near Cape Cod, I would be glad to take a look at it.

 

[mark056]

+1 to Round Gun Shooter

The days of sending a gun to S&W and having them fix it for free are long gone. (I am not referring to warranty work here) as the gun you describe would no longer be covered under the warranty in effect when it was made.

As far as gunsmiths go, I would also recommend Mike LaRocca in Worcester. He knows revolvers and I have used his services over the years for repairs on Colts and customization on S&W's.

I also think that Round Gun Shooter knows his stuff and that he has made a very generous offer. It might be a great way to visit the cape and get a gun repaired at the same time...life doesn't get much better than that

Mark L.

 

[JimB]

age

given its 30 old ? you will have to pay for the repairs, plus the shipping
both ways.

He did transfer this to you, right...?????

JimB

 

[Billy2]

Guys thanks for all the advice. Round gun I think I will take you up on your offer. I will Pm you and we can set up a time to meet up. make sure you let me know what kind of beer you drink!

And we did do a ftf transfer on a Fa-10 and All State and federal laws were followed.

 

[depicts]

Billy2, good job. Show us a picture when you can.

 

[45collector]

Is it stainless? Round butt? I'll buy it off you and fix it myself if so!
(I have a nickel J square butt and I've been looking for an old stainless round butt. actually there's another round butt I've been looking for but lets not get into that!)

 

[TY43215]

Guys thanks for all the advice. Round gun I think I will take you up on your offer. I will Pm you and we can set up a time to meet up. make sure you let me know what kind of beer you drink!

And we did do a ftf transfer on a Fa-10 and All State and federal laws were followed.

No PMs send e mail to round_gun_shooter01(NOSPAM)@comcast.net
remove the (NOSPAM)

No beer either. On a very strict diet but thanks for the offer.

 

[Billy2]

Here is a pic. She ain't pretty but if I ger her working she will be a good truck gun!

 

[jairadio]

Not bad looking at all, has a pinned barrel, diamond grips, take the grips off and I'll bet they are numbered to the revolver. Get it repaired, slap some oil on it, and you'll have a nice little carry gun.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Smith & Wesson will charge you. They will charge shipping both ways and they will charge for the repairs.

RGS knows whereof he speaks!

I had a S&W 39-2 with a broken manual safety. I bought the gun back in the late 1970s. S&W repaired it, but charged me ~$100, which included shipping.

IIRC the story correctly, the only guns with 100% lifetime warranty are those made after 1986 (might be off by a year or two). Earlier guns, if they have the parts still available, they will repair, but they will charge you for it.

 

[Jose]

Not bad looking at all, has a pinned barrel, diamond grips, take the grips off and I'll bet they are numbered to the revolver. Get it repaired, slap some oil on it, and you'll have a nice little carry gun.

Might even be a flat latch?

 

[TY43215]

Might even be a flat latch?

Not a flat latch. You can tell by the bolt stud

 

[Billy2]

As I posted above I got her going. Will post pics when I get her to the range. Thanks Round Gun Shooter!!!

 

[TY43215]

Glad to help. Wear good eye protection first time out