29-2 occasional light hammer strikes

[jertex]

My 29-2 that I just got a couple of weeks ago is a sweet-shooting 44 magnum, but I do get light hammer strikes when shooting DA, probably 1 every 8-10 rounds. I suspect it has a lighter-than-factory trigger rebound spring. The trigger pull is exceptionally smooth and I hate to mess with it too much, but the light strikes are unacceptable. Suggestions are appreciated.

 

[s&wchad]

First thing I'd check is the strain screw. It needs to be screwed all the way down.

 

[M29since14]

And of course check to be sure the screw itself has not been shortened and that the mainspring has not been tampered with. New parts might be a good idea. I doubt your rebound spring has much effect on your light strike issue.

 

[Anton Chigurh]

As stated, the rebound spring will have no effect on primer strike. But being light, if you tighten the mainspring tension screw or replace it, the light rebound spring may not readily return the trigger to battery. Might need to replace BOTH springs.

 

[steelslaver]

If your strain screw is tight, get a new one. Measure the new one and the old one. Make the new one is longer than old. They are 32 to the inch threads. That is about .03 per turn. With only occasional light strikes .015 longer shold fix it. Must have same type head as only measurement of thread and tip portion really counts
Of course primers that are not fully seated or excess end shake could also be part of the problem.

 

[pistolpete10]

I would try Federal primers and if they work, problem solved. If you have to shoot factory loads, install a new factory mainspring and make sure the strain screw is unaltered. Then, if D/A pull is to heavy, shoot single action.

 

[ggibson511960]

Easy Checks to Do

After the single or double action sear lets go the list of what can cause light strikes is pretty short; Strain screw on mainspring too loose, excessive rim clearance, and hammer or firing pin scraping on something on the way down. Look at the sides of the hammer for scrape marks. Let the hammer down easy and feel for scrapes on sideplaces of firing pin hole. N-frames are beefy beasts. None of mine have ever failed to light off a cartridge, but none of them have the aforementioned gremlins. I would hazard to say a 29-2 would light a military primer, if they made large ones.

 

[deyomatic]

It doesn't help you at all but I bet you can see if you're flinching when it has a light strike!

 

[dsf]

Costs only a few bucks, but if your strain screw is turned out or clipped, and correcting that results in the trigger return being either too soft or failing, generally a 15 lb rebound screw will work fine.

 

[jertex]

The strain screw was loose by about 1.5 turns, so I tightened & took it to the range yesterday. That seemed to solve the problem. I only fired 12 rounds but no light strikes.

 

[steelslaver]

The strain screw being out 1.5 turns would definitely do it. Use a hollow ground screw driver that fits the screw head slot and tighten it up and it should stay. Check it once in the while.