H&R Top Break Auto-Ejecting Revolver Question - The Firearms Forum

GunPlay · 08-17-2008, 08:34 PM

Hello forum members;

I have a recently acquired H&R top-break, auto-ejecting, small-framed, 5-shot, .32 S&W cal revolver with exposed hammer. It's generally in very good condition however I noticed the pinwheel area (pardon the terminology) of the extractor assembly has excessive wear. I located online and bought a used 5-shot cylinder assembly complete with the extractor and spring.

The newly purchased extractor is in great condition but the nickel finish on my existing cylinder is in much better condition than that of the newly purchased unit, so I'd like to install the newer extractor in my old cylinder. That sounds easy enough but I can't figure out how remove the extractor assembly from either cylinder to make the exchange.

Can anyone advise me on how to remove the extractor assembly from the cylinder on this type revolver? Thank you.

b.goforth · 08-18-2008, 12:45 PM

the extractor extention is screwed on to the extractor and should be able to just turn off counterclockwise. however the extractor assembly is hand fitted to the cylinder and have partial serial numbers on both the extractor star and cylinder to line them up. the chances of a cylinder star from one cylinder fitting another cylinder exactly are about a million to one. since the H&R auto-ejector wetn through three models and several variations of each model (many concerning the cylinder retainer) there is a good possibility the cylinder you have will not fit your barrel and frame group.
bill

GunPlay · 08-18-2008, 04:35 PM

Hi Bill;

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. Your knowledge for the minute details of the numerous variations for these type pistols is nothing short of amazing.

When you refer to the extractor extension, are you referring to the slightly enlarged, short, rounded section of the extractor shaft that retains the spring at the opposite end of the star? Assuming, yes, which component has the male threads____ the extractor or the extension?

FYI, I trial-fit the newer cylinder/extractor assembly to my gun and I'm fortunate enough that it fits/functions perfectly. So if the newer star will not fit the old existing cylinder, I have a workable back-up solution.

Thanks again!

armedandsafe · 08-18-2008, 05:15 PM

While the replacement cylinder might appear to be a perfect fit, look very closely at the alignment of each chamber with the barrel, before calling it good. Timing is critical on a revolver. You might find that the cylinder is not lining upperfectly with the barrel.

This is not terribly difficult to fix, but it is a bit fussy to get it right, as you have to shape internal parts to get it right.

Pops

GunPlay · 08-18-2008, 06:20 PM

Thanks, Pops___ I'll check that out. Would the alignment need to be checked by a gauge or is "eyeball-aligned" good enough for these pistols?

b.goforth · 08-19-2008, 12:17 PM

the male threads are on the extractor star and female are on the extension.

the timing needs to be exact. the way i check these revolver is use a wooden dowel rod that is tight enough to slide into the bore if there is excessive play in the cylinder to bore alignment the dowel will not go thru the bore into the cylinder. this should be done with the hammer in the cocked position and all the chambers checked.
bill

GunPlay · 08-19-2008, 06:13 PM

Ah___ brilliant. Thanks to your help I removed the extractors from both cylinders and made the swap (new extractor into old cylinder) and reinstalled the cylinder. The action functions smoothly and appears to be properly aligned by naked-eye standards, but I'll confirm it per your suggested approach with a wooden dowel.

BTW, the extractor extensions for both units took a little WD-40 and lot of pursuasion to come loose. But with your guidance I knew where and in which direction to apply the force.

Thanks again, I'll let you know how the dowel test works out.

GunPlay · 08-19-2008, 09:28 PM

Sweeeet! The little H&R revolver with new extractor installed in the old cylinder passed the wooden dowel rod test for all 5 chambers with flying colors. Now I have a fully functioning gun with approximately 85% to 90% (I'm guessing) of its original nickle finish. Thanks again for the help!

BTW, I hope my wife doesn't discover her wooden cooking spoon is missing. The handle was sized perfectly for my cylinder timing gauge

08-17-2008, 08:34 PM	#1
GunPlay Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6	H&R Top Break Auto-Ejecting Revolver Question Hello forum members; I have a recently acquired H&R top-break, auto-ejecting, small-framed, 5-shot, .32 S&W cal revolver with exposed hammer. It's generally in very good condition however I noticed the pinwheel area (pardon the terminology) of the extractor assembly has excessive wear. I located online and bought a used 5-shot cylinder assembly complete with the extractor and spring. The newly purchased extractor is in great condition but the nickel finish on my existing cylinder is in much better condition than that of the newly purchased unit, so I'd like to install the newer extractor in my old cylinder. That sounds easy enough but I can't figure out how remove the extractor assembly from either cylinder to make the exchange. Can anyone advise me on how to remove the extractor assembly from the cylinder on this type revolver? Thank you. -->

08-18-2008, 12:45 PM	#2
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: H&R Top Break Auto-Ejecting Revolver Question the extractor extention is screwed on to the extractor and should be able to just turn off counterclockwise. however the extractor assembly is hand fitted to the cylinder and have partial serial numbers on both the extractor star and cylinder to line them up. the chances of a cylinder star from one cylinder fitting another cylinder exactly are about a million to one. since the H&R auto-ejector wetn through three models and several variations of each model (many concerning the cylinder retainer) there is a good possibility the cylinder you have will not fit your barrel and frame group. bill __________________ Author: Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works 1871-1993 H&R Arms Company 1871-1986 (due spring 2010) available from www.gunshowbooks.com website; iverjohnsoncollector.x10hosting.com Last edited by b.goforth; 08-18-2008 at 12:46 PM..

08-18-2008, 04:35 PM	#3
GunPlay Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6	Re: H&R Top Break Auto-Ejecting Revolver Question Hi Bill; Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. Your knowledge for the minute details of the numerous variations for these type pistols is nothing short of amazing. When you refer to the extractor extension, are you referring to the slightly enlarged, short, rounded section of the extractor shaft that retains the spring at the opposite end of the star? Assuming, yes, which component has the male threads____ the extractor or the extension? FYI, I trial-fit the newer cylinder/extractor assembly to my gun and I'm fortunate enough that it fits/functions perfectly. So if the newer star will not fit the old existing cylinder, I have a workable back-up solution. Thanks again!

08-18-2008, 05:15 PM	#4
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: H&R Top Break Auto-Ejecting Revolver Question While the replacement cylinder might appear to be a perfect fit, look very closely at the alignment of each chamber with the barrel, before calling it good. Timing is critical on a revolver. You might find that the cylinder is not lining upperfectly with the barrel. This is not terribly difficult to fix, but it is a bit fussy to get it right, as you have to shape internal parts to get it right. Pops

08-18-2008, 06:20 PM	#5
GunPlay Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6	Re: H&R Top Break Auto-Ejecting Revolver Question Thanks, Pops___ I'll check that out. Would the alignment need to be checked by a gauge or is "eyeball-aligned" good enough for these pistols?

08-19-2008, 12:17 PM	#6
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: H&R Top Break Auto-Ejecting Revolver Question the male threads are on the extractor star and female are on the extension. the timing needs to be exact. the way i check these revolver is use a wooden dowel rod that is tight enough to slide into the bore if there is excessive play in the cylinder to bore alignment the dowel will not go thru the bore into the cylinder. this should be done with the hammer in the cocked position and all the chambers checked. bill __________________ Author: Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works 1871-1993 H&R Arms Company 1871-1986 (due spring 2010) available from www.gunshowbooks.com website; iverjohnsoncollector.x10hosting.com

08-19-2008, 06:13 PM	#7
GunPlay Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6	Re: H&R Top Break Auto-Ejecting Revolver Question Ah___ brilliant. Thanks to your help I removed the extractors from both cylinders and made the swap (new extractor into old cylinder) and reinstalled the cylinder. The action functions smoothly and appears to be properly aligned by naked-eye standards, but I'll confirm it per your suggested approach with a wooden dowel. BTW, the extractor extensions for both units took a little WD-40 and lot of pursuasion to come loose. But with your guidance I knew where and in which direction to apply the force. Thanks again, I'll let you know how the dowel test works out.

08-19-2008, 09:28 PM	#8
GunPlay Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6	Re: H&R Top Break Auto-Ejecting Revolver Question Sweeeet! The little H&R revolver with new extractor installed in the old cylinder passed the wooden dowel rod test for all 5 chambers with flying colors. Now I have a fully functioning gun with approximately 85% to 90% (I'm guessing) of its original nickle finish. Thanks again for the help! BTW, I hope my wife doesn't discover her wooden cooking spoon is missing. The handle was sized perfectly for my cylinder timing gauge