K22 Misfires/light strikes?

[45Smashemflat]

Good evening,

Recently found a decent condition Pre-18 5 screw K22 Combat Masterpiece. I did a decent clean up, but NOT a full disassembly. (Popped the side plate off, flushed out obvious crud, lubed a tad, put it back together.). I took it to the range to do some testing with Winchester Super X. Had a few mis-fires. Smacking them again would fire them.

I plan to do a detailed inspection, check end shake etc, but wanted to ask a question. Given the age of this revolver, I wonder if I should plan on new springs. Given that it’s a rimfire, I assume I need to stick with a full power hammer spring. Where is the best place to find them these days?

Any other tips on making this old girl more reliable? I want it to be my trail companion.

 

[Alk8944]

Assuming that the strain screw is tightened and the gun does not have excessive end-shake then replacing the mainspring is a possibility. Surprisingly the best place to obtain a new full-power mainspring is from S&W. Call Customer Service at 800-331-0852 S&W usually does not charge for shipping on parts, everyone else does! There are no after-market springs that are any better than factory!

If end-shake needs to be adjusted Power end-shake bearings are available from Brownell's.

 

[ND Farmer]

Strain screw could have been shortened. Somebody will have the correct measurement. You can put a used primer cup over the end of screw to see if it's a spring pressure problem. Nice gun, they really shoot.

 

[Krogen]

I'd take another crack at cleaning.

Are the cylinder's case head recesses clean? If there's gunk there, it can soften the strike on the cartridge rim.

Are the cylinder charge holes perfectly clean? Cartridges may not go in all the way. You can make sure by plunking in a round. These guns are notorious for difficult extraction. That same issue, if bad enough can make it hard to seat unfired cartridges properly. Your comment that second hits will fire the duds makes me think that the rounds aren't going in all the way.

And finally, is the firing pin moving freely in its channel? 22's are dirty! There may be a buildup of crud hindering the firing pin.

 

[steelslaver]

Clean around the firing pin. You probably don't want to remove the pin to actually remove it so, spray carb cleaner in it from both ways and work it back and forth. Before I stuck in a new main spring I would stick ion a longer tension screw. 8-32 available in the gun screw bins at some Ace hardware stores in various lengths that you can trim with a grinder. Or just pop the little brass anvil out of a spent primer and place the cup over end of your existing tension screw. Don't reload? Cut the head off a piece of fired center fire brass and then stick a very small drill bit or rod in the primer hole and tap out the primer with it over a crack

Clean well under ejector star too.

 

[nedlate]

And maybe try a different brand of ammunition first just to make sure that is not the problem.

Ed

 

[Drm50]

I have bought several S&W revolvers, both RF & CF that suffered lite strikes. 9 out of 10, it’s the strain screw. The other is Bubba filing on main spring or DIY replacement. I’ve never seen one with excessive end play in
K22s that didn’t look thrashed from git-go. Ist move would be to remove grips and check out spring for modifications. Added shims in stain screw point, ect.

 

[Rule3]

Good evening,
I assume I need to stick with a full power hammer spring. Where is the best place to find them these days?

Any other tips on making this old girl more reliable? I want it to be my trail companion.

Make sure the strain screw is tight


https://www.gunsprings.com/SMITH+&+WESSON/K,+L,+&+N+FRAME/cID3/mID58/dID264

 

[45Smashemflat]

Thanks folks! I’ll dig in a bit more and report back. Thanks for all the tips so far!

 

[jeffrefrig]

I'm no gun repairman, but about the strain screw, I have learned about light strikes because of it. Your gun has been around a long time, so if someone did mess with the strain screw it'll be easy to turn. If you have to use penetrating oil on it you may be able to rule out any adjusting recently. I like that spent primer idea up above. You guys are amazing! (I'm easy to impress.)

 

[Marksman]

Suspect #1 would be the strain screw, either not tight or excessively shortened. Tighten if loose and see if that helps if not replace it. The spring may have weakened from metal fatigue over the years, it would be the next thing that I'd replace. A thorough cleaning of the pivot points of the hammer and trigger, lube these points when you re-assemble. A flush and re-lube of the firing pin would also be in order, no need to dis-assemble. Check the sides of the hammer for signs of rubbing on the frame, shim if necessary. Doing all these things should cure the light strikes that you're experiencing, trying different ammo would be another idea too. Good luck and good shooting.