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Old 03-15-2011, 04:14 PM
dedbird3 dedbird3 is offline
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Default S&W 5943

I have a 5943 that I would like to modify. As it sits now it is a DAO with a bobbed hammer and no decocker. Assuming parts are interchangeable from other models (I have not checked this out yet), I would like to install a decocker and exposed hammer. Any thoughts or prior experience doing this would be appreciated. Dedbird
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Old 03-16-2011, 05:36 PM
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Fastbolt Fastbolt is offline
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If it's an original DAO pistol (not a TSW), you might as well look around and try to find a 5903 (alloy frame & stainless slide). The slides and frames for the DAO & TDA (traditional double action, or DA/SA, as it's also called by some folks) were machined differently.

The firing pin retainer in the DAO gun doesn't require the exterior machined recess that the TDA slide uses (to allow for clearance of the left side safety/decocking lever). Also, the rear of the slide was longer because it needed to cover the "located", or partially pre-cocked, DAO hammer when the gun was charged. There's a difference in the parts when comparing the old style machined steel DAO hammers, sears & triggers to the new style parts.

Also, there are a couple of different frames produced in the older DAO guns. The oldest DAO frame lacks a space for the sear release lever to fit (since it wasn't needed in a DAO gun). At one point S&W started machining a slot for a "spacer" lever to fit in the DAO frames in place of the sear release lever used in the TDA frames. (They did this so they could machine the TDA & DAO frames without having to shut down the production line and reprogram the equipment, which reportedly involved a significant cost back in those days.) The spacer lever lacks the "foot" of the regular lever, since it doesn't have to engage the sear nose for decocking, and has a couple of holes in the upper body (to aid in identifying it as not being a sear release lever).

Then, there's the "spring rule" for original DAO guns of different production vintage, which states if the frame has room for 2 levers on the right side, that a spring must be used under the levers, but if the frame only has room for 1 lever, a spring must not be used.

Then, in the TDA guns with decocking capability the sear release levers are fitted parts, requiring the levers to be fitted in each individual gun.

This is what a frame looks like that has space for 2 levers on the right side, with one image showing only 1 lever (firing pin safety lever) and the other showing 2 levers (added space for sear release lever). I'm sorry but I don't have an original DAO frame with room for only 1 lever at hand to use for a picture.



Maybe you can find a nice condition 5903 ...
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Last edited by Fastbolt; 03-16-2011 at 05:52 PM.
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Old 03-24-2011, 04:50 PM
dedbird3 dedbird3 is offline
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Fastbolt: Much thanks for your response. Dedbird
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