Is "push-off" really such a big deal?

fat tom · Apr 17, 2015

I have a couple of older revolvers that suffer from push-off. Since I am the only one who shoots them and am fully aware of the problem,is it a source of major concern? FWIW,I've never dropped a gun and don't intend to start now. Opinions welcomed. Just try not to openly insult my intelligence.

f.t.

John R · Apr 17, 2015

Hopefully you never drop any of your guns, If it were me I'd try to have it repaired.
With that being said, if your the only one that shoots them fixed or not just be careful when the gun is loaded to have the gun always pointed in a safe direction before cocking the hammer.

hobby-gunsmith · Apr 17, 2015

push off

It would be beneficial to you and if you want to sell the gun in the near future to have it function properly. It is an easy fix with a couple of stones. Take out the hammer and set it on a flat smooth surface such as a marble piece and lay the hammer down on the surface. Use a coarse stone and stone it flat against the notch and stone it towards you and at the end of the stroke, finish it with a curving outward swing to complete the stroke. Do this a couple of times and then switch to a finer stone and do the same. You would finish the job with a polishing stone. Easy, simple and a quick fix.

Nick

shawn mccarver · Apr 17, 2015

Theoretically, push off is only a problem if you shoot single action. If you only shoot double action, it is not a problem.

I would suggest, however, that if the single action feature is still in the revolver, then you should either: (1) have it PROPERLY repaired; or, (2) completely remove the single action capability rendering the revolver DAO.

Even if you are the only shooter, if you have it cocked, and it gives way, you best hope that the shot goes harmlessly down range. Sorry, but the push-off condition is so potentially dangerous, i.e. the weapon could fire when you do not intend, it is just not worth the risk. Get it repaired for your sake and the sake of everyone who shoots with you or near you at the range.

Bobbysixkiller · Apr 17, 2015

You could easily just cut the hammer spur off.

Camster · Apr 17, 2015

shawn mccarver said:
Theoretically, push off is only a problem if you shoot single action. If you only shoot double action, it is not a problem.

I would suggest, however, that if the single action feature is still in the revolver, then you should either: (1) have it PROPERLY repaired; or, (2) completely remove the single action capability rendering the revolver DAO.

Even if you are the only shooter, if you have it cocked, and it gives way, you best hope that the shot goes harmlessly down range. Sorry, but the push-off condition is so potentially dangerous, i.e. the weapon could fire when you do not intend, it is just not worth the risk. Get it repaired for your sake and the sake of everyone who shoots with you or near you at the range.

I agree.You don't have to drop it to have an AD.

jrd1976 · Apr 17, 2015

I vote for the repairs for several reasons.

First for safety. Unrepaired, the gun is not safe. At some point in time, some new shooter may want to try out "that old revolver" because they've never seen one before. And for your safety as well.

Second, if you are ever involved in a self-defense shooting or accidental discharge injuring someone with one of them, it will appear you are negligent in firearm safety by having unsafe firearms, which will undermine your credibility.

Third, one day your heirs or family may want to sell them. How will they be made fully aware of the danger if something befalls you and you don't make it home some day?

Fourth, if the problem is a broken or damaged hammer pin or trigger pin, that can only cause the push off to get worse and cause more damage to the sear.

Five, depending on how old the guns are, parts are sometimes hard to find. Get them before they are impossible to find.

ontargetagain · Apr 17, 2015

Good timing in this subject. Made a purchase off Gun Broker recently on a 14-3 and discovered it has 'push off'. A little deeper look shows me the trigger sear nose was beveled at some time and someone put a very very short return spring in it. Doesn't look like the SA sear notch on the hammer is botched up so this may become a learning project for me.
Curious, do you know what your SA trigger pull is? Do you know if the springs in your guns were altered at anytime? Do you know if the strain screw is original, modified or in tight? Some of these can contribute to this 'push off'. The one I have pushes off at about 5.5lbs and has a scary 1.6lb SA trigger.

The gun I received is also missing the hammer block! Yikes! I also want to say the seller on GB has been very willing to accept the return and or make compensation for the faults, one of the best sellers I have dealt with.
Karl

ken158 · Apr 17, 2015

Liability and especially as a known liability having a gun in service with a mechanical defect could get you sued if anything bad should happen...

BE Mike · Apr 17, 2015

I have bought guns that were somebody else's problems, but the ones I own have all the safety features operable and no problems. When problems are identified, they get fixed.

4barrel · Apr 17, 2015

It is a very big deal. I would maybe buy a used hammer for $50 & if that don't fix u got a spare.

Easy enough to replace. Swapping hammers may fix one of them. I have had a couple do this 40 years ago. One by a so called gunsmith doing a trigger job which I bought a $ 70 hammer from S&W & fixed my self after I paid him $35 for the trigger job. I was lucky enough to be friends with a good gunsmith later on that we did swap out work & he taught me a lot. I worked on his cars & he would show me how to fix a gun problem. He had a red 70 Chevelle LS6 454 4 speed so I probably came out ahead.

murphydog · Apr 17, 2015

There is push off and there is push off. A big difference between needing to push hard on the cocked hammer to get it to move off the sear, vs. just breathing on it

.

However, given the relatively simple fix and/or availability of parts, personally I would get it fixed.

dennis2146 · Apr 17, 2015

fat tom said:
I have a couple of older revolvers that suffer from push-off. Since I am the only one who shoots them and am fully aware of the problem,is it a source of major concern? FWIW,I've never dropped a gun and don't intend to start now. Opinions welcomed. Just try not to openly insult my intelligence.
f.t.

As a firearms instructor I doubt anybody will TELL you to have your guns repaired but let me try to explain why you should.

If you die tomorrow and you leave the guns to somebody they may/may not know about the unsafe condition. Let's face it, it is an unsafe condition even for you. I know you would have a hard time living with yourself (even if you were dead) if a loved one or best friend was injured or killed because they did not know about it.

Secondly, I doubt the push off condition did not happen overnight. At one time it was working properly and now it is not. What if it continues to get worse until you load it up one day and the unthinkable happens. I know we all never point a gun at anything we don't want to destroy but I have had even other firearms instructors pass a loaded gun past my body. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. It does happen even to the best of us.

Thirdly, what is the reason not to get the gun(s) repaired? Even if you had to have the hammer/trigger replaced it can't be that much relative to the safety of yourself and others you care about. Most likely it could simply need the notch reworked.

FWIW: I have never many things but that doesn't mean I can't do a bunch of things such as drop firearms tomorrow.

I am a newbie here and am only offering a suggestion.

Dennis

fat tom · Apr 17, 2015

Okay! Y'all have convinced me. Thanks for all of the replies.

f.t.

gmborkovic · Apr 17, 2015

Tom, arent you glad you asked? Mike 2796

chief38 · Apr 18, 2015

As pointed out, If something happens to you will the person inheriting the gun know there is a problem with it? Will you remember it yourself in 5 years? These things happen because engagement surfaces are wearing and they only get worse - not better. If it's bad now it will only be worse 5 years from now. You also might as well repair it now while parts are at least gettable. Will they be in five years?

Rick_A · Apr 18, 2015

Yes, it should be fixed.

It puzzles me that most push off issues appear to be the result of bubba gunsmithing. Most of these guns have a 3-4lb SA pull, so it's kinda pointless to alter that.

If it hasn't been excessively "pushed off" the hammer should be fine and the trigger may be reparable with some careful stoning as depicted here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/94072-faqs.html#post1029059

sodacan · Apr 18, 2015

Your way of thinking and the problem itself is an accident waiting to happen.

fat tom · Apr 18, 2015

Enough already. I get it. Thanks again.
f.t.

BE Mike · Apr 18, 2015

fat tom said:
Enough already. I get it. Thanks again.
f.t.

Come on now Tom, you knew in the back of your mind that you needed to get them fixed, didn't you?

Is "push-off" really such a big deal?

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