Posted: 11/26/2005 7:18:18 AM EDT
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Hello, I went shooting for the first time in about 4 months yesterday (yes, that is very sad), when I noticed the hammer acting strangely on my Smith-Wesson 686P. For single action the hammer felt easy to pull back, but it needed to be pulled back further than I ever felt was normal; it was also hard for it to catch and lock. For double action the hammer was almost too slick or easy to fall forward causing only dimples on the primers of the chambered rounds. Is this due to a weak pin or hammer spring? I am going to send it into Smith-Wesson for repairs. Will warranty cover it? I've only had it for a little over a year. Thanks |
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First thing to check is the strain screw in the front-lower grip frame, under the stocks. This is NOT a trigger adjustment screw, it puts the proper tension on the hammer's mainspring. It's not unusual for the screw to vibrate loose and back out, lowering the spring pressure until the mainspring finally starts to "knuckle" or flex improperly. Remove the grips, and tighten the screw down TIGHT. Make sure the mainspring hasn't slipped out of place. If this isn't the problem, send it back to S&W for a proper, factory-spec repair. |
| You know that screw that determines the hammer spring tension? Could you possibly loosen it slightly but loc-tite it into security? This would give you the slicker trigger without the screw coming loose. Or would this make primer dimples more likely causing danger? |
That screw needs to be fitted...and should have been at the factory. If you want to lighten the hammer tension you can file the end of the screw...file flat!...and reinsert. Do a tiny bit at a time and try again. It is easy to take too much off and end up needing another screw. It still should be tightened down all the way. If you loctite it, you may have problems removing it if you need to take the revolver apart. We used to degrease and use a drop or two of clear fingernail polish after the screw was fitted. It will hold the screw but is not difficult to work with if it needs to be removed. DO NOT alter the mainspring in any way, by narrowing or bending it! |