I picked up a 53 & 34 cheap as they had rusted in a cardboard box (pitted). After dealing with the rust and finish, I'm in the process of rebuilding them.

The 53 trigger fails to reset most of the time when the hammer block is installed. If I remove it, trigger reset works perfectly.

Should I try a new hammer block or?

I would re clean the slot for the hammer block and just slightly round the corners and smooth the flag and its arm. It sound be 100% drag free. Also check that the flag didn't get bent a bit. Itt wouldn't hurt anything to use a new flag.

Hammer blocks can often impede the trigger return because the are just a bit too long. As the trigger returns, the "flag" at the top of the hammer block has to move up between the front of the hammer and the frame opening for the hammer. If the block is too long, it can catch on the hammer, just below the hammer nose area.

You can easily confirm the hammer block is to blame by removing the block, putting the sideplate back on and function testing the revolver without it.

Very easy to solve the issue by crowning the sharp edge on each side of the flag at the very top of the block.

Prior to work photo:




After removal of material from both sides of the top of the flag:

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

You picked-up two cool Smiths. The 53 with 22Jet is particularly fun to shoot at the range.

Best regards,

Thanks to steelslaver and armore951 for their assistance.

Once both guns are complete, I'll post some photos.

On the 53 having trouble with the firing pin for the 22lr. It would only fire a few rounds. Before taking it apart, I pushed on it at the center fire pin. The 22lr pin would not allow me to push it forward very far.

I took both pins & springs out and cleaned them and the holes they fit in and am ready to try again. But am having a terrible time getting them installed with the cover plate. Suggestions? Also, is anyone aware of the actual length of the two pins?

I also had an issue with ejecting fired casings. I had to rap the extractor against the bench to remove them. I did notice that two cylinders have some pitting on them. I could polish them more with emery cloth unless there is a better option?

I have no advice concerning the firing pin issue but polishing the Chambers is a great idea to help out with sticky extraction. I am sure it will help. Good luck to you.

I would make sure they were absolutely clean of rust before doing any honing. Then use only very fine emery (400 grit) or a swab with some rubbing compound. A replacement 22lr or 22 jet cylinder for a model 53 is super hard to find. The 22 lr cylinder is NOT the same as a regular K frame 22 cylinder. It is longer. You can easily clean up the cylinders with a reamer by the way. A 22lr and 22 Jet reamers are avalible from 4D Reamer Rental