Posted: 10/16/2025 12:57:16 PM EDT
|
I'm having an issue with a Smith and Wesson Model 18-3. Periodically the trigger will jam only when trying to fire in double action. Some times you can let off the trigger and pull it again and it will fire. But not always. Pulling the hammer back and firing in single action always works. The hammer moves rearward like it should when experiencing the jam. I just bought this revolver from Tyler's Gun Works and they've ghosted me about this issue. I thought before I open up the side plate I would ask here if there is anything I should check for first. |
|
Definitely need to pop off the side plate and look around. Tap it off done pry! Plenty of videos out there on how to do it right. My brother recently had a similar problem with a K frame. The stud which is threaded into the frame which secures the hammer was broken. If this is the case, the factory is really the only option for repair. |
|
Originally Posted By captain127: Definitely need to pop off the side plate and look around. Tap it off done pry! Plenty of videos out there on how to do it right. My brother recently had a similar problem with a K frame. The stud which is threaded into the frame which secures the hammer was broken. If this is the case, the factory is really the only option for repair. Thanks for the reply. I took the cover off today and took a look. Without taking anything more apart I don't see anything broken. With the cylinder out and pulling the trigger it looks like it could be the bolt blocking the hammer. It jams up in the same place but I'm not seeing why pulling the hammer back into single action would bypass the bolt. With the cover off the bolt blocks the rearward movement of the hammer even without pulling the trigger. I can't get it to reproduce the problem with the cover off. Could the hammer block be what is pushing the bolt forward and blocking double action? If that is the case, how and why? Is it possible whoever the last person who opened up the revolver didn't install the hammer block correctly? Never seen the inside of the a revolver except a Chiappa Rhino so this is all new to me. |
|
It is also advise to never work the action with the side plate off, and still tension on the mainspring, as the side plate stabilizes the right tip of the hammer pin and without that support can be bent or broken. Sounds like finding a gunsmith who knows S&W revolvers is in order ( not too many left in the era of Tupperware) |
|
Originally Posted By captain127: It is also advise to never work the action with the side plate off, and still tension on the mainspring, as the side plate stabilizes the right tip of the hammer pin and without that support can be bent or broken. Sounds like finding a gunsmith who knows S&W revolvers is in order ( not too many left in the era of Tupperware) Thanks for the help and advice. I put everything back together and made sure that the hammer block was in it's correct position. Everything seems to be back in order and working now. Edit: Nevermind. The Model 18 is back to jamming at times with pulling the trigger from double action. It was working better. I set the revolver plate (right) side down and after that it started having issues again. My guess is that the hammer block is getting free from it's pin. It doesn't look like Brownell's sells the pin so I'll be getting in touch with Smith & Wesson. |