Ejector issues after shooting 38sp...

M

Mikechandler

Inactive
There has to be some fix to this I don't know. I have a really nice S&W 686-4 plus 6" revolver.

Shooting 38 specials (FMJ) after 5 or 6 reloads, I am pretty much done shooting until I clean it. The chambers get so fouled up that I can hardly eject the brass. The problem does happen A LOT less with 357s, but after 100 of those I am pretty worn out anyway. I like to do target shooting for that reason with the 38 specials. I know the WWB 38sp isn't high quality ammo... but it's cheap enough at walmart that I can afford to shoot this (my favorite and most prized gun).

I've looked at the clearance between the cone of the barrel and the cylinder and it looks fine.

Any advice is appreciated!
 
im still fairly new to revolvers, but from what ive read on here shooting 38s in a 357 revolver does cause more build up than if you shot 357s, because of the shorter case on the 38. not too much you can do to avoid it as far as I know.
 
Not an expert by any means I just bought my first revolver yesterday, sp101(used). When I shot it today I was having trouble with extractions in both .38 and .357 to the point I needed a screwdriver twice to remove the empties(in one chamber).

I had done a quick clean prior to shooting today so I hope that is the issue.

When I returned home and cleaned the heck out of it rounds now fall out with no problem. Hope to shoot again next weekend to see if that was the issue
 
It's true, shooting .38's out of your .357 will get you extra fouling. Make sure you are really doing a good job cleaning after each outing, otherwise you will have build up upon build up. I find cleaning revolvers to be a bit of a chore because to really get a everything out you have to spend some time. What are you using to clean?
 
Shadi,

I think you are addressing the op, but I probably could use help here as well, I used Hoppes and clp with a standard bore brush(.38, .357, .9mm) followed with a run through of patches.

OP, sorry, not trying to pilfer your thread.
 
i would think I can fire more than 35 rounds between thorough chamber cleanings. I am using CLP and a bore snake, cleaning each chamber in my cylinder, while others are still shooting next to me. That gets old pretty fast. When I get home I do a thorough cleaning. My 686 looks new when done.

I was hoping there was some obvious thing I could do, other than just shooting 357 all day (if for no other reason, the cost being too high).

I guess I need to start reloading 38 special loads in 357 brass or something. It's just a PITA.
 
Honing

Honing the cylinders will help extraction. However, honing brushes
and honing oil are somewhat pricey. When done properly the
cylinder holes will be mirror bright with all tool marks gone. I
think I purchased my honing brushes and oil from MidwaUSA.
 
i would think I can fire more than 35 rounds between thorough chamber cleanings
Click to expand...

I agree with that . It usally takes boxes of 38 spl then the 357's won't fit in the cylinder because of the shorter 38 spl build up.

Clean your gun barrel and cylinders as well as you can and if it keeps doing that contact S&W. Talk to them and see what they have to say. Other than trying different ammo, which I don't think is the problem, something ain't right.
 
im still fairly new to revolvers, but from what ive read on here shooting 38s in a 357 revolver does cause more build up than if you shot 357s, because of the shorter case on the 38. not too much you can do to avoid it as far as I know.
Click to expand...

Shoot 38's in 38's and shoot 357's in 357's. :D ;)
 
Gee, Bossman, if I had a dollar for every .38 Special I have fired in a .357, I could be richer than The Donald. And I didn't even take special care to clean the chambers, just the normal bronze brush. Most of those rounds were handloads, using Bullseye, which is not a clean burning powder. I wonder if the ammo in question is not especially dirty; some of the cheaper ammo, even from big name companies, can have problems.

Jim
 
Advice,
Shoot 357 magnums since it is a 357 magnum revolver. I have a 686-2 4 inch and shoot at the range CCI Blazer 357 magnum 158gr hollow points. They are inexpensive to shoot and don't leave the build up as do 38 specials. This round is a mid power round and has mild recoil.
Good luck,
Howard
 
James K , that was just in jest to the I don't know how to avoid it. I too use Bullseye with my 38's and may have to wipe down the exterior of the gun everynow and then but can shoot forever without extractor problems.

He said he was using WWB which isn't the cleanest 38 but only 5 or 6 cylinders and he's got to stop. That gun should handle a few boxes easy not stop on 30 to 36 rounds.

I still say a good cleaning not just a wipe down but a few hours worth and if it still has that problem contact S&W and let them fix it on their dime.

Make sure to clean and oil under the extractor and extractor rod as they sometimes get gummed up.
 
Sbooting 38s causing problems when you go to 357 is a lot more common then people think.

And its a lot simplar to fix then people think.

Take an empty 357 case and run it through your expander die. Set the expander die where it opens the mouth of the case where it bearly fits in the cylender. You should have to force it in.

Then semply force it end, exject it and you'll find the sharp mouth of the 357 case cut out the residue left by the 38 case.

Simple fast, cheap, and IT WORKS.
 
One of the common .357 Mag revolver chamber cleaning errors that I see:

Using a .357 bore brush to clean .357 chambers. What's needed is .357 _CHAMBER_ brush.

Yes, they do exist, and they'll get your .357 chambers a lot cleaner than the smaller .357 BORE brushes will.

A .357 chamber brush is larger in diameter than a .357 bore brush.

FjLee Denver CO
 
fjlee said:
Using a .357 bore brush to clean .357 chambers. What's needed is .357 _CHAMBER_ brush.
Click to expand...

A trick I learned a long time ago was to use a .45 ACP bore brush to clean .357 revolver chambers. Works like a champ. When we had large quantities of .357 cylinders to clean, we'd chuck a short section of rod in a handheld drill and put a .45 bore brush on the end. You can clean a dozen cylinders in no time.
 
Take an empty 357 case and run it through your expander die. Set the expander die where it opens the mouth of the case where it bearly fits in the cylender. You should have to force it in.
Click to expand...

Yep, and you'll likely get some significant lead shavings coming out the front of each cylinder. I sometimes have to do this with my K-38 during a Bullseye match when a cylinder gets a little crud in it. Just don't force them in so tight that you can't get them back out with the extractor. Better yet, use a small wooden dowel and save the wear and tear on the extractor.
 
I still say a good cleaning not just a wipe down but a few hours worth and if it still has that problem contact S&W and let them fix it on their dime.
Click to expand...

A very good cleaning will usually take care of the problems. Make sure you really give the chambers a good cleaning after the next range session and I'd also try some different ammo. Just to see if it makes any difference.
 
Mag tech .38 super auto +p

I made the mistake of buying and using this ammo in my GP-100 and it is difficult to eject. I tried it it my SP-100 357 mag and its to tight in the cyl. so I'm done with it. Maybe ammo is a problem??


Rich
 
Buy a chamber brush. A few passes with the chamber brush when cleaning after shooting will eliminate this problem. Regards 18DAI
 
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