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S&W-Smithing Maintenance, Repair, and Enhancement of Smith & Wesson and Other Firearms.


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  #1  
Old 06-24-2017, 09:18 AM
45colt1 45colt1 is offline
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Default Light Primer Strikes

My Model 67 has been to Smith for combat action package. I have put very few rounds through it. I get light primer strikes on differing brands of ammo and on differing brands of primers in my reloads. Dirt and debris are not the problem. It varies both single and double action. Some will fire on second time around and some will not. Will in your opinion a new mainspring installed locally fix the problem? Really appreciate your expertise, thank you in advance, Harry.
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Old 06-24-2017, 09:22 AM
OKFC05 OKFC05 is offline
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First check that the strain screw is tight.
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Old 06-24-2017, 09:49 AM
45colt1 45colt1 is offline
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Default Strain Screw

Strain screw is tight from factory, hasn't moved. Hammerfall has a tinny sound not like my other Smiths. Harry
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Old 06-24-2017, 09:53 AM
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I would call S&W customer service. You have already paid for a custom job, why start changing parts yourself?
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Old 06-24-2017, 12:15 PM
45colt1 45colt1 is offline
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OKCFCO5 It's been in the safe 2 years, just started using it. I will give them a try. Thanks. Harry
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Old 06-24-2017, 12:29 PM
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I bought a Model 66 and put it in the safe in the early 90s, then got it out in 98 to shoot IDPA with it. I seriously damaged the yoke after a couple of years of IDPA and called S&W for help. I expected to have to pay for a new yoke since it had been so long and I clearly damaged it in competition. I just calmly stated facts and asked for help.
They fixed it free, including installing the new style yoke screw.
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Old 06-24-2017, 12:45 PM
lefty_jake lefty_jake is offline
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I strongly agree that you should not have to fix this yourself and that contacting S&W is the best first step. However, it is quite likely that the issue is a lack of mainspring tension, and this is something that can easily be addressed locally if you need to.

You could also try increasing the mainspring tension adding a shim to the end of the strain screw. The cup from a used small primer makes a good shim that will stay in place on the end of the screw. Just take a spent primer and clean out the inside. Then back out the strain screw a bit, put the primer on the end of it, and tighten the screw down firmly. I would not leave a gun like this permanently, but it makes an effective field repair. If shimming the screw resolves the issue, then you could order a longer strain screw to finalize the repair.

If you have a trigger scale, it would be useful for us to know the weight of the double action trigger pull. This weight gives a good hint about the strength of the mainspring, so it can help us make an assessment whether spring tension is the likely issue.
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Old 06-24-2017, 03:03 PM
45colt1 45colt1 is offline
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lefty jake, Used primer cup, strain screw snugged down, shot box of ctgs. Functioned perfectly, double and single action. Contacting Smith Monday, greatly appreciate everyone's help. Thanks, Harry
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Old 06-24-2017, 03:12 PM
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I have the "primer cup shim" on two of my range revolvers that had lighter mainsprings installed by previous owners. The shim allows me to run the lighter spring (vs going back to stock) and still have reliable ignition on Federal and Winchester Primers (as designed.)
My guess is yours will keep running fine with the fix as well as long as you watch your primer brand.
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Old 06-25-2017, 01:21 AM
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S&W must have filed the strain screw a little too short when they did the trigger job for you. Sounds like a new unaltered screw is needed.

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Old 06-25-2017, 12:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 45colt1 View Post
lefty jake, Used primer cup, strain screw snugged down, shot box of ctgs. Functioned perfectly, double and single action. Contacting Smith Monday, greatly appreciate everyone's help. Thanks, Harry
Glad to hear things are working out well.
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Old 06-25-2017, 04:49 PM
45colt1 45colt1 is offline
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BLUEDOT37, My thoughts exactly on the shortened strain screw. Thanks for your reply. Smith and Wesson does great work. Just a bump in the road . Will talk to them tomorrow. Harry
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Old 06-26-2017, 11:54 AM
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Spoke with Smith & Wesson this morning, they are sending out new unaltered strain screw at no charge. Great company great customer service. Thanks for your help. Harry.
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Old 06-26-2017, 12:36 PM
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Default IT WORKED FINE BEFORE YOU HAD IT "IMPROVED"?

It's an old song, the "can't leave good enough alone" lament. I'm a card carrying member, been there/ done that. The first things I think of when I hear light hammer strikes, are a worked gun, & improperly seated primers (in handloads). It's worth a call to the Mother ship IMO. Whether or not to change a spring or tighten a screw yourself, or via a smith???? Good luck.
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