Model 19-9 Cylinder turns but hammer does not engage.

[Vaeox]

Hello Folks,
I am new to the revolver world - however I came across an issue with my Model 19-9

When I ride the trigger back slowly after firing, the cylinder will rotate, but the hammer will not cock back. It moves just ever so slightly.

I read the forums and understand this could be a operator error, causing a short stroke.
However upon reading more - I noticed a difference.

When I am releasing the trigger after firing, if I try to pull trigger after first click, cylinder rotates but hammer doesn't engage, same thing as the initial post above.
When I am releasing the trigger after the second click - the same thing happens.

What I am wondering is, shouldn't the revolver lock up? IE not rotate cylinder, and not let trigger get engaged?

Also I will note, if I slowly release trigger, and then even take finger off the trigger, I notice it will still rotate cylinder, but not engage hammer.

Is the trick to let the trigger return briskly? even when I let go of trigger after a slow release, and re-engage the trigger it still results in a "Short stroke". (cylinder moves but hammer doesnt engage).

Just looking for some advice, should I send this back to Smith and Wesson for a look? I seen another forum post where a fella had mentioned smith took a look and found it needed sear and sear spring added.

Any advice is helpful, thank you.

I tried my 586-8 and even when I let the trigger reset very slowly, it still works fine (cylinder rotates and hammer engages).

Thanks all!

 

[snw19_357]

...ride the trigger back slowly after firing, the cylinder will rotate...

cylinder rotates as you release the trigger?!

 

[geekeye]

it's a little difficult to understand the behavior you are describing, but if you are saying that under some circumstances pulling the trigger does not cause the hammer to pull back, my guess would be that there is an issue with your sear spring (it's fallen out or not seated properly).

 

[kaaskop49]

Make sure the sideplate screws are properly (not over-) tightened. I've had this problem on occasion and this has helped. Don't know the rationale, though. Have found this to occur on new, out-of-the-box revolvers.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[RevolverJim]

Sounds like the trigger is not completely rebounding to it's normal at rest position.

Or, the double action sear isn't returning to it's normal at rest position, due to poor fitting or maybe the sear spring is out of position/broken as was mentioned earlier.

 

[JAREDSHS]

Not trying to be a know it all here but S&W revolvers are not designed to function like you describe doing , so stop doing it. Pull or squeeze the trigger straight through-the weapon fires-release the trigger forward all the way- do it again for the next cycle.

 

[pistolpete10]

If you don't allow the trigger on a S&W revolver to go all the way forward it won't pick up the hammer, the cylinder may turn but it won't operate the hammer. It has happened to me when shooting fast. If the rebound spring is weak it makes the problem worse. If it's happening when the trigger is going all the way forward it needs to go back to W&W for repair. Good luck with that. If it's a new gun it is just another example of the current S&W quality work.

 

[steelslaver]

If you do not let the trigger completely reset or the rebound spring is to weak to do this the trigger will not engage the double action sear or fly and the hammer will not move back, same thing will happen if the double action sear is gummy or the spring for it is weak.. Bought a model 19 cheap from exactly that reason. The cylinder would turn but the hammer would not go back. I stopped at a parts house, removed stocks and sprayed it down with brake cleaner and had a nice functioning 4" model 19.

Your gun has the newer style double action sear and spring and the spring can be tricky to get in without damaging it. Ask how I know. LOL

This is an enclose hammer J frame but your DA sear operates the same. The sear spring is at the tip of white arrow. The flipper at tip of arrow is the DA sear and it catches the trigger and starts hammer back in double action

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

In your case, a video would literally be worth a thousand words

 

[GerSan69]

+1 on causing your own problem by "riding" the trigger.
If I were to guess, you're a semi-auto shooter. Revolvers have a trigger just like semis, but that's pretty much where the similarity ends. You've got to let the trigger reset for it to function properly.
No big deal,lots of folks have done the same thing at one time or another. Don't let it bother you.

 

[Bill Lear]

All revolvers share the same basic method of operation though recent S&W models indicate they've used dimensional and angle changes to eliminate as much as possible the two points where revolvers can lock up.
First off, if you completely release the trigger after firing, whether slow or fast, then pull the trigger DA, the gun should function properly. It it does not you indeed DO have an internal issue, but without seeing the internals I cannot diagnose what that is other than pure speculation.

Now, as for "normal" operation where the gun has no broken parts, it is possible for the user to short-stroke the trigger as it is returning forward, which does not allow the DA trigger arm a chance to reset above the trigger nose, so the trigger pulls but the hammer remains in place with that little movement you mentioned.
At a slightly more forward point in the trigger's rebound, a sudden press can induce a full "lock up" of the internal action as the trigger DA arm contacts the trigger nose at just the right angle where it has not quite reset. Under the stress of a real life shooting it's possible to snatch the trigger with enough force to break internal parts rendering the gun inoperable.

Those who've grown up on semiautos with short-stroke triggers are more likely to fail to fully release a DA revolver trigger, and this is exacerbated by the addition of oversized grips that increase the distance between the web of the hand and the trigger. Recent S&W designs have been "improved" by changing the angle and location of the DA arm relative to the trigger nose to narrow the "window" during which the gun can cycle the cylinder without cocking the hammer.

Back when they were new, DA revolvers were often called, "trigger cockers" because the "hand" which rotates the cylinder is attached to the trigger as opposed to single-action revolvers where the hand is attached to the hammer. For this reason the only shot you can ever say you KNOW you have with a DA revolver is the first one, because you the operator can bum-fiddle the action and render the gun unable to fire a second round. Single-action revolvers have a guaranteed six rounds.