Yesterday I bought a 14-3 with target stocks, when I went to take stocks off for initial cleaning before first use it felt like the screw might be buggered, but once off I noticed grip screw was riding right up against main spring. I put a K frame magna from another revolver on and the screw hole puts the screw real close to the spring, but not touching like the targets. Any thoughts?

My first thought is there is something wrong with the arc of the main spring. It could be caused by . . . the strain screw not being tight or fitted improperly (i.e. too short) . . . or a wrong or damaged main spring.

If you're able, take a picture of the left side of the grip frame with the left grip panel removed . . . allowing us to see the arc of the main spring and proximity to the grip screw.

Russ

There is some evidence of the spring having been worked on(it's been filed to narrow it a bit), but magnas from another revolver give more clearance for the screw. I've never owned Target stocks before. I will put other stocks on eventually any way as they don't fit my hands well, just mad that I paid more for this 14-3 than the other 14-3 the pawnshop had that was same vintage(1975ish) and similar condition with magnas.

The screw on one of my 28's with target grips touches the mainspring when shot SA. Everything is box stock.

The gun shoots without exception. I don't worry about it.

Dobie - as Russ suggested and you have seen on yours, mainsprings are tampered with and modified.
Send me a PM with your address and I'll put another one in the mail for you................ maybe it will help with screw location.

Also possible the screw location on the target grips is just a little out of spec.

Larry

Are they Factory original target stocks?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I see no reason to suspect they are not original stocks, they look to have enough wear to match vintage of gun? I'll try to get some pics up in a bit.
VM, I appreciate the offer, but will wait till I investigate further. I shot it the day I bought it after initial cleaning and it shoots great with magnas from one of my 15-3s on it. I put about 150 rds through it using 148 gr DEWC and 158gr SWCs and it ate them both like a champ.

some pics





Hope you guys can see enough to tell me more i.e. get it fixed or no problem

The spring in there now has obviously been fiddled with and likely recurved, I would try another one.

FWIW I have had good luck using the Wolff springs in both regular and reduced power.

Dodie, those grips sure appear to Factory mfg. That is pretty close.
Just try a new factory spec spring and screw. Maybe the grip jig was out of spec. that day. Are the Magnas that close?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

To sum it up: a very inexpensive part that has obviously been messed with is interfering with the function of an other wise stock gun. Isn't the solution obvious? If you can't accept the offer for a free one a new factory mainspring from Brownell's or S&W is in the $10 to $15 range. While you're at, it if the tip of the strain screw was also filed down get a new one in case you want to shoot DA.

Here are comparable pictures of a similar K-frame with targets. Note the clearance between the hammer spring and grip screw . . . with both hammer down and with hammer cocked. It would be interesting to see yours with hammer cocked.










No doubt in my mind I would start with replacing the hammer spring and see if clearance is restored. I would also take VM up on his offer . . . he's a good guy.

Russ

Replace both the Stock Strain Screw and the Mainspring with known NEW
S&W Genuine parts.
Problem will be a thing of the past!

I have every intent of replacing spring. I just got back from the range, and with some judicious and minute adjustment of strain screw I was able to relieve contact with grip screw and still get good primer strikes in both single and double action. Strain screw is unaltered.

Jon

I have the same issue with a 1959 4 screw Model 14. I just replaced the main spring with a Wolf that I had. Problem went away. The gun still shoots minute of squirrel head.

I'm well aware adjusting strain screw is not the propper approach, but I just had to shoot it one more time before new spring arrives.