First model snail drum locked ?

jsmith · 06-22-2015, 09:08 PM

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

G.T. · 06-22-2015, 09:23 PM

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...

. Nothing inside will help you with the lever release....best to you, til...lat'r....GT...

Lugerdoc · 06-23-2015, 07:45 AM

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

lugerholsterrepair · 06-23-2015, 02:59 PM

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.....

jsmith · 06-24-2015, 07:44 PM

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

G.T. · 06-24-2015, 08:21 PM

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!.....

... best to all, til...lat'r....GT....

Lugerdoc · 06-25-2015, 07:29 AM

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

G.T. · 06-25-2015, 11:40 AM

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...

ithacaartist · 06-25-2015, 10:25 PM

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.

jsmith · 07-03-2015, 12:11 PM

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 !

06-22-2015, 09:08 PM	#1
jsmith User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	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

06-22-2015, 09:23 PM	#2
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,500 Thanks: 1,318 Thanked 3,627 Times in 999 Posts	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.... Nothing inside will help you with the lever release....best to you, til...lat'r....GT...

06-23-2015, 07:45 AM	#3
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	GT on this forum is our expert in this area. Ask him. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

06-23-2015, 02:59 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,879 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,429 Posts	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..... __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

06-24-2015, 08:21 PM	#6
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,500 Thanks: 1,318 Thanked 3,627 Times in 999 Posts	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!........ best to all, til...lat'r....GT....

06-24-2015, 07:44 PM	#5
jsmith User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Ive tried that, Im afraid to put anymore pressure on it trying to force it to line up.

06-25-2015, 07:29 AM	#7
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	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 Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

06-25-2015, 11:40 AM	#8
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,500 Thanks: 1,318 Thanked 3,627 Times in 999 Posts	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...

06-25-2015, 10:25 PM	#9
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,320 Thanks: 7,178 Thanked 2,532 Times in 1,348 Posts	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. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

07-03-2015, 12:11 PM	#10
jsmith User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	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 !