|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,863
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,863 |
I just lucked into a chrome 4" model 34-1 for a decent price over the weekend.
I'm having some trouble with the chambers being very tight. CCI, Federal. and Aguila ammo drops right in and ejects fine, Winchester won't load, and gets stuck about halfway in.
I've done some light cleaning with JB bore paste, but only a few laps in each chamber.
Has anyone run into this?
I'm wondering if the previous owner shot a lot of shorts through it.
Any advice would be appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321 Likes: 2 |
Carefully measure the diameter of the cylinder chambers then purchase a reamer of that size. Clamp the reamer in a small T handle. Get everything well lubed with dark thread cutting oil, then *slowly* turn the reamer down into the cylinder chambers by hand until you feel it touch the step in the cylinder. Then slowly turn it as you bring it back out.
If you use a reamer that's the same original size as the cylinder chambers it will only touch and clear out the high spots in each chamber.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,856
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,856 |
Why not just use CCI, Federal or Aguila? Maybe the Winchester is out of spec? Is it just one lot of ammo? Is it chrome or nickel?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,379
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,379 |
Are you sure that it is chrome Dave? I was all set to get a stainless m63 when they first came out, but my old m34-1 was way smoother, so I kept that one and had it Armaloy plated which is nickel as i understand it. My chambers get tight after shooting it for a while and then I just brass brush out the cylinder and it is good to go again. From working in the coating industry, I am remembering that nickel adheres evenly, but chrome plating doesn’t depending on the conductivity of the metal. I don’t recall a m34 offered as a chrome plate from the factory.
My other auto is a .45
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,781 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,781 Likes: 9 |
Have you cleaned the cylinder chambers to bare metal?
Conduct is the best proof of character.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,576 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,576 Likes: 1 |
34 would be nickel unless it was refinished
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,863
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,863 |
Yes it is nickel, not chrome.
I have used a brass brush on the chambers which didn't get me where I wanted to be, then used JB bore paste. I will go at it again with the paste before trying to ream it.
I was confused why some brands chambered easily and the Winchester were getting stuck though.
It is an accurate little piece, but I don't like the thin trigger and sharp edges. I've already ordered a trigger shoe for it.
Thanks guys.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,213 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,213 Likes: 7 |
Put that brass brush in a drill and give it a spin with a little oil on it, probably has a lead ring. Or it could just be That lot of Winchester Ammo. I certainly wouldn’t go reaming the chambers on a good shooting revolver because it won’t chamber one brand of ammo.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,805 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,805 Likes: 2 |
WW bulk was the worst crap I every put into a 22 revolver.. It is probably the ammo.. If the other stuff works use it...
Molon Labe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,550
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,550 |
You were already doing it right. A .22 rimfire is a heeled bullet so the case is bullet diameter. Use a .22 jag, patch, JB, and patience.
Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. Robert Frost
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,863
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,863 |
WW bulk was the worst crap I every put into a 22 revolver.. It is probably the ammo.. If the other stuff works use it... That is the ammo I was trying, the WW 555 count white box bulk ammo. I bought four of those boxes and they aren't great but they chamber in all of my other .22's. Strange.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,534
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,534 |
It's not strange at all. The older Smiths had tight chambers, and shot the better for it. I had a M18 Combat Masterpiece that we referred to as "the mallet gun" as you needed a mallet to get the cartridges in and out of the chambers, but that thing would SHOOT like it had eyes of its own. Just about any ammo would shoot bugeyes in it.
A couple of months ago, I bought a new 4" 617 (the modern equivalent of the same basic revolver) and ammo just drops into it, and falls out of it easily, too. AND, it doesn't shoot nearly as well as that Model 18.
I'd say, just clean it frequently, and enjoy the good accuracy it provides, and quit using that excrement ammo. Use better ammo. Period.
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408 |
my 34-1 does the same thing, especially after a few cylinders worth. i never bothered to mess with it. i haven't really shot it since i bought and 18 and a 17. the J frame is too small for my meat hooks.
My diploma is a DD214
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,863
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,863 |
After a night of switching between JB's bore paste and the brass brush working the chambers, it is much easier to load. The Winchester bulk ammo has the copper wash/coating down on the actual case and is just too wide to fit the chambers. That ammo doesn't jive with my 1950's era Rem 121 either. Tighter tolerances on .22 chambers back in the day.
|
|
|
|
649 members (06hunter59, 12344mag, 16gage, 10gaugemag, 160user, 12savage, 60 invisible),
2,898
guests, and
1,318
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,643
Posts18,512,351
Members74,010
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|