Recently purchased new-to-me nice Model 66-1. No problem dry firing when purchased. Trigger was smooth and reliable, etc. Cleaned gun last night. It was already in good shape, but wanted to clean bore and chambers before shooting for first time. After cleaning, the trigger will not return to full forward position some of the time -- maybe 1 of 6 times dry fired. Hangs up just as it starts to return to the forward position. Would suspect rebound slide spring except it worked fine before cleaning. Popped slide plate and all looks clean and dry, but there is some kind of problem that I need to fix/have fixed. Have not actually pulled the innards from a Smith for many years and do not want to get it apart and not be able to reassemble in working order. Suggestions for cause of problem and remedy? Know gunsmith is ulimate solution, but wondering what all I should be checking to see if it is something I can take care of. Thanks in advance.

John
Austin, TX

JSoule,

It seems strange cleaning the bore and chambers would or could be the cause for the described trouble. The factory rebound slide spring should have 17 coils, but this info doesn't do you any good unless you remove it, as it is inside of the rebound slide and you cannot see it entirely.

Hope this helps - some
chris

Thanks, Chris. A round of shooting, following by a more thorough cleaning eliminated the problem. I think it must have had to do with the cylinder. Anyway, thanks for your response.

John