First model snail drum locked ?
 

I bought a first model snail drum magazine. It appears to be wound tight and locked into its larch. I cannot unlatch it . I dont want to force it, but I cant pull the handle far enough to line up its catch.
Should I unscrew the handle by removing the screw on the other side ? I dont want to mess it up, any advise ? Thanks, Jim

locked position
 

Hi Jim, when it is in the locked position, you have to (lightly/gently) push the button down/in, in order to rotate the lever back further, the few degrees needed to get to the release relief??.... Then the button usually pops up/releases by itself..... :)...good luck! taking it apart will probably result in a catastrophic failure of some kind...:eek:. Nothing inside will help you with the lever release....best to you, til...lat'r....GT...:cheers:

GT on this forum is our expert in this area. Ask him. TH

Asked and answered..By GT! See above..

push the button down/in, in order to rotate the lever back further, the few degrees needed to get to the release relief??.... Then the button usually pops up/releases by itself.....

Ive tried that, Im afraid to put anymore pressure on it trying to force it to line up.

that's all there is?
 

I can't think of any thing else to do??.... The spring will still have a few degrees of movement, probably so dry it is spring bound... If NOTHING moves, I would toss the whole drum into a bowl of oil and let it soak??... it would need to be un-locked, then disassembled and re-greased ...... If you want me to work on it, I can, and will?.... drop me a note at: gctomeks@msn.com haven't had any complaints yet!.....:thumbup:... best to all, til...lat'r....GT....:cheers:

It's possible that the locking button spring is missing or defective. If so, you will have to pull up the button manually when the lever is in the correct position. TH

Tom is correct?
 

You may have to position the button in or out, "by feel" to find the sweet spot that will enable you to again move the lever?.... until the lever has some movement, you're not going to be able to manipulate the button or release the spring?..... Best to all, til...lat'r....GT...:cheers:

Kerosene, diesel fuel. or fuel oil make excellent penetrants for soaking something like this.

Also, a bit of physical shock/vibration after soaking may shift its spring to allow for a tiny bit of rotation of the lever. If you were to set it up on a towel folded up to be a good pad, then tap the shell with a rubber or soft-faced plastic hammer while putting a gentle strain on the lever in the direction you want it to go, it very well may shift the wound spring the tiny amount it seems to need. Just take care not to bend/dent stuff!

I'm going to give an old hard drive a similar treatment to see if I can get it to spin again, long enough to grab some old files from it. It "died" during a de-frag. It has never been given this treatment, and though a long shot, this 'defibrillation" (Clear!...Wham-o!) just might dislodge it.

I got it unlocked, it may of had a burr or something that finnally cleared itself or the spring may of been binding. But it works now ! Thanks for all the help !