S&W Model 15 problems!

[AustinClash]

My model 15 is the first 15 (no dash). I took it out of the safe just to see how it was doing. I pushed the thumb latch and the cylinder would not pop out....AND....the hammer would not cock!

Ahh! what happened? I may need a gunsmith in OC....

[trashman]

My model 15 is the first 15 (no dash). I took it out of the safe just to see how it was doing. I pushed the thumb latch and the cylinder would not pop out....AND....the hammer would not cock!

I actually had this happen on my Model 581 at Panoche recently.

In short, if anything (copper jacket shaving, for example) gets wedged in-between the forcing cone (barrel) and the cylinder face it will prevent the cylinder from turning (thus locking up the action) and also from opening.

Can you see daylight between the cylinder and the forcing cone?

--Neill

[swifty]

The extractor rod may have unscrewed. It is probably a left hand thread.

[trashman]

The extractor rod may have unscrewed. It is probably a left hand thread.

That's certainly a possibility although it wouldn't explain why the action is locked up...

--Neill

[swifty]

If it unscrews, the rod moves forward on the plunger. When this happens the plunger cannot clear the rod allowing the rod to swing free.

[tozan]

Need more info....

How long has it been sitting?
Was it working fine last time you had it out?
Does the hammer move?
Does the trigger move freely and does it return ALL the way back?
Does the cyld revolve?
Or is it completely locked up?
It could be gummed up inside.

[AustinClash]

prior to its current problem, I had it out a few weeks before and everything worked fine.

The hammer does not move, neither does the trigger. without either of those, the cylinder does not rotate.

I havent fired around through it in over a year, and i keep it pretty clean.

[bjl333]

Did you put a lot of lube in it before you stored it? Its probably got grease/lube all caked up inside. A good cleaning should have it working again.

[tozan]

prior to its current problem, I had it out a few weeks before and everything worked fine.

The hammer does not move, neither does the trigger. without either of those, the cylinder does not rotate.

I havent fired around through it in over a year, and i keep it pretty clean.

Did you check the cyld gap?
Is the Trigger all the way forward?
Try using a small thin screw driver at the barrel end of the extractor rod to release the clyd.

Also as BJ and I mention above the action may be gummed up and need cleaning. You can try spraying some lube inside the action... Also be sure to NEVER use WD-40 That stuff will trash any gun.

[AustinClash]

Thanks for the help, gents. Got it all fixed!

I took the side plate off and cleaned the innards, got the ejector rod out (yes, left hand screw) and was able to work the cylinder out, which got the hammer and trigger moving again. Cleaned and lightly oiled things and got it re assembled. Working smooth and sweet again.

[swifty]

That's good news AustinClash. Glad it was minor. The extractor rod needs to be good and snug, not finger tight. Drop a couple empty cases into the cylinder for support and tighten the rod. Make sure the rod is protected from scratches by using some leather or something similar between the jaws of the pliers.