After several years of sitting in the gun safe, I’ve decided to try yet again to get my 1971 vintage M36 to be as “smooth” as the other J frames that I own. My history with this gun goes way back. I’ve tried every trick in the “how to books” as to getting a smooth trigger pull back, then relax your finger and let the trigger all the way out. I’ve polished the rebound slide multiple times, tried all the different rebound springs that Wolfe offers, polished the inside of the side plate, oiled/lubed internals, tried different hammers, etc..., dry fired until the cows come home. When I slowly, slowly relaxed my trigger finger, I feel a distinct bump, just in the last quarter inch before the trigger is fully forward. I compared with other 70’s J frames that I own and they don’t have this “resistance” just before full trigger reset. What would be causing this hang-up ? I’m not interested in obtaining a light trigger pull, just a smooth, no glitches pull. Thanks.

What you are feeling is likely either resistance from the top edge of the hammer hook pushing the cylinder stop forward, or the resistance from the sharp edge of the opposing hammer seat on the top of the rebound slide, and the rebound seat on the bottom of the hammer as they cam over each other.....or a combination of these two forces.

Probably the best way to check for the source of the resistance is to remove the mainspring and sideplate, and then slowly cycle the action by hand. You can usually feel where the resistance is coming from in this manner. Do not cycle the action under mainspring tension with the sideplate off.

The sharp edges mentioned can be broken with a stone and then polished with crocus or a ceramic stone. The dimensions of the parts should not be altered.....just the edges broken and polished.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Thanks. Slowly cycling the trigger with the side plate off was my next idea. I will check the areas that you mentioned.