14-3

[smoky38]

shot my new to me 14-3 today for the 1st time and had several lite primer strikes. CCI 500 primers. All the rounds would fire in another Smith I had with me. The hammer has a very light pull and I wonder if the spring may be light, causing the misfires. The firing pin looks to be in very good shape. This is the target model with wide hammer and trigger and 8 3/8 barrel.

 

[DocB]

Pull the grips and see if somebody has ground down the sides of the mainspring. People loved to do that back in the 80's. It was Bubba's way of "customizing" a gun. If the mainspring looks fine, it's probably just getting old and weak (although I've never had that problem). Get a new mainspring and pop it in.

 

[Jingles]

Check the strain screw before you do any smithing. It should be very snug. A lot of folks back off on the screw to give it a cheap action job, but light primer strikes are the result.

 

[smoky38]

Thanks for the tips guys. I removed the grips and gave the strain screw about 3/4 turn in which seemed to snug it up much better. I do think someone had backed it out. Will give it a test in a couple days.

 

[bananaman]

Look closely at the strain screw. Someone may have ground it down down some. (shortened it) I had 2 Smiths that this was done to in a years time. Not by me. I replaced them and never had a problem since.
14-3's are 1 of my favorite subjects. Let us know how you make out! Bob

 

[smoky38]

just back from the range and the gun did just fine,no miss fires. Thanks to everyone for the help. The strain screw being backed out was the problem and an easy fix. What a great gun, very accurate with my wadcutters. I see why you like these bananaman.