My son's 659 has developed an issue wth the safety. With an empty mag in an empty gun and the hammer cocked the hammer won't drop when the left side lever is actuated and yet remove the mag and it works every time. The right side (left-handed) lever will actuate the drop, but feels "sluggish" for lack of a better word. In every case it feels very rough. Tried it with a loaded mag also. I'm guessing things are getting worn inside but I've never messed with Smith Gen 2's and could use info and advice. I'm a Smith revolver guy and work on my 1911's, but this is another animal. Don't understand the mag/no mag issue. Thanks.

edit: OK, more info. I can drop the hammer if I push "in" on the top part of the lever after I rotate it into the down position. The hammer block is always rotated into position so gun is safe, it just doesn't drop the hammer. Clear as mud?

The malfunction you describe is usually caused by a worn sear release lever. Lever will become worn on the top and on the bevel itself. (engagement surfaces) The sear can also develope a spot where wear occurs due to contact with the bevel on the bottom of the lever. This problem can also be made worse by the normal wear and tear on the slide and frame rails. This wear can increase the gauge between the safety body in the slide and the top of the s.r. lever in the frame. Wear on these parts (usually the lever itself) causes the release lever to be "late", an results in the malfunction.

If you have a S&W pistol armorer in your area they could probably repair/fit a new release lever for you, or you could call S&W Customer Service to see if they would repair.....1-800-331-0852.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Thanks for the help. Wondering if this is something I can do myself with the right parts. Gonna look into it. Thanks again.

Not a big deal to repair, knowledge of correct disassembly, the right tools and an understanding of the proper operation of the lever. Fitting involves cutting the angle on the s.r. bevel....which causes the sear to be activated (released) at the proper time. I've had them drop right in and time properly without modification, but I wouldn't count on that.

If you are unable to find a repair facility and you want to try to diagnose/repair it yourself let me know. I can send some photos.

Numrich has the new sear release levers.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Thanks, I found a tutorial with pics and am thinking maybe this is more than I want to bite off, what with the fitting of parts, etc. It looks like you have to do some detailed disassembly just to get to the part. I can do Glocks and Ruger SR's not sure if I'll tackle this. Thanks a mil for all the help, my friend. Still thinkin' on it. I know this gun could be used "as is" (range use only) but just hate when things don't work right. Found parts at Brownell's, too.

Thanks for the update....we are interested, or we wouldn't have tried to help in the first place.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I replaced my worn sear release lever and fixed that issue
It was easy enough
Ores part through Numrich, $4 part