Pre model 17

[jtmo3]

I have a pre 17 that’s a great revolver. I am starting to get a few light strikes and would like to replace the mainspring. Does none know if any k frame mainspring will fit or is it a specific mainspring for this model? I called S&w and they punted and Sid they couldn’t say since the gun was older. Thanks.

 

[TJm15.38]

I think you will be able to find a mainspring for the model 17 at Wolff Gunsprings. I replaced a mainspring on a Model 65-5 and have been pleased with their products. They have all the other springs needed for S&W revolvers.

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

 

[austintexas]

light strikes

Is the strain screw tight? You might try taking a large USED primer and take the anvil out and put it between the main spring and screw. That will give you a little more push and see if that works> It's a free fix if a weak main spring is the problem.
SWCA 892

 

[colt_saa]

jtmo3,
Your K22 Masterpiece uses the same mainspring as the Model 17 and other K-frame revolvers

 

[jtmo3]

Thanks. I was hoping that it was the same. I ordered one of the Wolff springs mentioned above. We’ll see if that does the trick.

 

[chief38]

As mentioned above - before replacing the spring make SURE the Strain Screw is fully tightened and / or has not been shortened too much. You can tell by looking at the tip of the screw.

 

[Alk8944]

Thanks. I was hoping that it was the same. I ordered one of the Wolff springs mentioned above. We’ll see if that does the trick.

If you bought the Wolff "Power Rib" spring you will need a longer strain screw because of the deep groove. Or try the fired primer trick others mentioned. It would be nice if Wolff would mention that on their web site, but they don't!

 

[jtmo3]

I received the Wolff standard power mainspring. Also checked the strain screw. Looks untouched. After installing, I’ve shot about 100 mini mags so far. I’ve had 2 dead rounds. When looking at the unfixed case, I do see a good hit. They do fire with a second hit. Gonna put some more rounds through it and hope for the best. If that doesn’t quite do it, I’ll try the spent primer on the end of the strain screw.

 

[sophie]

I don’t see no pictures.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Is the strain screw tight? You might try taking a large USED primer and take the anvil out and put it between the main spring and screw. That will give you a little more push and see if that works> It's a free fix if a weak main spring is the problem.
SWCA 892

Been there. Done that.........It works.

 

[H Richard]

One more thing to look at, have you done a "clean and lube" internally? After years of use, often dirt and old dry lube can slow down the hammer strike enough to cause light strikes.

 

[jtmo3]

Yes on the clean internally. Did that about a month ago to check everything best I could. No pics. Didn’t have phone when it shot last. Hate carrying that darn thing.

 

[Nightowl]

I had one like that. I put the spring in a vice, hook end out of course, and clamped it down, straightening the spring. Worked fine thereafter.

 

[jtmo3]

Thanks nightowl. I did that once nd it worked for a while. But then started light strikes again. It looked like an original spring so that would make it 76 years old. Who knows how many times it was bent before.

I’ll keep shooting it and see how it goes over time. It’s tough with rimfire because it’s never 100%, even mini mags.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're getting light strikes again with the new spring I think you should try a deep cleaning like mentioned above.

Take the rips off and the side plate. Give the inners a good spray down with brake clean and when it dries spray it down with Remoil. That just might fix the problem. Even if it doesn't it can't hurt to give the revolver a good cleaning.

 

[steelslaver]

Get a slightly longer 8-32 screw

 

[Baxter6551]

Cleaned internally a month ago …. A clue. Any issues before the cleaning ? As others noted did you tighten the strain screw back down ?
Not going to hurt anything putting the wolf spring in.
Your strain screw should look like the one on the right. The one on the left has been ground down for a lighter trigger pull.

 

[jtmo3]

Yes and no. I had light strikes a few years back. Bent the mainspring an little and it’s been fine. Last few months, been doing it again. Strain screw is tight.

Looks more like the pic on the right. It hasn’t been ground on.

 

[2152hq]

Maybe the firingpin & spring itself is gunked up.
It sits inside it's small hole in the frame held there by the cross pin and in most cases never gets cleaned out in the life of the gun.

Many times it doesn't need to, but if the lube used gets thickened or hardens up like some do or carbon from shooting gets in there (pierced rim), the firing pin can be sluggish and give you some miss fires.

Also make sure the hammer is free in it's fall and is not touching/jamming against the frame on either side on the way down to slow down it's force.

.22rf ammo isn't the most reliable stuff anymore. Not like it used to be.
When I get some misfires when trying out a gun these days, I actually take those rounds right then and there at the range and pull the bullet.
A regular pliers pulls them easily.

I inspect the case to see if there is any priming compound in the rim recess.

It's not surprising to me anymore to find many with only some areas of the rim with compound and some with none at all.
It's not always the guns fault.