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357 mag hammer
blueskies
Member Posts: 95 ✭✭
I recently took my S&W 357 mag model 19-3 into the shop for repairs. The hammer when cocked can fire with pressure from the thumb pushing on the hammer. I am not sure, but I think this is called `roll-off.' I purchased the gun used many years ago and believe it was a police service revolver. Also, it has a hair-pin trigger so a trigger job is believed to have been performed. The repairman said that if there is not enough hammer remaining for repairs, a new hammer is required. The problem is that he has not been able to find any hammers for this old model. As such he will not return my gun or he will have to render it in-operative since it is un-safe in the present condition. Can he do this legally? Do you know where I may find a used hammer? As a second resort, can he modify the action so the gun will fire single action only - no cocked position?
Thank you for your comments!
Thank you for your comments!
Comments
But, he certainly could have been less heavy handed. Simply writing "NOT SAFE TO USE" on your receipt would protect him from liability.
Neal
I recently took my S&W 357 mag model 19-3 into the shop for repairs. The hammer when cocked can fire with pressure from the thumb pushing on the hammer. I am not sure, but I think this is called `roll-off.' I purchased the gun used many years ago and believe it was a police service revolver. Also, it has a hair-pin trigger so a trigger job is believed to have been performed. The repairman said that if there is not enough hammer remaining for repairs, a new hammer is required. The problem is that he has not been able to find any hammers for this old model. As such he will not return my gun or he will have to render it in-operative since it is un-safe in the present condition. Can he do this legally? Do you know where I may find a used hammer? As a second resort, can he modify the action so the gun will fire single action only - no cocked position?
Thank you for your comments!
It's called "push off" and there is a modicum of logic in what your gunsmith is doing - although I certainly disagree with his manners and approach. Some gun companies I've dealt with take a similar approach.
First, you should be able to get a K frame hammer without much problem. From that point it's just a matter of having it fitted to your particular gun. Again, not a tough job but it most likely will have to be done to ensure proper timing. Overall this is not a big issue.
The gunsmith could entirely eliminate the SA capability and render the gun DA (operated by trigger)only in about 5 minutes, but unless you want that done I wouldn't settle for that result.
Back to the "you can't have your gun back" gunsmith. I'd presume he wants to avoid the liability which could be incurred by returning to you a gun he knows to be defective. The theory being he returns it to you, you accidentally shoot someone as a result of the defect then you and the poor slob with a hole in him (or his rather upset widow & family)sue the heck out of him saying "you should have known better". It's not such a far fetched concern. For years Thompson Center has replaced all modified parts whenever they work on a customer's gun, even if they are not parts being worked on. Smith does the same. I presume they do this because legal counsel (or experience) dictates this is legally prudent. Your gunsmith should have informed you of his policy BEFORE you handed over the gun to him.
But all in all this is an easily solved problem - get the part & have your gunsmith do the repair or take the gun back in parts, have someone else do the work.