S&W Model 67 Timing

[hunterek]

I just got a hold of a Model 67 and the timing seems to be off. It won't cock for single action and the cylinder doesn't lock until the hammer falls on double action. I watched the lock works for about 20 minutes trying to dope it out but couldn't see anything obvious. Any recommendations on a source or references that will show me how to make this right?

[chief38]

Jerry Kuhnhausen's book is a good place to start. Sounds like you will need an over size hand at the least.

[saemetric]

Are you sure it hasn't been converted to DAO

[Hapworth]

The Kuhnhausen book is an essential, but unless you're well versed in S&W gunsmithing, this is a job for a pro.

[loc n load]

Having been a police armorer for several decades and having worked on revolvers for over half of my career, I will tell you this. Your revolver has probably had the SA notch removed to prevent it being cocked SA.....this was SOP for a lot of departments so that they could avoid "unintentional shootings" by officers thumbing cocking their revolvers while covering a suspect.
A lot of departments had the hammer spurs removed also, but if it was a holster gun, the spur would be retained to facilitate the use of the thumb strap or break.
Timing / lock up issues need to be addressed by someone who is skilled and experienced with the issues for Smith's. I cannot trouble shoot it with out having it in my hand, but if it is locking up when you deliberately cycle the action DA slowly, then they tend to lock up just as you describe.
When firing normal cadence DA or rapid fire the dynamics of the cylinder rotation, hand ( pawl) engagement will be more normal than if you are slowly working the gun DA. But the bottom line is, if that locking lug is seated into that recess of the cylinder when the hammer falls, then you are Okay.
Guns with "broken timing" will be evident with normal DA firing because the chamber will not be properly aligned or it may skip a chamber or two before it locks up, or it may not lock up at all.
Without having the gun in my hand I cannot tell you definitely what the problem is or if there really is a problem. But if you feel there is a real problem find someone qualified to evaluate and if necessary resolve the issue.

[GLV]

number of 67s were sold by J&G a few years ago, all DA only.

[hunterek]

Thanks guys. I suspected that this pistol was set up purposely for DOA and you have confirmed my suspicion. As a matter of fact I inherited it from an ex police officer (out of Florida) who recently passed away. So now I would like to convert it back for Single Action. Any recommendations on a competent gunsmith in the Midland/Odessa Texas area?

[garbler]

Originally Posted by loc n load

Having been a police armorer for several decades and having worked on revolvers for over half of my career, I will tell you this. Your revolver has probably had the SA notch removed to prevent it being cocked SA.....this was SOP for a lot of departments so that they could avoid "unintentional shootings" by officers thumbing cocking their revolvers while covering a suspect.
A lot of departments had the hammer spurs removed also, but if it was a holster gun, the spur would be retained to facilitate the use of the thumb strap or break.
Timing / lock up issues need to be addressed by someone who is skilled and experienced with the issues for Smith's. I cannot trouble shoot it with out having it in my hand, but if it is locking up when you deliberately cycle the action DA slowly, then they tend to lock up just as you describe.
When firing normal cadence DA or rapid fire the dynamics of the cylinder rotation, hand ( pawl) engagement will be more normal than if you are slowly working the gun DA. But the bottom line is, if that locking lug is seated into that recess of the cylinder when the hammer falls, then you are Okay.
Guns with "broken timing" will be evident with normal DA firing because the chamber will not be properly aligned or it may skip a chamber or two before it locks up, or it may not lock up at all.
Without having the gun in my hand I cannot tell you definitely what the problem is or if there really is a problem. But if you feel there is a real problem find someone qualified to evaluate and if necessary resolve the issue.

This is some pretty good advice from a guy who has worked service revolvers back when service revolvers were king. In the final analysis, and like loc-n-load says, you really need to have the gun in hand to see what is going on. Sounds like it could well be a department conversion since no SA hold is odd.

Strangely enough I have never run into a service piece where they removed the SA notch from the hammer. I understand the logic but never seen one done by a department armorer. When I was in the business you would have thought one or two would have come through the door after law enforcement dropped wheelguns for semi-autos — but nothing. However I have done just the opposite and installed SA only kits for bullseye shooters but that is it.