Model 14-1 Hammer/Trigger Swap

[kscharlie]

Nearly 10 years ago, I bought a very nice Model 14-1 at a local auction. I bought it for personal reasons, and it isn't going anywhere. So I decided to letter the gun a few years later and was surprised when it arrived, telling me it was shipped June 28, 1961 as a Single Action variety. Further research indicated it was one of two in that order that left Springfield and those two were the first SAs out the factory door. The only problem was the fact that someone had changed it over to Double Action.

Another few years go by and I obtained a never opened factory SA conversion kit. I got it at the SWCA Symposium in Richardson, Tesas. My intention was to use the kit and convert the gun back to its original SA configuration. As time passed I just could not bring myself to open up that kit.

So I started looking for a used SA hammer and trigger on the auction sites. Found a like new SA target hammer and got it. Several months went by and found a SA target trigger, also like new. Ended up with both of them for a tad over a C note total. After taking a good look at them, I really don't think they had ever been used.

At any rate, I got the parts swapped out and the gun put back together. Everything works perfectly. Timing is spot on, no push off with the hammer, cylinder turns with DA trigger pull and hammer does not move. Maybe I got lucky, but am so happy that this gun is now back to factory original and works like it is supposed to. And I still have the factory SA kit to boot.

 

[Truckman]

I'm also a fan of SAO's, Charlie...When I got home from the gun show this weekend the letter on my 14-3 was waiting for me...I suspected it was an original, and lo and behold it is!...The original numbered Magnas are safely stored in the original box......Ben

 

[Muley Gil]

Actually, the letter should read that the revolver is fitted with a single action HAMMER, not a single action trigger.

If you look at the SA Only kit, the hammer is missing the double action sear. The trigger has the normal profile.

I stand corrected. The triggers are different.

 

[mmande]

"The trigger has the normal profile."
I'm sorry but this statement is wrong. The trigger is also different with no provision to "pick up" and finish the double action on the hammer.
If you just put the single action hammer alone into a double action gun, it will not work. Even if you modify the trigger, you will have a longer hammer pull than if you use the single action trigger. They should be used together to achieve the true Single Action design.

 

[Muley Gil]

"The trigger has the normal profile."
I'm sorry but this statement is wrong. The trigger is also different with no provision to "pick up" and finish the double action on the hammer.
If you just put the single action hammer alone into a double action gun, it will not work. Even if you modify the trigger, you will have a longer hammer pull than if you use the single action trigger. They should be used together to achieve the true Single Action design.

Can you post pictures of the two different triggers?

 

[Truckman]

Can you post pictures of the two different triggers?

I would also like a visual......Ben

 

[mmande]

The only trigger I have is also in a package as shown in the original post.
If you magnify that picture you can see that there is no "shelf" underneath the single action sear as compared to a double action trigger.
Sorry, my picture posting skills are basically nonexistent.
Mike

 

[kscharlie]

Yes, there is a difference with both hammer and trigger. Here is a pic showing both triggers. Trigger on top is DA, trigger on bottom is SA. The red line points to the difference between them.

 

[Keith Brown]

That’s a very nice 14. The six inch K-38 Masterpiece is my favorite post war Smith to shoot. Would like to find a nice clean used one to shoot, have a NIB SA only but prefer to leave it alone. I should grab a kit if I see one and just swap one of mine out. Lots of nice Target guns in this thread.

 

[kscharlie]

"The trigger has the normal profile."
I'm sorry but this statement is wrong. The trigger is also different with no provision to "pick up" and finish the double action on the hammer.
If you just put the single action hammer alone into a double action gun, it will not work. Even if you modify the trigger, you will have a longer hammer pull than if you use the single action trigger. They should be used together to achieve the true Single Action design.

One of the "advantages" of the single action design also changed the length of the hammer fall, giving the gun a faster lock time. Ralph Tremaine refers to this as the short "short action". I suppose that is why the kit came with a rebound spring. But since I didn't want to open the kit, and I had no idea what weight the rebound spring is in the kit, I left the one in it that was already there. Hope that won't make any/much difference. Will find out if/when I ever take it out and shoot it.

 

[kscharlie]

That’s a very nice 14. The six inch K-38 Masterpiece is my favorite post war Smith to shoot. Would like to find a nice clean used one to shoot, have a NIB SA only but prefer to leave it alone. I should grab a kit if I see one and just swap one of mine out. Lots of nice Target guns in this thread.

Thank you Keith. I agree. You really should get a nice shooter. I have two more K-38 Masterpieces, a 1949 narrow rib and a 1950 heavy barrel. Also have a few K-22s and a couple K-32s. Like you, I really like the 6" Masterpiece.

 

[Empe]

Very nice 14-1 and the sealed SA factory trigger kit is pretty nice . I think I'd likely keep it sealed in the package as well .
I purchased a 14-1 a number of years ago in excellent condition with the original serial numbered box and paper work and Target hammer , trigger and a beautiful pair of walnut Target grips...the 3 T's .
Mine is double action .

 

[schutz5]

Charlie,that is nice provenance on your 14 !

 

[Gdogman]

Great looking gun now restored to its factory shipping condition!!!

 

[kscharlie]

Charlie,that is nice provenance on your 14 !

I have a bit more. The gun was shipped to Texas Gun Clinic in Houston, Texas. I have been unable to find out any information on this business. Somehow it ended up in the hands of a Kansas Highway Patrolman with the name of James Adkins. He retired from the KHP on May 17, 1980 with the rank of Major. Jim was a member of the KHP pistol team for a number of years.

Later, Jim and his wife, Elaine, returned to Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, where Jim was born and raised, and where I first met him. At the age of 88, Jim decided it was time to "let go" of a number of his guns and consigned them to a local auctioneer to be added to the next estate auction. It was at this auction on September 12, 2015 when I purchased this 14-1. This was before I had developed my passion for S&W revolvers, and sadly, Jim passed away 3 years later. I never took the opportunity to talk with him about the gun, other than to ask him if he had the box. I have no idea if Jim converted the gun to DA or if it was that way when he obtained it.

At any rate, this gun is a cherished part of my collection.