Smith M1917: no single action

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smellie

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Picked up an excptionally-grody M1917 Smith & Wesson last year, obviously a battlefield pickup which spent some time out in the open or partly buried. The bore, though, is in surprisingly decent condition and I would like to shoot it with reasonably-light loads.

Lockup is solid, action is smooth and it is flawless on double-action but, on single-action, it will not ####.

The action seems to work fine and the hammer comes back easily to release position on double-action, but it will not come back that extra tiny bit to engage when you thumb the hammer back. It seems that it is SOLID right in that spot.

I have never had one of these critters apart (seems they don't like breaking-down!) and don't want to strip it down and not have an idea what I should be looking for.

Has anybody here worked on one of these?

Any suggestions gratefully received.
 
"...Any suggestions..." It's just an elderly 'N' Frame Smith. The single action may have been taken out for some reason. Old cop gun maybe. You could put it back, but you'll have to fit a new hammer and/or trigger. Likely both.
Fortunately, even old Smith's are easier to work on than the same vintage Colt. Or any Colt revolver. There are lots of how-to books and on-line how-to's about 'N' Frames. Gunparts has most of the parts.
 
Smellie

It should become obvious to you what the problem is when you get the sideplate off and can see how the lockwork functions when you draw back the hammer. Getting the sideplate off without damage to the edges requires undoing the screws, and tapping the side of the grip frame (sideplate side) with a small wooden mallet, or small hammer with non marring ends. The inertial force will eventually loosen and pop the sideplate off.


smellie said:
Picked up an excptionally-grody M1917 Smith & Wesson last year, obviously a battlefield pickup which spent some time out in the open or partly buried. The bore, though, is in surprisingly decent condition and I would like to shoot it with reasonably-light loads.

Lockup is solid, action is smooth and it is flawless on double-action but, on single-action, it will not ####.

The action seems to work fine and the hammer comes back easily to release position on double-action, but it will not come back that extra tiny bit to engage when you thumb the hammer back. It seems that it is SOLID right in that spot.

I have never had one of these critters apart (seems they don't like breaking-down!) and don't want to strip it down and not have an idea what I should be looking for.

Has anybody here worked on one of these?

Any suggestions gratefully received.
Click to expand...
 
I have a very similar one. A Brazilian M1937, which for all intents and purposes is a 1917.
Jakester's advice is spot on, remove the grips first (If required to do so) then the sideplate as advised here, a few inches above a soft cloth covering a flat surface.
Do yourself a big favor and order a yourself a replacement mainspring ASAP, & keep it nearby for when the original one breaks.
Easy-peasy to replace also. If the bore is in any kind of condition & the timing is good, it should shoot half decently as is.
But I find I often have to smudge up the big rounded frontsight with smoke on a bright sunny day to cut down reflected glare.

my two bits only
 
DA works but SA won't engage? Could be as simple as someone backed the maimspring tension off (probably to lighten trigger pull) and now the mainspring fouls the hammer.

Try tightening the mainspring tension screw, however I've seen people shorten the screw resulting in it needing replacement
 
Pity I'm at work, I have a copy of that military pistols dis-assembly / assembly book. I would have scanned and sent you the procedure.
Good Luck
 
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