Charter Arms .38

[dennis9288]

Sure hope I'm in the correct forum for this question.

I picked up an older Charter Arms .38 Special from my father-in-law that had been sitting in drawer (loaded) for years.

I tried opening the cylinder to unload it - but the cylinder is stuck. The release button is a little loose - but will not move enough to release the cylinder.

Are you able to provide any guidance on how to open the cylinder? I'm reluctant to take it to a gun smith loaded.

Thank you.

[sealocan]

I am not a gunsmith but you have to keep safety as your priority number one when dealing with loaded firearms. That ammo is old but old ammo is still deadly!

You would be much better off having a professional takes a look at it but here is a video on YouTube describing disassembly of an unloaded Charter Arms revolver.
Take a look at these but don't necessarily make any moves where you're taking any chances! You might want to put something in between the hammer and where it strikes ( I believe it's a transfer bar safety system I guess it could be a direct firing pin)

Then pay close attention to the 4 minute 20 , where removal of the cylinder crane is discussed because that might allow you to remove wiggle your cylinder out or at least get it to where the hammer will fall a piece of cylinder metal instead of a live round.

And also the two minutes 50 second mark, where it is shown how to remove the mainspring that causes the hammer to fall and fire the weapon. If you can do that relatively simple maneuver, maybe with your web of your hand or some item that 100% ensures that it's blocking the hammer from firing the loaded pistol AND while you keep your pistol is pointed in a safe Direction 100% of the time you do this.

But always keep in mind some of rules of gun safety....
Allways keep it aimed a safe Direction, never point it at anything you don't intend to destroy, know what's behind your back stop or the wall that you're pointing at. Excetera excetera excetera.

and if you even possibly don't know what you're doing, with 100% confidence in your safety measures and work abilities,
see a professional.

Which is I would recommend you do even after watching the video.

https://youtu.be/-YvtBRu1cHA

[kendog4570]

Try giving the ejector rod a pull forward while gently pushing the cylinder open. The latch may be loose and out of adjustment and/or the Cylinder latch release screw might be missing or fouled in some way. Careful with these Charters, the latch has a lot of little weird shims and washers as part of their assemblies. Of course, keep your finger off the trigger and point it in a safe direction and dont shoot yourself. Wedge a dowel or small cork behind the trigger as added safety measure when doing this sort of stuff on a loaded gun.

[dennis9288]

This is great information. Thank you so much. I'll make sure to put the dowel or some other barrier in front of the hammer.

[dennis9288]

You would be much better off having a professional takes a look at it but here is a video on YouTube describing disassembly of an unloaded Charter Arms revolver.
.

https://youtu.be/-YvtBRu1cHA

Thanks so much for the video. This is a great help.

Appreciate the information.

[kendog4570]

This is great information. Thank you so much. I'll make sure to put the dowel or some other barrier in front of the hammer.

NO! Put it BEHIND the trigger, like I said. No way the fire control can cycle. If you put it in front of the hammer the gun must be cocked first. Not smart.... If you have to take a loaded gun to a smith call him first, and let him come out to your car to get it.

[kendog4570]

Another approach would be to fire the rounds off in a safe direction, like into a dirt bank or such, and then mess with getting it open.

[dennis9288]

NO! Put it BEHIND the trigger, like I said. No way the fire control can cycle. If you put it in front of the hammer the gun must be cocked first. Not smart.... If you have to take a loaded gun to a smith call him first, and let him come out to your car to get it.

Thank you for the guidance as well. I will believe I will take the gunsmith route. Giving a heads up request before delivery.

Thank you all for the guidance.

[SnWnMe]

Pull the ejector rod forward. It is designed to open the cylinder in addition to the traditional thumb piece so you are not bypassing any safety features.

Unload the gun.

Done.

[dennis9288]

Thank you.