Model 59: Do I have a problem with trigger?

Redcoat3340

Redcoat3340

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Just took 'delivery' of used model 59. It's filthy and I've started cleaning it up, but it's gonna need a total disassembly.

Field stripped and did a first go-around and at least I got all the major gunk off.

Here's my question (this is my first 59 although I have 10 Smith 9mms): In double action as I press the trigger it seems to go into a half cock with a noticable click. I can stop the trigger press and it will stay at "half-cock" almost like a two stage miltary rifle trigger.

Then as I press through, the hammer goes all the way back and the pistol fires. If I just pull all the way to Bang in DA I can feel the "click" but it doesn't seem to interfer with firing at least withh a snap cap. It's annoying and won't do anything for my accuracy in DA. Nothing like that in Single Action.

Also, I thought all 59s have a magazine safety...no mag - no fire. This one will fire in both DA and SA without the mag in. (Hello Bubba?)

I've ordered new hammer springs and a recoil spring from Wolff and I'll see about a reduced power hammer spring to lighten the DA.

And I'll polish the crap out of all the little bits and pieces (except for sear) and see what that does. I paid $311 for it which I thought was fair until I got it home and the barrel was not "great" as the seller described, but totally fouled with powder. (It's clean now and not too bad if a bit worn.)

Any suggestions about this will be helpful. And about the mag safety. It feels good in hand; not as nice and my 39s, but nice.
 
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Sounds like the 59 has digested several thousands of rounds. The hammer catching on the half cock notch makes me wonder if the hammer is going bad or just crud since you described it as filthy.


I’d say someone removed the magazine safety as they are generally despised.

Let us know if you figure it out.
 
Perfectly normal trigger operation, Redcoat.

What you're feeling is the sear dragging across the hammer's half-cock notch in double action.

BITD, it was found objectionable by the reviewers in the gun magazines so much so that S&W eliminated the notch after they installed the firing pin safety.

The 1st gens had only the half-cock notch in the event of an unintended hammer drop.

The 2nd gens had both the half-cock notch and the firing pin safety.

By the advent of the 3rd gens, the din from the magazine writers became overwhelming and the half-cock notch was eliminated and the firing pin safety was it.

John
 
Agree! My 469 has that same notch and you can feel it, but I would not say it hinders my shooting… then again, I have had years to get used to it.

The magazine disconnect safety in that pistol has probably been yanked. Given the price you paid and the condition (which is to say… it’s shooter grade, not so much “collectible”), were it me, I would surely leave it as is. I find very little benefit to the magazine disconnect safety.

I would highly suggest a set of Uncle Mikes rubber grips for it — barely makes the pistol any thicker, far more tacky grab and the OEM grips… while not bad looking when new, well they REALLY show wear and are not resistant to wear.
 
Already ordered the Uncle Mikes (from CDNN for $7.00!) Springs are on the way and I will be leaving the mag disconnect, well, disconnected.

Would like to see the DA pull down to about 10 # (from over 12) and the SA is about 5# on my cheap-a** gauge, so that's not too bad.

I got this one 'cause I didn't have a 1st gen in the 59 series and my 6906, 6946, and 5946 were crying out for company.

WA state has levied a new "fee" on background checks since the State Patrol has taken over from local sheriffs. It's now $18 for every check, which added to my FFL's $25 fee and a 10% state tax on "commerical" online purchases and shipping (with more and more rates at $50) my online buying days are probably over unless it's a huge bargain.

Now I'll be hoping someone offers a shooter grade 2nd gen at a fantastic price here in the classifieds as there's no tax on private sales.

Thanks for the info on my half-cock.
 
gmborkovic -- Not good, but GREAT! progams. (Right.)

Sales tax at 10% but no state income tax. When I lived in New York there was close to a 10% sales tax AND a state income tax. (Worst of both worlds.)
 
The trigger action is normal, first and second gen pistols had a half-cock notch in the hammer and that is what you are feeling, hearing, and seeing. As to the magazine disconnect, someone must have removed it as it was a standard feature on S&W pistols. The exception would be those ordered without them by some law enforcement agencies, these pistols will have a warning about the magazine disconnect stamped on the slide. Removal of the magazine disconnect does result in a slightly lighter and smoother trigger action.
 
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