Recent content by JohnHL

Welcome to The Forum! You are experiencing what S&W armorers (which I am not) refer to as "skips double action". It is related to the drawbar hooks not fully engaging with the double action notches on the hammer. I encountered it on an older 4006 with an old style drawbar that had broken at...

Adjustable rear sight on TSW models is the LPA (from Italy). It was offered as an option from S&W on TSW pistols. It is small sight that fits the standard Novak dovetail on the slide and is NOT the "big eared" adjustable as fitted to the base models that the "uninitiated" love to bad mouth...

Oh I plan to be back next year, Stacey! This year was number 38, and I have no plans to stop! John

Hi, paddlingman! The four conversion parts for your 7 shot 4553TSW from DAO (Double Action Only) to TDA (Traditional Double Action or DA/SA) are: Hammer Trigger Sear Release Lever Manual Safety Body Assembly The Sear Release Lever is a "fitted" part for proper "decock timing". The rest...

I would if I did it. John

Because the front sight is on the shroud which is located by tabs on the frame, I would guess the barrel is torqued to a specification. Whether that is done by hand or by a "torque limited" power driver of some sort, I don't know. I also don't know if it happened during factory assembly or at...

Those threads look HORRIBLE!! And I don't see any way you could have boogered those threads unscrewing the barrel. Must have been cross threaded during an earlier assembly. No wonder it was so difficult to disassemble. John

Weren't there two different length metal base plates for the model 39? John?

"AJD" probably 1985. John

I also have air in my shop and have 1/4" and 3/8" air ratchets, 1/2" and 3/8" impacts (pistol and butterfly in the 3/8"). I used the air tools more when I was working. I still occasionally use a 1/2" electric (corded) impact I've had since the 1970s. Had to replace the internal hammer and...

You're a "tool guy", chief, so I'll see those "speed wrenches" and raise you: Tee-Handles! I've got more than a full set of metric tee handle deep socket wrenches hanging on the pegboard behind my "overhaul bench". I got them in the early 1970s when I first got in to the motorcycle business...

Yup! Got all three. (1/2"; 3/8"; 1/4" Craftsman) Had them for years. Not everyday usage, but still get pulled out for repetitive jobs. Certainly not obsolete, as I was watching the 2025 Indianapolis 500 Tests yesterday evening and the Mechanics were using them to pull and re-install engine...

Tickle them... ;) John

Jimmie, I've got a couple of round trigger guard 5906 pistols. One I converted to "S&W DAO" (just because). I've also got a couple of compact uppers for them when I get the urge to go "short slide" (which isn't very often). As others have unerringly related, they are heavy for the cartridge...

You end label displays a "shipped date" of July 15 1987 in "Julian Form" as the "Spec. Ord." number: 7196 (196th day of 1987). John