Did SA only K38 have different action?

Patrick L · Feb 3, 2021

On the old SA only K38s, were there any changes on the hammer, trigger, etc to alter the feel of the SA trigger pull, or was it just box stock Smith without the DA feature?

It seems like I recall reading that the purpose was to get a lighter cocking/lighter trigger for Bullseye timed and rapid, but I could be wrong.

H Richard · Feb 3, 2021

On factory issued SAO revolvers, the hammer was entirely different, with no provision for a DA sear. When converted outside the factory, usually just the DA Sear was removed and set aside to be re-installed when needed.

mmande · Feb 3, 2021

On factory issued SAO revolvers and kits, the hammer and the trigger were entirely different, with no provision for a DA sear. The hammer also had a shorter "throw". In other words it cocked .090" sooner than DA hammers to help in timed and rapid fire shooting strings in bullseye competition. Lighter trigger pull was accomplished by replacing the trigger rebound spring with a lighter one.
I hope that this helps;
Mike

Patrick L · Feb 3, 2021

Yes, tremendously. Thank you both!

rct269 · Feb 3, 2021

The original terminology applied to the SAO (Single Action Only) K-38 was "Short Action Single Action"----which made for easy understanding of the benefit. The later crop is the same as the original---except for the fact the name lost an important couple of words.

The hammer fall distance of the SAO K-38 is approximately 24% less than the action of other post-war K-38's. Accordingly, the lock time is likewise quicker. The benefit is most enjoyed by the very special few who can shoot as well or better than their guns can----and the rest of us who think we can. (As an aside this benefit is most appreciated by the bullseye shooter, and applies to any/every shot fired---never mind whether it's in slow, timed or rapid fire, as it allows those who can better control the wiggles and wobbles to shoot in between them.)

To avoid any confusion, we have come to refer to pre-war hand ejector actions as "long actions"----to post war actions as "short actions". The SAO K-38 action is shorter yet.

Ralph Tremaine

Patrick L · Feb 4, 2021

Thank you all for helping me understand what these were.

One final question; if you pulled the trigger on an uncocked specimen, I assume that the trigger/hand functions as on a traditional DA/SA model, ie the cylinder would index, but the hammer would just remain at rest?

mmande · Feb 5, 2021

Patrick;
You are correct.

Kinman · Feb 5, 2021

A Model 14 SAO passed through my hands a few years ago, it functioned as was previously mentioned on double action it simply rotated the cylinder, upon cocking and shooting single action I did not have the experience or knowledge to understand it being any shorter or quicker to work the action. It was a slick little bundle but did not fit into my real interest, I traded it off nicely.

Toyman · Feb 6, 2021

The single action either kit or complete gun came with a different trigger return spring #5387.When I attended the armorers school we were advised we could use it to lessen trigger pull but we had to be sure there was balance between main spring and trigger return spring, this was before Wolfe and other offered reduced power springs.

Did SA only K38 have different action?

Patrick L

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H Richard

US Veteran

mmande

Patrick L

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rct269

Patrick L

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mmande

Kinman

Toyman

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