S&W Model 17 Masterpiece

MuthaFunk said:
All the PPC revolver guys use only Federal primers and the lightest springs. Their guns won’t shoot with any other primers. If your serious about lightening your trigger pull to the max you’ll need to commit to Federal ammo.
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My 686 is tuned to the max and I use only Federal primers to get 100% reliability.

My Model 17 is rimfire and that is the revolver I'm currently playing around with using different springs.
 
I've always admired the K-22 S&W Revolvers and own quite a few. . My preference has been the 5-screw models, 6" and 4", and found them to be just about perfect. . They're not overly fussy on which ammunition they prefer and never have a problem ejecting spent cartridges even with some of the dirty ammo. . The only one that can be somewhat sticky is an 18-3 I bought brand new from the Woodwards Department Store in 1975. The cylinder holes are slightly tighter than the older 5-screw models and require a quick clean every so often.
 
I just got back from the range test firing my model 17 rimfire. As previously mentioned, I have a #13 rebound spring and a Wolff standard hammer spring. A long with the Aguila ammo I tried out the other day, I took along some Federal Target, CCI S.V. Target and Winchester T22 ammo.

Federal, 8% failure to fire
CCI, 4% failure to fire
Win, 6% failure to fire.

All rounds but one (Federal) fired on the second strike.
I will mention again the I get 100% ignition with the factory hammer spring. I'm not sure if upping the rebound spring to #14 or #15 will help or not. If not, looks like I will either have to put the factory hammer spring back in (heavy) or live with some light strikes.
 
The rebound spring weight will not affect ignition; just the return of the trigger.

The Wolff hammer spring likely has a hollow rib in it that limits how much the strain screw can deflect it. You can either add a shim (a spent primer cup works) or use a longer strain screw to make up for it. I think these are 8-32 screws. This might help in getting more reliable ignition.
 
tjhaile said:
The rebound spring weight will not affect ignition; just the return of the trigger.

The Wolff hammer spring likely has a hollow rib in it that limits how much the strain screw can deflect it. You can either add a shim (a spent primer cup works) or use a longer strain screw to make up for it. I think these are 8-32 screws. This might help in getting more reliable ignition.
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Your timing is perfect. I was sitting here looking at the hammer spring when it suddenly dawned on me the Wolff spring is concaved on the side facing the strain screw. So a slightly longer stain screw or a shim (a primer cup as you suggested) would solve my problem. Thanks for the solution.
:)
 
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Does the wolf spring feel a lot lighter than factory?
I have never changed the spring in a K22 or M17
If you shim it and it works, let us know what the feeling is like.
One of these days , I should order some springs, need one for a Dan Wesson that I get light strikes if I shoot it real fast.
has a little end shake which don't help either.
 
johnl said:
For the money one may have considered buying used. They are many nice examples of 17- series on the EE for under a grand. I got a mint and mean a mint 17-2 three T’s for $800. It has the famous smooth S&W trigger pull they were famous for. I can put 12 shots within the diameter of a dime at 10 meters, resting of course:p Bottom line if you are happy with your purchase, that’s all that matters, now go shoot it dirty:)
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I hear ya 100% and pre lock of course......the bluing on pre lock SWs will never compare to any of the new ones
 
marshall said:
Does the wolf spring feel a lot lighter than factory?
I have never changed the spring in a K22 or M17
If you shim it and it works, let us know what the feeling is like.
One of these days , I should order some springs, need one for a Dan Wesson that I get light strikes if I shoot it real fast.
has a little end shake which don't help either.
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I started out with the Wolff reduced power hammer spring. Smooth & lighter trigger pull than factory spring but I experienced way too many light primer strikes. Then I installed a Wolff (ribbed) standard power hammer spring. A little lighter than factory and smoother but I still got some light primer strikes, 4% to 8% fail to fire depending on the ammo brand. All I've done now is installed a very slightly longer strain screw and tighten down. A range trip earlier this morning and 100 rounds with no misfires. Done deal.
 
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