DECOCKER ISSUES / S&W 1076

I recently purchased a Smith & Wesson 1076 from another forum in California. I've been trying to collect all of the S&W 10mm series and when I received a chance to own a 1076, especially in California where we have to be content on what was in the state before it was walled off from the rest of the country, I jumped on it. I paid a pretty penny for it (north of $1K).

I have owned a lot of 3rd generation S&W semi-autos. However, this S&W 1076 was the first with a decocker in which I knew NOTHING about. When I met the seller at the DROS location I looked over the firearm and everything seemed fine. I pushed down on the decocker and nothing happened. I asked the seller if it was functionally and I got the mumbling something about a magazine, loaded, etc. I went along with the purchase (and to be honest, had it been disclosed to me that the decocker wasn't functional, I would have still bought it).

Yesterday I took it out of the safe and was contemplating a range run (it was actually raining in SoCal). I put a magazine in it and ran the slide back and forward cocking the weapon. I then tried the decocker and nothing. It just freely moved down (but on its own returns to the up position). I loaded the magazine and went outside (I live in the county) and tried the same thing with a live round. Nothing. The decocker definitely doesn't work.

I ask you, the S&W Forum guru's, is there anything I can do myself? Am I just doing something stupid? Is there a broken part that I can fix myself? Or do I need to ship it off to S&W to be fixed?

Thank you all in advance!

You're not doing something wrong. It's the gun. We have several auto gurus here. I'm sure Fastbolt or someone else who knows will come along and tell you what the likely problem might be. Hope you get your 1076 back in order soon.

Before I even loaded my 1076 I sent it in to S&W and had them give it the once-over a few times. I also had them put new night sights on while they had it. They did a detail strip- tested and measured everything, and gave it a clean bill of health. It wasn't cheap (but the sights added a lot to it) but it gave me peace of mind.

For as much as you paid, and considering its current condition, it might be a good idea for you to do the same.

The decocker models, I have a 4536, can be difficult to strip and repair the decocker from all I have heard. There is a forum member here that has taken his apart successfully and has provided very useful advice on these in another thread - use the search.

Let us know what it was when you get it fixed. Not many decocker only models out there so its usefull to get any information on them we can.

The decock lever will move easily when cocked, it pushes the pawl up against a pin on the hammer and applies pressure that pushes the hammer at full spring pressure off the sear, the the pawl trips the sear and the hammer drops forward and the lever drives back up.

Try a little more effort on the decock and see if maybe you're just not going far enough.
You can take a little pressure off the hammer and sear with your thumb and see if it helps with decock.

Something to look at if it not working.
The side plate has a retainer ring that keeps the pin and plate in place.
If this ring is missing and the side plate moves, it can allow the decock lever to disengage and will not function. The grip helps to keep the plate in place but I see it has Houges on it.

You need to start by pulling the grip and see if the retainer ring is on the pin. Also does this one have the two dimples under the decock lever, indicating it had the recall performed.

If the pawl or lever are damaged you'll need to get in there to find out.
Numrich has the parts last I looked.

bigggbbruce said:

Also does this one have the two dimples under the decock lever, indicating it had the recall performed.

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I would check this first - if the recall has not been taken care of, call S&W and they will send you a shipping label.

Yes, if it doesn't have the dimples call S&W. I have sent two guns back to them this year for this recall work, a 1076 and a 5926. Didn't cost me a penny.

What is the recall?

SMITH & WESSON
MODEL 1026, 1076, 4526, 4536, 4576, 5924,
5926, 6924 and 6926 PISTOLS

RECALL: Models affected have frame mounted decocking levers.

Other model Smith & Wesson pistols are not affected by this advisory.

We have determined that it is possible for a Smith & Wesson Third Generation 9mm, 10mm and .45 ACP pistol with a frame-mounted decocking lever to malfunction so as to make the pistol inoperable.

In order to safeguard our customers from the possibility of such a malfunction, Smith & Wesson will inspect and, if necessary, modify these pistols free of charge. Owners of Smith & Wesson 9mm, 10mm and .45 ACP pistols featuring a frame-mounted decocking lever with model numbers listed above, and which do not have two dots stamped on the frame underneath the decocking lever (when the lever is depressed) should send their pistols and accompanying magazines to Smith & Wesson for a no-charge inspection.

Please send your pistol and magazines to:


Smith & Wesson
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01102-2208
Attn: Service Department-DL

If you have any questions regarding this product advisory, please call 800-331-0852 ext. 211.

While we have your pistol, our armorers will stamp your pistol with two dots under the decocking lever, and give your pistol an ultrasonic cleaning and full lubrication (a $25.00 value) at no charge.

We apologize for this inconvenience. Smith & Wesson remains committed to building the safest, most reliable and finest-performing firearms possible.

Source:
•AFTE Journal, October 1991; Volume 23, Number 4:939
•American Rifleman, October 1991; page ?
•Guns & Ammo, October 1991; page 112
•Shooting Times, November 1991; page 95
•American Handgunner, November/December 1991; page 128

M29since14 said:

What is the recall?

Click to expand...

In 1991 there was a recall on all of the guns with the frame mounted decocker. Apparently there were a couple instances where FBI 1076's had the decocker jam rendering the guns inoperable. S&W presumably strengthened the design and recalled all of the guns to fix them. This applied to all frame decockers in all calibers.

It looks like jsbethel types a lot faster than I do!

Thanks for the help guys!

Funny. I called S&W Customer Service yesterday before being aware of the recall that jsbethel mentioned above and asked the CS representative if I can buy spare parts for my S&W 1076. He asked what was the problem with it and I told him the decocker wasn't functioning correctly. He asked for the serial number and then immediately said he would send me a shipping label and that I should send the pistol to S&W immediately for a thorough evaluation.

Today it gets shipped to S&W (they sent a FedEx label). I'll keep you guys posted as to what happens.

As a side note is it easy to find/get the factory replacement grips for this S&W 1076? I'm a bit of stickler on having things "correct" when I can.

Thank you all again for the fantastic input!

KEVCON said:

As a side note is it easy to find/get the factory replacement grips for this S&W 1076? I'm a bit of stickler on having things "correct" when I can.

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I believe all factory 1076 grips have been discontinued by S&W.
Here are the part numbers for your search -

203630000 GRIP, CURVED
203650000 GRIP, STRAIGHT
205000000 GRIP, PALM SWELL

KEVCON said:

Thanks for the help guys!

Funny. I called S&W Customer Service yesterday before being aware of the recall that jsbethel mentioned above and asked the CS representative if I can buy spare parts for my S&W 1076. He asked what was the problem with it and I told him the decocker wasn't functioning correctly. He asked for the serial number and then immediately said he would send me a shipping label and that I should send the pistol to S&W immediately for a thorough evaluation.

Today it gets shipped to S&W (they sent a FedEx label). I'll keep you guys posted as to what happens.

As a side note is it easy to find/get the factory replacement grips for this S&W 1076? I'm a bit of stickler on having things "correct" when I can.

Thank you all again for the fantastic input!

Click to expand...

Check the bottom of the grip for a dimple. there is a recall on them as well. mention it in your return letter.(if it doesnt have a dimple. I sent mine in for the decocker recall and they replaced the grip as well.

vinny

vinny77 said:

I sent mine in for the decocker recall and they replaced the grip as well. vinny

Click to expand...

Since the Hogue grips pictured have probably been user modified to allow for the decocker movement, perhaps S&W will install new factory grips as part of the evaluation.

KEVCON said:

Thanks for the help guys!

Funny. I called S&W Customer Service yesterday before being aware of the recall that jsbethel mentioned above and asked the CS representative if I can buy spare parts for my S&W 1076. He asked what was the problem with it and I told him the decocker wasn't functioning correctly. He asked for the serial number and then immediately said he would send me a shipping label and that I should send the pistol to S&W immediately for a thorough evaluation.

Today it gets shipped to S&W (they sent a FedEx label). I'll keep you guys posted as to what happens.

As a side note is it easy to find/get the factory replacement grips for this S&W 1076? I'm a bit of stickler on having things "correct" when I can.

Thank you all again for the fantastic input!

Click to expand...

Only place I know you can still get them is here: https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/339230.htm

KEVCON said:

Today it gets shipped to S&W (they sent a FedEx label).

Click to expand...

.

Did you check to see if it already has the two dimples under the decocker lever before it when out?

.

As an aside, I've noticed some de-cock lever parts on ebay. Type WESSON 1026 in the search box and you'll see some parts available. Try not to cry about the magazine prices...

My response its a little late to say the least. I have experienced a malfunctioning decock lever on several of my 1076s. The reason was always the same. The lever must engage the pawl correctly. If it doesn't you get the non functioning lever. Anything that impacts the the lever assembly, such as installation of a new grip, can throw it out of wack. It takes practice and experience, i.e., it's a pain in the butt, to assemble the lever parts correctly. This assembly is one of the things gunsmiths cite when calling it a "complicated gun" to work on. S&W will set it right and install at straight grip if you request it.