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Post by x101airborne on Dec 14, 2023 8:24:10 GMT -5
I keep checking back here to see if the OP has found a solution. I am always trying to learn new ways mechanical objects can mess up and how to fix them. I dont want to be a gunsmith really but I would like to learn more about S&W firearms and what can go wrong and know what I can fix and what I need someone else to fix.
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gnappi
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,408
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Post by gnappi on Dec 14, 2023 8:51:23 GMT -5
I know that some have ground down the "action screw" in the frame to keep the original main spring intact, that or just tightening the screw will cause it also.
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Post by bradshaw on Dec 14, 2023 10:16:14 GMT -5
I know that some have ground down the "action screw" in the frame to keep the original main spring intact, that or just tightening the screw will cause it also. ***** Gary.... you may be talking about the STRAIN SCREW, which tensions the mainspring. The strain screw is tightened against the front strap. A loose strain screw tends to slowly loosen from shooting. For this reason, S&W practice is to set tension for reliable double action ignition, then trim measured excess off the end of the screw. S&W method doesn’t allow for increasing tension later. My method is to adjust strain screw where I want it----total reliability will all primers, double action, sub-ZERO temperature----and to periodically check it. My guns perform under adversity, without regard to primer or cold. Maintenance = equipment checkThis brings up the issue of cleaning. While I didn’t always thoroughly clean & lube handguns after a match, I did enough to check details of operation. Such a post-shooting pit stop can head off problems. This includes checking all screws on a magnum revolver. David Bradshaw
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ideal
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 69
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Post by ideal on Dec 14, 2023 23:32:16 GMT -5
OP, do the misfires only happen on certain cylinders, or is it at random? Will the primers fire if you cycle through them again? I'm starting to suspect that your primers may not be fully seated in their pockets. I see you're reloading your ammo. Does this same thing happen with factory ammo?
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wheat
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 19
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Post by wheat on Dec 16, 2023 22:08:38 GMT -5
thanks all for input. No solution yet. I'm waiting for a new main spring that should be showing up soon. I just bought some federal primers today and will give them a try too. I'm liking the idea of putting a primer cup over the strain screw but will wait and see if new spring takes care of it. The misfiring occurs with various ammo loaded by more than me. 38 special and 357. I'm sure they're all cci. Doesn't seem to matter on cylinder. Some will fire on second try, some will not. Tried cleaning firing pin hole. I didn't mention before- removed side plate and the innards were lube with a heavy grease. Disassembled and cleaned and lubed with light oil. No avail. I'll keep you posted.
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wheat
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 19
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Post by wheat on Dec 20, 2023 9:55:43 GMT -5
Mission accomplished! The new main spring works. I just ran a few cylinders through this morning with no misfires. I did add a primer cup to the strain screw, just to be sure. I noticed the crew took more oomph to tighten too. Time will tell if it's fool proof, but function looks good today. Merry Christmas!
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Post by revolvercranker on Dec 20, 2023 10:09:26 GMT -5
CCI are the primers I most often have a problem with. Another test for the heck of it is to try some factory ammo. If you are reloading insure your primers are fully seated. Really sounds to me your primers are the problem.
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Post by bradshaw on Dec 20, 2023 10:15:09 GMT -5
Mission accomplished! The new main spring works. I just ran a few cylinders through this morning with no misfires. I did add a primer cup to the strain screw, just to be sure. I noticed the crew took more oomph to tighten too. Time will tell if it's fool proof, but function looks good today. Merry Christmas! ***** Simple fix.... 10 days later----which greatly impedes diagnosis over the jungle drums. Specific description of parts involved (still don’t know whether revolver has original mainspring, whether mainspring may have been bent, whether strain screw is original or shortened, etc), is essential when we don’t have gun in hand or clear pictures to evaluate. David Bradshaw
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Post by revolvercranker on Dec 20, 2023 10:23:24 GMT -5
I have to agree with David. If you had all that many failures to fire in both single and double action and all you did was put a new mainspring it is telling me something had been done to the revolver. Question is what?
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Post by bradshaw on Dec 20, 2023 18:00:26 GMT -5
wheat.... if you desire a lighter double action stroke, S&W offered a LIGHT REBOUND SPRING (coil spring inside the REBOUND SLIDE, which resets trigger). Having always used factory lockwork parts in S&W revolvers, I don’t have experience with aftermarket parts. Since I lived with these guns daily in complete trust, and since when I got into handgun silhouette Production category guns were shot stock, no curiosity for aftermarket parts developed.
Whether a single action or double action, a proper trigger is is achieved without lightening HAMMER FALL. Since DA hammer fall is shorter than hammer fall of the same revolver fired SA, reliability is determined in double action. David Bradshaw
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Post by revolvercranker on Dec 20, 2023 20:57:30 GMT -5
All my double action Smiths are taken apart thoroughly cleaned. The I polish the correct parts and spots. When I say polish I don't mean to the degree of putting lots of heat in the part, say like springs especially, and I don't mean removing metal. I never ever cut coil springs. After that another thorough cleaning and special lubricants and reassembe the revolver. Then I'll run it with snap caps and finally live ammo. If I'm not mistaken doesn't Jerry Miculek run a heavier rebound spring because he wants that trigger to return as fast a possible to keep with his fast trigger finger?
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