22/32 heavy target safety question

[pastorp]

All my experience with S&W revolvers has been with post war revolvers until I recently developed and interest in the pre-war guns.

I just purchased a 22/32 heavy target and love the way it feels. However at full cock you can push the hammer off the sear by a slight nudge on the tip of the hammer.

Everything else apears to be normal and safe. Is this common for a 1920 vintage model? Were there improvements that solved this problem at a later date? Thanks for your help, Byron

 

[pastorp]

All my experience with S&W revolvers has been with post war revolvers until I recently developed and interest in the pre-war guns.

I just purchased a 22/32 heavy target and love the way it feels. However at full cock you can push the hammer off the sear by a slight nudge on the tip of the hammer.

Everything else apears to be normal and safe. Is this common for a 1920 vintage model? Were there improvements that solved this problem at a later date? Thanks for your help, Byron

 

[mikepriwer]

P

No - that is not common for 1920's guns, nor is it common for any S&W's .

More than likely, someone has messed with the single-action notch on the foot of
the hammer. Or, they have messed with the single-action knife-edge of the
trigger.

Best thing is to take it to a competent gunsmith. If you want to understand what
is happening, remove the side plate, and pull the hammer into full cock. Watch
carefully what happens when the toe of the hammer engages the knife-edge of the
trigger. Then, push the hammer, and you will see the knife-edge slip out of the
notch.

Sometimes you can correct this with a sharp file, by carefully deepening the
notch just a bit. But - examine it carefully, to understand what is happening.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[pastorp]

Thanks Mike, That is really what I suspected but wanted confirmation. Regards, Byron

 

[cgt4570]

Make sure the mainspring strain screw is all the way in and tight. That can cause push-off sometimes, too.

 

[pastorp]

cgt4570, thanks. The strain screw is all the way in and tight. Byron