Cases stuck in Barrel

[soundtravels]

First let me say i'm glad I found you guys! I've owned my Contender since '84 and have used it for silhouette, target and hunting without a hitch. Recently I have been having an alarming problem. After firing a round in my .357 Max barrel the cases are extracted but won't pull out by hand. I have tried min loads and different seating depths of loads that worked fine last year. There are no other signs of pressure other than the cases being stuck. Do you have any suggestions or do I need to send the barrel to T/C?

[Luckyducker]

It sounds like the walls of  the chamber are either dirty or have become rough for some reason.  I would try a thorough cleaning of chamber and if this doesn't fix it then you may need to polish  it with OOOO steel wool.  A Fordum would be best suited to apply the steel wool but anything that spins and can hold a small amount of SW and get into the chamber would work.  If this doesn't fix the problem you will probably have to replace the barrel....... but I can't see any reason why the chamber should become that pitted or rough.  If the barrel was new to you  I would say the chamber was not reamed correctly but since you have been shooting this one for over 25 years that is not the case.  Hope you can get this resolved.

[David D.]

Could it be you have shot 38spc. or 357Mag. rounds in this chamber and built up a crud ring. If you know there are no high pressure it sounds as if it needs a good cleaning.

[soundtravels]

Spent cases drop right in and stop with just under 3/8" sticking out. I give. I'm sending it in Monday. Has anyone else had to do this and know what the turnaround is?

[soundtravels]

I have only shot a combined total of 16 38s and 357 mag to help sight it in when I put the scope on. This thing is clean! I run a snake through it before and after using and patch clean when I get home. Butch's until no blue then Hoppes. I can't see anything odd in the chamber or bore. I'm stumped!

[Junior1942]

About the only thing it can be is something in the chamber.  Scope mount screw poking through???

[luckydawg13]

your extractor may be bent take it out and try one of the cases that were sticking
if the case goes in & out ok then you know  its your extractor or not
good luck & let us know what the fix was

[shot1]

Have you trimmed your cases? Could be too long and slightly hanging up in the throat area.

[redneckdan]

3/8" also happens to be the difference in length between a max and mag.  My bet is on crud ring build up.

[soundtravels]

All cases are checked and trimmed as necessary. Very few have needed much trimming. It has had less than 20 38 special and 357 mag run through it in 27 years. The case length difference between mag and max  is .315 - closer to 5/16. Is it possible to have some kind of "flame cut" like the revolvers did? It does seem to have more residue on the fired cases lately.

[spinafish]

I would lean towards some crud buildup from the shorter rounds..I would use a worn 40 caliber brush if I had one on just the chamber and see if that helps..

[soundtravels]

I would lean towards some crud buildup from the shorter rounds..I would use a worn 40 caliber brush if I had one on just the chamber and see if that helps..

What shorter rounds? See 9/1 post.

[spinafish]

the 38's and 357's

[P.A. Myers]

Any gun I have sticky cases problems, I go with a stainless steel CHAMBER brush on a drill motor.  In a revolver you cant get into the barrel, but in a T/C barrel you can. A chamber brush can eat rifling. 

P.A. 

[David D.]

If it's worked for 27 years, and you ruled out the ejector isn't catching,  the brass not bad, a base mount screw not protruding into the chamber,  and the chamber not dirty, then I'd say you have a bad problem!!! You do mention blackened cases! In this case I'd suspect a blackened chamber also. Sounds as if it needs a darn good cleaning!!!! I wouldn't think the flame cutting like happened in the revolvers is going to happen in a TC barrel.