Converting DA/SA to SA only?

Pvt.Joker · #1 01-26-2011, 03:59 PM

Hi. I've been getting some requests from folks about converting their DA/SA S&W revolvers to SA only. I'm curious as to if this can be done and how to go about it. I'm mostly a pistol guy, but if it is a relatively simple mod, it might be worth looking into. I've got an 01 FFL, so I would think that it would fall under the gunsmithing aspect of the license. Anyone know of a tutorial/have any examples? Thanks.

handgunner356 · #2 01-26-2011, 04:25 PM

Unless you're shooting Bullseye I not sure why you would want it single action only. But all you would need to do is remove the DA sear from the hammer and you'd have it.

Pvt.Joker · #3 01-26-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handgunner356

Unless you're shooting Bullseye I not sure why you would want it single action only. But all you would need to do is remove the DA sear from the hammer and you'd have it.

It has to do with California's laws about sending them DA/SA revolvers, appearantly. I had a couple of potential customers wanting me to remove the double action feature of their revolvers to make them legal to ship there, and was wondering how to go about it (or if it could even be done without messing up the SA function of the firearm).

Shooting4life · #4 01-26-2011, 05:05 PM

It is for ca, I am having a 617 done like this so it can be sent in legally to ca. All that needs to be done is removing the double action sear from te hammer. It is about a 5-10 minute job if you havedone it before.
The conversion is completely legal as single action revolvers are exempt from the approved handgun roster as long as they have a 3 inch barrel and are 7.5 inches in oal.
On a related note, my self and many other gun owners in ca appreciate you thinking about doing this. Some others have made a business as being middle men because some people won't ship legal items to ca.

Pvt.Joker · #5 01-26-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shooting4life

It is for ca, I am having a 617 done like this so it can be sent in legally to ca. All that needs to be done is removing the double action sear from te hammer. It is about a 5-10 minute job if you havedone it before.
The conversion is completely legal as single action revolvers are exempt from the approved handgun roster as long as they have a 3 inch barrel and are 7.5 inches in oal.
On a related note, my self and many other gun owners in ca appreciate you thinking about doing this. Some others have made a business as being middle men because some people won't ship legal items to ca.

Well, I am an FFL in TN who is setting things up to do just that very thing. I'm already registered with the CFLC (and sent my first rifle to CA the day before yesterday) and discussed doing that with my ATF rep, who gave me the go-ahead. So if you need an intermeadiary transfer FFL, just let me know at [email protected] and I will be glad to help out. I charge $25 plus the shipping so long as the gun is CA-legal, and am wanting to do this DA-to-SA-only conversion (and other CA-only mods) to help with CA sales as needed (for an extra charge above the $25, of course). It seems like a good potential revenue stream, AND in the process also helps CA gun owners to have access to legal firearms that other sellers are unwilling- for whatever their reasons- to want to send to CA.

Matter of fact, I came over here asking about the project based on your and another person's PMs on Calguns.

Small world, eh? So do you have any photos, etc. of the task? it may well be a 10-minute job "if you have done it before", but what about for those of us who haven't? If I can figure out HOW to do it properly, I'd be glad to offer the service to you and anyone else needing it. I just need to know exactly how to go about it properly, so I don't screw up your- or anyone else's- revolvers in the process. I won't take on a job unless I believe I can do it right and have the customer be satisfied in the end.

Shooting4life · #6 01-26-2011, 05:37 PM

Here is a picture of a normal hammer for a s&w n frame. The little lever looking thing that is sticking out is the double action sear. The pin needs to be removed and the lever comes out then the gun is reassembled.

Here is a picture of a hammer that came from s&w that is single action only. It does not have the lever shown above

These are not the best pics but it is the best I could do with my phone right now. If someone else can take a couple of better pictures I would appreciate it.
Thanks
Jordan

Pvt.Joker · #7 01-26-2011, 06:38 PM

So with the pin simply knocked out and the DA sear removed, the hammer and trigger still work as SA only? Seems simple enough. Are there any problems with the reduced hammer weight? Or is there something more to this? What about the S&W single action kit shown; why would they offer that if it is just a matter of removing the pin and the DA sear?

WHO CARES · #8 01-26-2011, 07:36 PM

On the SA Kit there is no cut in the hammer for the DA sear's installation. The DA hammer has the cut and you can use the sear or not according to taste.

Simply removing it might not fit into California's plans......?

Shooting4life · #9 01-26-2011, 07:54 PM

Removing does make it legal to import as long as the gun meets the size requirements I stated above. Te change does not have to be permanent, just needs to show up at the ffl that way and stay that way for the 10 days it is in background check. Since the gun is legal to own in sa/da then you can convert it back to correct once it is in your possession as a revolver is not illegal to own.

rkrcpa · #10 01-26-2011, 09:46 PM

How stupid is this. I mean really, are they kidding. I don't know what's worse, NJ or CA.

Okay, NJ is worse but CA is a close second.

Shooting4life · #11 01-26-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkrcpa

How stupid is this. I mean really, are they kidding. I don't know what's worse, NJ or CA.

Okay, NJ is worse but CA is a close second.

Lcav and Brady give it to ca as the worst.
http://www.lcav.org/Gun_Laws_Matter/...tter_Chart.pdf
http://www.bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/scorecard/CA

Nframe357 · #12 04-28-2011, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shooting4life

Here is a picture of a normal hammer for a s&w n frame. The little lever looking thing that is sticking out is the double action sear. The pin needs to be removed and the lever comes out then the gun is reassembled.

Here is a picture of a hammer that came from s&w that is single action only. It does not have the lever shown above

These are not the best pics but it is the best I could do with my phone right now. If someone else can take a couple of better pictures I would appreciate it.
Thanks
Jordan

Ok to be clear on this, the small black lever thing on the front side of the hammer is the sear? Correct?

tomcatt51 · #13 04-28-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nframe357

Ok to be clear on this, the small black lever thing on the front side of the hammer is the sear? Correct?

Yes, "the small black lever thing on the front side of the hammer" is the "sear" per S&W's nomenclature.

haggis · #14 04-28-2011, 03:40 PM

Post #7 in this thread,

FAQ's

will show you how to detail strip the revolver. Once you get the hammer out, you can remove the DA sear pin, sear, and sear spring and then reassemble the gun.

Do not pry the sideplate off - just vibrate only.

If you're new to S&W revolvers, there's a goodly amount of information in this thread that may be interesting.

Buck

Nframe357 · #15 04-28-2011, 03:52 PM

Got it, it's really easy to do, roger the sideplate it's takes a bit of tapping but it does come off. Cali and it's ridiculous laws...

stantheman86 · #16 04-28-2011, 08:51 PM

I've done it, just for fun.

The 10-10 on the top started out as a $200 beater, I added a .38 S&W cylinder I got for $10, removed the DA sear on a spare hammer I had, and put some hideous target grips on it. I don't know why I did it, just for "grins and giggles", I did put in a super heavy mainspring and the DA pull was so stagy and heavy it wasn't even worth using, so I "deactivated" it to SAO. It's a fun backyard plinker, I converted to .38 S&W because it's quieter than .38 Special so I can plink without bothering the neighbor's rugrats.

The 14 8 3/8" I did right, paid a pretty penny for a NOS set of SAO Target hammer and trigger sold as set like pictured above. Dropped right in, added an 11# rebound spring, it's like a glass rod now. I wanted a "serious" 25 yard Bullseye revolver, now I just need a match to shoot in.

WildBillD · #17 04-29-2011, 10:58 AM

We have some really stupid laws out here. That's because our state is run by morons.

We all know that criminals and gang-bangers fully register their weapons, do the 10 day waiting period before they pick up a new gun (slows down drive-by's that way), and other wise obey the law.

So having a law that says you can take a really nice DA and turn it into a SA really makes no sense, at least to this old man.

CelticSire · #18 04-29-2011, 12:42 PM

One fact to remember is that if you remove the double action sear, the original sear needs to be reinstalled as it is NOT a drop-in part. The sear is fitted to the trigger and another sear may work correctly, but chances are slim. Usually they require fitting, which is a task that requires skill and patience. Is it legal to ship the removed sear with the firearm, or would it have to be shipped seperately, and can it be shipped to CA legally?