S&W Model 52 lockup

Any smiths on here that can recommend a fix for the slide lockup in a Model 52-2?
Not sure how it happened, but cannot open the slide. There's a round in the barrel, but the slide only moves back an 1/8" or so.
Red dot mounted on slide. But moderate pressure won't move slide.
How to fix?

Did not say if the round is factory or reload. May be an improperly sized round (Bulge, rimmed, or crimp issue) that is stuck in the chamber. 
Fixed a similar problem with a shooters 1911 a few years ago. 
A 3/8 wood dowel in the barrel and pushing against a wood bench may release it enough. Unlikely to exert enough force to overcome the firing pin spring,  but still requires caution. 
Regardless, keep pointed in a safe direction.

NYKenn wrote:Did not say if the round is factory or reload. May be an improperly sized round (Bulge, rimmed, or crimp issue) that is stuck in the chamber. 
Fixed a similar problem with a shooters 1911 a few years ago. 
A 3/8 wood dowel in the barrel and pushing against a wood bench may release it enough. Unlikely to exert enough force to overcome the firing pin spring,  but still requires caution. 
Regardless, keep pointed in a safe direction.

I had a similar situation with a Springfield XDm where the new HTC bullet I was loading was longer than my previous bullet. It jammed the gun out of battery and was stuck in that position.  I did what NYKenn suggests and it worked like a charm.  I was at the range when I did this so had a safe direction to point.  Good luck.
John

This sounds like a bulged barrel. The bushing prevents it from opening. Take bushing out if you can

Sadly, that is the case Bruce. Mystery as to why it occurred though. Didn't see anything out of normal, and suddenly lock up. 
Seems new barrel/bushing is in the works.
Anybody want to part with one?

HBWC .?  What loads?  Might have left a skirt behind

Hiya,
If you’re running HBWC’s it likely popped the top of one bullet off, leaving the skirt behind for the next round to hit. (The pistol will still produce recoil and cycle when this happens which is why it comes as a surprise that the barrel has a bulge) I gave up on HBWC’s about 10 years ago, I’m using a Saeco 148 button nose flat base that I can drive fast enough to stabilize well at 50 yards without worrying about popping the top off the hollow base types from trying to go faster than 710 fps.

Bill Lautherage at Cylinder and Slide used to have a setup to iron the bulges out to make the barrels serviceable. (You could still see the ring internally as the steel is compressed) You may want to give his son a call to see if they still offer that service. The other alternative is to give Jim Jr a call at Clark for one of his fast twist barrels so you can run the HBWC’s slow enough to not separate the base and still stabilize them well enough for 50.

148g Remington HBWC and 2.8g WST powder. My old standby, always worked, loading.
New barrel/bushing on the way from Clark. (Their second barrel order today for a Model 52!)
I'll inquire about Cylinder and Slide doing an ironing procedure, but I feel the barrel is toast for any serious Precision shooting.
Thanks folks!

A 52 recoil spring installed backwards can act this way. - --

I should have said: It might act this way. - 
My brother, a newer Bullseye & 52 shooter, called me saying he couldn't retract the slide after cleaning.- I was no help over the phone. -- He finally got it apart - He said he'd put the recoil spring in backwards which caused the problem.

It's been years since I had a 52, but that sounds familiar.

Russ OR wrote:A 52 recoil spring installed backwards can act this way. - --

Russ- Could you elaborate on this?

An open coil can work its way between a guide rod and the hole it comes thru.  That will jam the slide.

Good to know! Thanks all!