S&W Model 59 not always cocking hammer

Miata Mike · September 22, 2010, 05:23 PM

So far I have shot reloads from the guy I bought this gun from a while back and factory Federal FMJ 115 grain. I would say about 4 or 5 times out of 10 the hammer fails to cock into the single action firing position. Not the end of the world, but I should not have to manually cock the trigger half of the time. Double action trigger pull is ugly heavy.

Today I had one stove pipe out of 50 shot, not sure if this is related. Before I went out I field stripped it and gave it a good cleaning and lube. I would like to think I wasn't limp wristing it, but at this point I will listen to all suggestions.

Onward Allusion · September 22, 2010, 06:42 PM

Is it ejecting when the hammer doesn't cock back? Weak loads? Was it doing it with the factory loads?

Also, was the decocker reengaging during the cycling? When it fails to go into single action, are you able to pull the trigger and fire a round?

It doesn't sound like you're limp-wristing.

Quote:

Miata Mike
S&W Model 59 not always cocking hammer
So far I have shot reloads from the guy I bought this gun from a while back and factory Federal FMJ 115 grain. I would say about 4 or 5 times out of 10 the hammer fails to cock into the single action firing position. Not the end of the world, but I should not have to manually cock the trigger half of the time. Double action trigger pull is ugly heavy.

Today I had one stove pipe out of 50 shot, not sure if this is related. Before I went out I field stripped it and gave it a good cleaning and lube. I would like to think I wasn't limp wristing it, but at this point I will listen to all suggestions.

Miata Mike · September 22, 2010, 06:47 PM

Yes it was ejecting every load except for one. It did it with reloads and the factory loads. Very snappy muzzle flip compared to my PT1911.

When it fails to go into single action, I am able to pull the trigger and fire a round......an ugly long trigger pull I might add. :barf: So I was manually cocking it back.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "was the decocker reengaging during the cycling?" It would stay coked back sometimes and not sometimes with no pattern that I could see.

James K · September 22, 2010, 07:33 PM

If the gun extracts and eject OK, then the slide is coming back far enough to cock the hammer. If it doesn't, then something is wrong with the gun. That is a fairly complicated gun and unless you are very familiar with it, I don't recommend you try to do the work yourself. I will warn you that new parts might be required and the repair could be costly. It is most likely that a/the previous owner tried to work the gun over to "improve" the trigger pull and what you are seeing is the result.

Jim

Miata Mike · September 22, 2010, 09:06 PM

I will talk to the original owner. I doubt that he messed with it, but you never know.

I was hoping it would be something simple like the guide rod recoil spring was bad or something like that.

Onward Allusion · September 22, 2010, 10:14 PM

The 1st Gen 59 IMO is a little off balanced due to having an alloy frame.

Going back to your issue... Based on what you described, the pistol is cycling all the way through. The hammer/sear is not engaging properly. You will need to have it looked at by a smith.

My comment regarding the decocker was off the mark because you're able to DA fire.

Quote:

Miata Mike
Yes it was ejecting every load except for one. It did it with reloads and the factory loads. Very snappy muzzle flip compared to my PT1911.

When it fails to go into single action, I am able to pull the trigger and fire a round......an ugly long trigger pull I might add. So I was manually cocking it back.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "was the decocker reengaging during the cycling?" It would stay coked back sometimes and not sometimes with no pattern that I could see.

BamaBowtie · September 23, 2010, 02:47 PM

Get it to a GOOD gunsmith ASAP! From my experience with Smith autos, they tend to have very smooth DA triggers. It honestly sounds to me like someone tried to do a trigger job and only succeeded in butchering the sear. If the hammer is falling back to DA it may begin to slam fire. I personally don't think the gun is safe to shoot in it's current condition. At the very least I would replace the sear and all springs.

Miata Mike · September 26, 2010, 01:42 PM

Thanks for the advice. I will not shoot it until fixed. I work with the original owner. I'm sure he will be honest about it's past or work with me on it.

The idea of slam fire is something I never thought of and to tell you the truth scares the heck out of me. If you were to guess, how much do you think a good Gunsmith might charge for the repairs BamaBowtie suggested?

Snakedriver · September 26, 2010, 01:59 PM

Yep, I would agree with getting it to a good gunsmith and letting him fix it for you. I have an original S & W Model 59 that I got back in the 80's that has always been flawless. I can't recall that it has ever FTE'd or stovepiped. When the SHTF it will be on my hip, it's that reliable and accurate.

The double-action trigger pull is kind of heavy. Luckily, the second through 13th round are easy enough.

September 22, 2010, 05:23 PM	#1
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	S&W Model 59 not always cocking hammer So far I have shot reloads from the guy I bought this gun from a while back and factory Federal FMJ 115 grain. I would say about 4 or 5 times out of 10 the hammer fails to cock into the single action firing position. Not the end of the world, but I should not have to manually cock the trigger half of the time. Double action trigger pull is ugly heavy. Today I had one stove pipe out of 50 shot, not sure if this is related. Before I went out I field stripped it and gave it a good cleaning and lube. I would like to think I wasn't limp wristing it, but at this point I will listen to all suggestions.

September 23, 2010, 02:47 PM	#7
BamaBowtie Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2007 Location: Vernon, FL Posts: 209	Get it to a GOOD gunsmith ASAP! From my experience with Smith autos, they tend to have very smooth DA triggers. It honestly sounds to me like someone tried to do a trigger job and only succeeded in butchering the sear. If the hammer is falling back to DA it may begin to slam fire. I personally don't think the gun is safe to shoot in it's current condition. At the very least I would replace the sear and all springs. __________________ Sticks and stones may break my bones, but Hollowpoints expand on impact. (Stolen from Coolhand567)

September 26, 2010, 01:59 PM	#9
Snakedriver Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2010 Location: SW. Florida Posts: 135	Yep, I would agree with getting it to a good gunsmith and letting him fix it for you. I have an original S & W Model 59 that I got back in the 80's that has always been flawless. I can't recall that it has ever FTE'd or stovepiped. When the SHTF it will be on my hip, it's that reliable and accurate. The double-action trigger pull is kind of heavy. Luckily, the second through 13th round are easy enough. __________________ Fear is a reaction................Courage is a decision!

September 22, 2010, 06:47 PM	#3
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	Yes it was ejecting every load except for one. It did it with reloads and the factory loads. Very snappy muzzle flip compared to my PT1911. When it fails to go into single action, I am able to pull the trigger and fire a round......an ugly long trigger pull I might add. :barf: So I was manually cocking it back. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "was the decocker reengaging during the cycling?" It would stay coked back sometimes and not sometimes with no pattern that I could see.

September 22, 2010, 07:33 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If the gun extracts and eject OK, then the slide is coming back far enough to cock the hammer. If it doesn't, then something is wrong with the gun. That is a fairly complicated gun and unless you are very familiar with it, I don't recommend you try to do the work yourself. I will warn you that new parts might be required and the repair could be costly. It is most likely that a/the previous owner tried to work the gun over to "improve" the trigger pull and what you are seeing is the result. Jim

September 22, 2010, 09:06 PM	#5
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	I will talk to the original owner. I doubt that he messed with it, but you never know. I was hoping it would be something simple like the guide rod recoil spring was bad or something like that.

September 26, 2010, 01:42 PM	#8
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	Thanks for the advice. I will not shoot it until fixed. I work with the original owner. I'm sure he will be honest about it's past or work with me on it. The idea of slam fire is something I never thought of and to tell you the truth scares the heck out of me. If you were to guess, how much do you think a good Gunsmith might charge for the repairs BamaBowtie suggested?