Ideas?

abber · November 8, 2009, 11:32 AM

Why would a S&W model 617, 10 shot, 22 caliber revolver work flawlessly when fired SA, but gets light strikes when fired DA? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Casimer · November 8, 2009, 12:09 PM

The hammer delivers a bit more force in SA because the throw is a little longer - it's accelerating through a greater distance.

Have you tried tightening the strain screw? - also take a look at the 22 case heads to determine whether the firing pin is registering a clean strike.

Malamute · November 8, 2009, 07:55 PM

Yes, some people do an "action job" by loosening the hammer mainspring strain screw in the lower front of the grip frame, generally covered by the grips. You can often get away with a little tweeking, but they can loosen, or it may have been done too much. Another "trick" that some gunsmiths do is bend the mainspring to lighten the DA pull. It can be overdone also. It can be bent back, or another spring installed. They arent expensive, and are drop in.

November 8, 2009, 11:32 AM	#1
abber Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2008 Location: PRK Posts: 735	Ideas? Why would a S&W model 617, 10 shot, 22 caliber revolver work flawlessly when fired SA, but gets light strikes when fired DA? Any suggestions would be appreciated. __________________ I ain't got no safe queens. I shoots em all...

November 8, 2009, 07:55 PM	#3
Malamute Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2004 Location: Rocky Mts Posts: 859	Yes, some people do an "action job" by loosening the hammer mainspring strain screw in the lower front of the grip frame, generally covered by the grips. You can often get away with a little tweeking, but they can loosen, or it may have been done too much. Another "trick" that some gunsmiths do is bend the mainspring to lighten the DA pull. It can be overdone also. It can be bent back, or another spring installed. They arent expensive, and are drop in. __________________ "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt-

November 8, 2009, 12:09 PM	#2
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	The hammer delivers a bit more force in SA because the throw is a little longer - it's accelerating through a greater distance. Have you tried tightening the strain screw? - also take a look at the 22 case heads to determine whether the firing pin is registering a clean strike.