Can I convert S&W 64 DAO to DA/SA?

[km101]

I have a S&W Model 64-5 that is factory DAO. I want to convert it to DA/SA as I like to use SA some times. Can I replace the DA hammer with a standard hammer or will it require replacing the hammer and trigger?

Or is there any reason that this cannot be done?

 

[Old Fuff]

Without having the gun on the workbench to examine I can't say for sure, but it's most likely that only the hammer was modified. You probably will need a new sear (the little lever in the front of hammer, and it will need to be fitted.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree you will need a new complete hammer to get one with a hammer spur to cock it with.

It is unlikely you will need the the DA sear, because without it, the gun wouldn't work DAO at all.

I would guess the hammer spur was cut off, as well as the SA sear surface on the hammer so it can't be cocked SA at all.

I would further assume the trigger was not modified.

But new hammers are not drop-in parts, and may have to be fitted & safety checked by someone who knows how.

Rc

 

[km101]

This is supposedly a factory DAO gun. It looks like there never was a hammer spur.

I have not had the sideplate off, so I don't know about the SA sear, but I would guess that it is gone as you cannot cock the hammer back to SA. It will not stay back.

Anyone have any idea where I can buy a SS hammer to use in the gun? S&W says that they do not have any available.

 

[Old Fuff]

I have a S&W Model 64-5 that is factory DAO. I want to convert it to DA/SA as I like to use SA some times.

The little lever mounted in the hammer face (called a "sear" by S&W) is critical to having a double-action trigger pull. The one now mounted in the hammer you have might, or might not work if it you installed it in a new hammer. A new sear is made extra long so that can be exactly fitted to work properly with the original trigger - or so we hope. The fitting (if it is necessary) will require the right kind of file, and the necessary knowledge on the part of someone who does the work.

Smith & Wesson's from this era (1988-'96) were not made with "always interchangeable" parts, although by coincidence they sometimes do.

When seeking a hammer, keep in mind that any K-frame short-action hammer with the firing pin mounted in it, should work regardless of what particular model revolver it came from.

 

[Old Fuff]

I have not had the sideplate off, so I don't know about the SA sear, but I would guess that it is gone as you cannot cock the hammer back to SA. It will not stay back.

In this case the S&W sear is not what you would normally expect a sear to be. It has nothing to do with the single-action pull, or holding the hammer cocked.

Anyone have any idea where I can buy a SS hammer to use in the gun? S&W says that they do not have any available.

Try www.gunpartscorp.com or this link:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufac...6/KFrameRevolvers-38382/64-5-36817.htm?page=3

But expect to get a used hammer (or used hammer assembly) rather then a new one. It shouldn't matter as the revolver is used too.

 

[joem1945]

It's been done several times. Just need the parts and fit them to the gun.

 

[km101]

Thank you gentlemen, for all the replies and information.

It looks like this project is "do-able" and I will check with Numrich-Gun Parts for the necessary parts.

 

[BBBBill]

Don't look for stainless steel. S&W used flash chrome plated hammers and triggers in their stainless guns.

 

[Old Fuff]

To explain further:

Some early model 60's - that were Smith & Wesson's first stainless steel revolver - had all-stainless construction, including hammers and triggers. But they soon found that the material was too soft for the application. Instead they decided to use regular case-hardened parts that were flash-chromed to offer a matching color. They worked well, were not too soft, and matched the color/texture of the rest of the gun's finish.

This construction continued as other models were introduced, including and in particular, the model 64-5.

When MIM hammers and triggers were introduced it was discovered that the parts were hard enough, but did not color well. Attempts to duplicate the famous rainbow colors featured before on blued or nickeled guns came out an ugly mottled gray. Flash chroming, intended for parts on stainless guns continued for a time, but has now been discontinued in most if not all cases.

Substituting a color-case hardened hammer or trigger in a stainless revolver will have no negative affect, and in my view if the colors are still bright they enhance the overall appearance.

In this case, where the revolver is apparently an average law enforcement trade-in, and considering the difficulty of finding the right parts, I wouldn't get too picky, but they're is no reason you can't ask the supplier what they have available.

 

[dbmjr1]

. deleted .

 

[km101]

UPDATE: I found a flash-chromed trigger/hammer set locally at a decent price. It is the standard DA/SA. I replaced the hammer first to see how it worked. To my surprise the new hammer functions about as well as any of the factory assembled guns that I have. Of course the DA pull is still about 12 - 13 lbs. but the single action pull is a crisp 4.3 lbs. on my digital gauge. I am going to shoot the gun for a while before deciding whether to change out the trigger. If it continues to function well I may just leave it alone.

Thanks again for all the help, education and advice.