Help! my 657 trigger jams in the fully pulled position

[Dand]

I had my 657 out for a week of rainy hunting. It lived under the seat in the boat and got banged a bit.  I left it in the boiler room to dry out on returning.  Was just putting it back in the vault when I decided to do a rapid double action dry fire for 6 pulls.  Since I carry it some times in bear country. Well about the 5th pull the trigger sticks all the way back and doesn't release.  I took off the grips, squirted some Ballistol into the works area and let sit for a few minutes.  Then rapped on the side plate with a wood screwdriver handle.  The trigger snapped back in position.  I rarely have done a fast dry fire trial like this - no snap caps in place.  I tried it again a couple times and got a couple more of the same jams. Not good for a self defense gun.


What should I do?  I hesitate to open the gun up - I've never messed inside a S&W.


I shoot pretty heavy loads in the gun, several brands of  240, 250, 255, 265 grain loads as well as home loads.  Mostly practice with lighter loads but do run some of the real stuff thru too.

[spruce]

First thing I'd suspect is some corrosion and/or dirt/debris buildup in the internals.  A complete cleaning and inspection of the internals would be my first order of business.
 
S&W's aren't really complicated to take apart, but like anything else the first time can be a little intimidating.  Any decent gunsmith should be able to clean, lube, and put back together in a half-hour or less.  Perhaps you can find one who will let you watch, and explain the procedure while he's doing it - might cost a few dollars more, but well worth it for the lesson.
 
If you do it yourself DON'T PRY ON THE SIDEPLATE to get it off !

[Dand]

Thanks Spruce.  I'll check around for a smith in Anchorage Alaska.  Don't know of any guys here in Dillingham.  Thanks for the advice on disassembly. I love this gun but haven't been taking good care of it lately - it fell out of the holster one day and landed in the dirt.  I thought the strap was snapped but no  .


I wonder if there are any instructional videos on You Tube - will check.  But I tend to be ham handed on screws so will take this slow and careful.


I'm open to other advice if anyone wants to share.


Thanks

[Bigeasy]

Dand
 
I am not a gun smith, but have worked on a S&W or two.  I would get a PROPER fitting screw driver, lay the gun down on a clean white towel, and take off the grips. then remove the screw farthest forward on the frame, under the cylinder.  Now open (swing out) the cylinder, and slide it forward.  It should remove from the gun.  Remove the other two frame screws, then gently tap around the frame (not on the side plate) with a rubber or leather mallet.  The idea is to work the side plate up and off the gun.  Do not try to pry it, as it is closely fitted, and will cause an unsightly burr to the metal.  Once the side plate is off, take a close look at the inner workings, checking for dirt or other assorted garbage.
 
Now, how far you want to go in dis-assembly is up to you, but it is fairly straight forward.  If you don't feel comfortable doing so, I would get an aerosol can of "crud blaster", or something similar, that leaves no residue, and give it a good washing out, including behind the thumb latch.  When it is dry, lube with a light gun oil, re-assemble, and try it out.  Finding a dis-assembly video is a good idea, by the way, or an on line schematic.  Worst case - A trip to the gunsmith anyway.  Good luck...
 
Larry
 


 

[Dand]

Thanks Big! Your advice is a big help by explaining the order in which things should happen.  I found a Midway video and Brownells video about changing springs but they didn't discuss the disassembly much.  I haven't looked further. I have a Brownells screw driver set, small leather mallet, and a rubber work mat.  I might try this.  The nearest real gunsmith is at leat 350 miles & $400 flight away.  I want to use this gun a lot in the next few weeks. I'll take a look - carefully.


Thanks so much.

[Mohawk]

 Agree with Bigeasy. But my answer is shorter. Take the side plate off. Spray the lockwork with compressed air and then oil it down. Repeat as needed.
 

[Dand]

Thanks Mohawk - should have taken that route too.  But I pulled out all the guts. Didn't really find any single problem or any really gunk at all.   For our really cold weather I keep the gun pretty dry so there's not much oil to collect crud.  Then I had a bugger of a time getting it back together. Happily I think I've got it back and it hasn't jammed with some rapid dry firing. Took a couple tries and I really don't know what I did different on the last assembly but it feels & acts right. Figuring out the hand spring was a stumper until I found a picture on  S&W's site.  I'll have to test fire it tomorrow.  I'm a bit surprised at all the teeeeny parts for a gun that can take magnum recoil.


Thanks for the help guys.

[williamlayton]

I like projects when they come together.
Blessings

[demented]

Be certain the mainspring strain screw on the front of you grip frame is all the way in.  I've seen these backed off cause the same problem you describe.