Tips for replacing the sear release lever in a 915? Plus other ramblings.

[aurora40]

I bought a 915 recently that has a problem with the sear release lever. It can be cocked on safe. Actually removing and replacing the lever looks pretty straight forward. But I understand they had some amount of fitting. My plan now is to look at the old one and the new one to figure out where they adjusted it. But I thought I'd see if there's anything to keep in mind or any gotchas or whatever.

I bought this for a song, and knew it had this issue. Also that the sights aren't great and it seems fairly inaccurate. But I like the look and idea of 3rd gens and figured it might be fun to try to sort through the problems.

The first thing I did was call S&W about being able to cock it on safe. I was surprised when the rep put me on hold and then came back to tell me my 915 was a decocker-only model and that was normal. I mentioned then that the decocker sure seems broken, because the lever stays in whatever position you switch it to, it doesn't rebound back after decocking. He said those guns were before his time and he didn't know if that was how the decocker lever worked. He was not impolite or anything, but was quite convinced my 915 was fine.

I was surprised they don't have some reference or something for all of their firearms. He said he asked another rep what the 915 was. If one isn't familiar with the firearm, it would be difficult to explain over the phone about the issue. So I didn't see the point in continuing the conversation. Also it's an older firearm that I bought used, so I don't feel like S&W owes me any sort of support.

Anyway, I considered sending an email instead so that I could send photos of it, but figured I'd just buy the part and try the repair myself.

I also notice when reassembling, that after pushing down the levers to slide the slide on, it will get stuck just barely in front of the hammer and not move further back. I have to try to cock the hammer and release it and randomly then the slide will go on all the way. Something I'm doing wrong?