Sticking cases

[Evil Dog]

Something puzzling..... S&W Model 29 firing .44 Mag reloads, 240gr cast (linotype) with 14.5gr Blue Dot. That is pretty much the low end of the spectrum so wouldn't anticipate any pressure problems. When fired single action they often stick in the chambers but NOT when fired double action. What's with that !?!

[Bazoo]

I assume you've cleaned it to see if it remedies the problem. Are you sure it doesn't do it in double action sometimes too and you just haven't noticed?

In single action are you firing one round and then checking to see if it stuck? But firing the whole cylinder full in double action before checking?

[Evil Dog]

Generally I will fire all 6 single action or all 6 double action before trying to extract them. I have not tried firing one round at a time and checking extraction. That would be a good way to determine if it is possibly related to one or two specific chambers. Yes, the chambers were cleaned beforehand. I'm cleaning the chambers differently now.... run a couple of patches wet with Hoppe's 9 through them then chuck up a .50 caliber nylon brush in a small cordless drill. Run it completely through the chambers in about 30 seconds each followed by wet and dry patches until they come out clean. So far single action shooting has often (but not always) required a light tap with a leather mallet on the ejector rod to extract the fired cases. Fired double action they will generally come right out with just finger pressure.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Powder position? Do you raise the muzzle, lower the muzzle, keep the muzzle level when shooting DA vs SA. Powder against primer will USUALLY result in more velocity than powder forward against bullet.
Recoil and gun handling can change powder position. Don't know position sensitivity of Blue Dot.

[Evil Dog]

Cartridges inserted bullet downward so that presumably the first shot will be with the powder positioned mostly forward in the case. The remaining 5 shots probably have the powder randomly distributed within the case due to recoil. Revolver is neither raised nor lowered during the 6 shot string whether single or double action.

[Bazoo]

If its just 1 or 2 chambers thats sticking, maybe firing double action you're jostling the stuck case loose from subsequent shots, and just happen to end on that chamber when firing single action?

[country gent]

What is your case length? You might be right at the edge of to long for the chamber. Single action with the hammer cocked gives a little heavier strike and may be driving the case mouth into the chamber just a touch further. Double action is a slightly lighter hit ( slightly reduced travel and momentum). I have seen revolvers that would reliably fire magnum primers single action but not double action. Here is just a guess. I would clean it good and look for rough areas in the front of the chambers also.

[Bazoo]

Thats good thinking CG, maybe those that stick are just a touch long. Next time you fire it, figure which is sticking and mark the chamber, and the case so you can examine. Maybe that chamber is a touch short, coupled with the occasional piece of brass that is a little longer.