problem with my S&W 28-2

[wnycollector]

I went to the range yesterday and ran into a little snag. I was occasionally getting light primer strikes (and no bang!) with my .357 ammo. It occured only when fired DA. I was using magtech 158gr SJHP and Fiochi 142 gr FMJ. I did not engounter the problem when firing SA, only DA. ALL the ammo fired on the second strike. Also I did not encounter the problem when shooting .38 SWC reloads.

Should I just assume it was hard primers or (GASP) could I have a problem with my big bad N frame???

 

[steveno]

make sure the strain screw in the front of the grip is tight

 

[jdomin]

if your using aftermarket grips they might be rubbing the spring

 

[Will5A1]

In addition to checking the strain screw ensure there isn't any dried up oil/gunk binding the hammer. Is the hammer body wobbling at all so that in DA it might be lightly hitting the frame? Shine a good light on the firing pin bushing, is it burred or deformed slightly? Were the primer indents centered and as deep as normal? Grasp the cyclinder, action closed and revolver at full lockup, is there much fore and aft movement? I assume you have a stock spring in it. Post back and let us know, but I those primers should have gone bang on the first stike.

 

[wnycollector]

thanks for the quick responses. Yes, the previous owner had replaced the stock grips with pachymar presentation grips. I just pulled the grips off and did not find and rub or scuff marks on them. As for the strain screw...how tight should in be? I gave it ~1.5 turns and I can still go tighter. Is it possible to overtighten this???

 

[Majic]

The strain screw should be tightened until it bottoms. Some people back the screw out to reduce trigger pull weight but the end result can be reduced hammer power creating light strikes.

 

[wnycollector]

Thanks again for the quick responses gentlemen!