Help! S&W 15 "pushing off"

[357wheelgunner]

I have a friend's S&W model 15. It's a beutiful gun, but the hammer "pushes off" in single action. If I sneeze while the hammer is back, the trigger disengages bringing the hammer down on the firing pin block. It works fine in double action. I assume someone tried to improve the trigger pull and it will now cost money to fix.

What is the usual part that needs to be replaced? The gun will eventually be taken to a gunsmith, I'm just trying to understand the problem before I send it to a stranger to be fixed.

Thanks!

 

[Sunray]

"...usual part that needs to be replaced..." The trigger and the hammer. Gunparts lists both in assorted widths and smooth or serrated trigger. $42.05 for a trigger. $54.70 for a target hammer, $47.65 for non-target. Target triggers and hammers are wider.
Both will need fitting by a smithy. Your smithy may be able to get them cheaper, but not likely.
Your buddy could contact Smith and have them do it. Mind you, it'll likely need a trigger job, a properly done trigger job, when your buddy gets it back.
1-800-331-0852. 8 to 8 EST Monday to Friday.

 

[ulflyer]

The Mod 15 is one sweet 38. If your buddy thinks he's gonna keep it for a long time, I'd suggest sending it to
S&W where you know you'll get a proper repair; that is, unless you can find/know of local smith that is reliable.
Might cost you a bit more, mostly in shipping.

 

[Old Fuff]

If someone has tried to "improve the trigger pull," you may have more problems then meets the eye. If the revolver is returned to Smith & Wesson they will first give it a complete inspection, and then send you (or the owner) a quote covering what it will cost to return the gun to factory specification.

You (or he) then have a choice: 1. Send S&W the required money and authorize them to proceed with the work, or 2: Decline to have the work done, and the company will return the gun in the same condition they received it. Since this is not a warrantee repair the gun owner will be expected to pay shipping costs both ways - unless you (he) get very lucky.

 

[Matt Almeda]

Hi Guys,
Probably who ever worked on the trigger just got a little excited polishing the trigger hook.
Your local gunsmith just needs to pull the trigger and stone the "hook" so that you get above 3lbs in single action.
Any competent local gunsmith should be able to do it and without all of the shipping costs to the factory.

 

[Oro]

Probably who ever worked on the trigger just got a little excited polishing the trigger hook.
Your local gunsmith just needs to pull the trigger and stone the "hook" so that you get above 3lbs in single action.

I agree, or also the hammer hook. A competent gunsmith can fix this pretty easily. Your worst case scenario is probably a new hammer, trigger, or both. Most 15's had case-hardened finishes. These are very thin finishes, and if someone has stoned the hooks, it usually goes right through the finish and the damage is obvious. Once the finish is stoned, the wear to the parts is exponential, and the new "trigger job" rapidly wears into the danger zone very quickly.

I doubt there is any amount of stoning that can repair it safely and replacement is the likely solution.

 

[Spartacus451]

You could also do away with SA entirely and use it as a DAO revolver.

 

[Jim K]

Most SA "trigger job artists" who get carried away stone the hammer, not the trigger, and cut through the case hardening. A VERY few gunsmiths may be equipped to cut a new notch and re-harden the hammer, but IMHO a new hammer and/or trigger will be needed.

Jim

 

[earplug]

Gun Broker auction

I like to swap out my wide triggers for the narrow style triggers on my revolvers.
I have had good luck buying parts off GunBroker auctions.

If you get the Jerry Kuhnhausen S&W manual, you can save some time money and have some fun.

Many firearms get destroyed by various governments but the parts get saved for resale.
Most of the time, the parts are a drop in replacement, or at worst a very minor fitting in required.

 

[Jim K]

For the most part, and assuming the same configuration, S&W parts will interchange with little or no fitting. But when buying parts, specify both the model and "dash" numbers or the serial number of the gun.

Jim