Revolver: DA = light primer strikes, SA = all is well

[whgraham]

Working on a 38sp snubbie that's having some issues with light primer strikes in DA, but perfectly strong strikes in SA (almost seem too strong actually). I would assume the hammer spring is too weak, but the trigger pull feels plenty heavy enough.

Any ideas? Could the angle of the hammer nose possibly be a culprit? The primer depressions are twice as deep from SA as they are in DA, and the depressions are not centered, rather they are on the outside edge of the primer.

Admittedly, this is not a S&W, and I'm sorry to intrude here, but I am a member here with S&W's.This is one I got in pieces and am trying to get it back together. This is an INA revolver, from Brazil. Looks very much like a square-butt Model 36.

Thanks for your help.

 

[john323]

Check the strain screw and tighten it if loose. If it doesn't have a strain screw then it could be a weakened hammer spring.

 

[Tyrod]

I recently worked on a older J frame that would have occasional very light primer strikes in DA. 3 FTF in 200 rounds to be exact. The primer only had the slightest of indentation, as if the firing pin was barely hitting the primer. The other 197 fired cases looked very normal. Upon removing the side plate I found heavy drag marks on the hammer from a roughly machined side plate. I filed off the rough machine peaks and the gun is now fine. My guess is that under some circumstances the hammer would drag on these machine marks sapping energy from the hammer fall. So, that's one area you can check as well as the other suggestions.