14-1 hammer switch

[toz]

I have been target shooting my 14-1 for the past two years and it has functioned flawlessly. I was able to obtain a full target hammer (the revolver came with a semi target hammer) from a very generous member of this forum and recently installed it. When dry firing the revolver it functioned as before the hammer switch, flawlessly.

On my first outing with the new target hammer installed, and after firing approximately 40 rounds in single action, I started to experience what I took to be "chicken finger". The trigger pull seemed to increase enormously and I thought the muscles in my finger were seizing up due to holding too long. When this continued to happen I knew it was the gun and not me.

When I pull on the trigger it feels bound up until a very strong pull finally gets the shot to break. I should say that when functioning normally the trigger pull is approximately 2 3/4 lbs. Another unusual occurrence is that occasionally, when cocking in single action, sear engagement will not take place - it's as if the trigger were being held all the way back and the cocking notch has nothing to engage with.

Both the old hammer and the replacement target hammer measure .265". The replacement hammer seems to track straight back and forth with no side play. In single action cock, and under magnification, the sear engagement looks square and consistent. The revolver is clean.

Can anyone offer a possible explanation for what's happening?

Thanks in advance - Bill

 

[retired2006]

Check the trigger overtravel adjustment (trigger stop), it may have come loose, and is stopping the trigger from coming back far enough to cock, and it also may be what is causing the hard pull.

 

[LVBob]

After trying what 2006 suggested. Check the hammer block safety and make sure it didn't jump out of place when you reassembled. Next, when you installed the target hammer did you take anything else apart? Is the hammer new or old? Had it been installed on another gun? Did you use the double action sear from your old hammer or the one on the new hammer assuming there was one? The double action sear is a fited part, sometimes just trading the one off the old hammer will work. You can also try removing the side plate and the main spring. This will allow you to cycling the action while looking for any binding.

 

[toz]

Thank you both for your suggestions.

I've checked the trigger stop and everything is as it should be.

The replacement hammer I installed showed very little wear. I switched out its double action sear for the d.a. sear from the original hammer. No other work was done on the revolver. During the past two years I've shot the revolver many times and not once have I had any problems whatsoever, including no issues with the hammer block safety. With the sideplate off and the mainspring removed I've cycled the action many times trying to spot some sort of problem area. I can find nothing.

Bill

 

[toz]

It was the trigger stop

Retired2006 had it right. When he first suggested it I checked the stop by attempting to wiggle it. It must have been jammed because it didn't move. What I foolishly did not do was actually test the screw to see if it was tight. After going to the range today and experiencing the same problems I opened up the side plate and had this epiphany to, you know, actually see if the screw was loose! It was, I tightened it, the problems went away.

Thank you both once again. - Bill