ignition problem

griaguns

griaguns

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
353   0   0
Location
Vancouver Island B.C.
I bought a model 14 smith that has had a lot of work done to it,bomar rib,trigger etc etc
It doesn't hit the primer hard enough (most times, sometimes it will fire on the 2nd go round.) to fire.
When I bought it another shooter said that this may be a problem and it is common with competition revolvers and to change something in the way I was loading and as typical I was talkin when i shoulda been listnin.
Any one familiar this issue.
And I promise I will listen and not talk.
Graham
 
The screw on the lower front strap isn't supposed to be an adjustable item. Just tighten it to a snug pinch. If it was a few turns loose this should fix the problem.

If it doesn't then I'd take off the grips and flush out the inner workings with a good solvent to flush away and gummed up lubricant. Especially in the joint between the hammer and the frame. Once flushed clean mix up a soup of one part gun oil and three parts solvent and shoot this mix into the action. Let drain and dry. When dry there'll be a light coating of gun oil all through the action to protect from rust and provide just the right amount of lubrication.

By flushing away any excess oil or mix of oil and fouling the hammer will tend to fall faster and with more of a snap. It's not a case of friction but of viscous drag. For example think about waving your hand in air and then in a swimming pool. The water is like the old gummed up or fouled oil and the air is like the new fresh light film.

My own choice is to flush it with the classic Ed's Red mixture that I use for general cleaning. There again the ATF in this recipe will provide just the right amount of lubrication without a lot of viscous drag. Google for the recipe.

If none of that works out then you'll need a new and unmolested mainspring from a supplier such as Wolff springs. Great folks and a great product. The Wolff mainspring is lighter than a stock S&W spring but not so light as to cause problems with almost any ammo. All my own S&W's have Wolff kits in them and I don't recall the last time I had a FTF. There is no reason at all why your gun should be any different.

In the meantime or as a permanent fix you could try removing the inner star from a spent primer and fit the cup of the primer over the end of the tension screw. This little pad will give the mainspring a little more tension and may be enough to cure your issue.
 
I bought a used Smith & Wesson model 625 and I had the exact same problem as you have. I got a hold of Wolf Springs and ordered a new main spring installed it and the problem was forever solved.

Graydog
 
If after cleaning the action, tightening the main spring tension screw (until it bottoms only...do not overtighten), and/or replacing the mainspring with a new Wolff piece, you still get misfires......

Try Federal primers. They are easier to ignite with weak firing pin strikes compared to other brands. I replaced the mainsprings on two 686s and this was the cure. I do not replace springs on my revolvers anymore because of this "selective" primer issue.
 
If the mainspring strain screw is tight, the spring might need replacing, chances are the competitor replaced the factory spring with one too light for reliable ignition. Get a S&W Wolff Spring Kit from Brownells. The standard weight kit is $20, #080 665 202AE Kit SWK/L/N-202. Be sure the strain screw wasn't shortened, if it appears to have been messed with, replace it as well.
 
Thanks to all for the good advice.I will clean it first and try and adjust the screw,maybe just order the spring anyways as well as a strain screw.It sure shoots good when they light.
Graham
 
Unless the strain screw or mainspring have been monkeyed with they won't need replacing. If the strain screw is loose or the tip filed off you shouldn't need to spend money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom