HELP WITH DOUBLE ACTION GLITCH

[fausto]

Today I've brought my newly acquired S&W 15-3 to the range. The gun is pleasant to shoot and accurate as expected.
While I was testing the DA pull I've realized that if I pull the trigger very slowly in DA I can set the hammer all the way up in SA and freeze it in that position. It's like if the trigger would act as a two stages trigger bringing the hammer to the SA notch and then dropping it. I've never experienced something like that and I would like to know if it can be considered normal or else something is wrong.
As far as I can see the revolver has been shot very little, may be a box of rounds, and the screws are perfect like they have never been tampered with.
Anybody has ever experienced something like this?

 

[beag_nut]

I would simply quietly steal away, without telling anyone that I own a Smith 15-3. Then, I would get used to how that revolver works, and keep it to myself.
Just saying, even though I prefer Rugers.

 

[fausto]

I think I've solved it, the main spring adjustment screw was nearly all the way out. This morning I had some light strikes while shooting so I checked the spring tension. I just turned it back in to nearly maximum tension and I don't seem to be able to work the trigger, freezing the hammer in SA position, as before. Next monday I will check it at the range.

 

[MrBorland]

if I pull the trigger very slowly in DA I can set the hammer all the way up in SA and freeze it in that position.

Your description isn't quite clear, but I assume you're not talking about "staging" a DA trigger. If you're describing a situation where the hammer stays cocked after you release a partially-pulled DA trigger, I'd say you've "half-cocked" the hammer. This isn't how S&W's were designed to work, nor do I think it's safe or good for the delicate surfaces within the firearm.

Look at the pics below. Normally, when the DA trigger is pulled, the trigger nose pushes on the DA sear until the hammer/trigger interface transitions to an interaction between the trigger cam and the area of the hammer just below the SA sear. In a "half-cock", the trigger cam (instead of the nose) is interacting with the SA sear. Normally, the DA trigger would break the shot well before the hammer would go far enoug

 

[AZAndy]

I have an old well-worn Chiefs that does that. I just shoot it anyway, without pausing at that spot.

 

[fireman 9731]

A thorough cleaning and light lube of the internals is the first thing I would do.

 

[fausto]

@MR Borland: thanks a lot!
"If you're describing a situation where the hammer stays cocked after you release a partially-pulled DA trigger"
Yes this is the situation I'm trying to describe.
It doesn't seem to happen anymore with the main spring fully loaded. I will buy some snap caps and dry practice to detect if it happens again.
I would hate having to take her to a gunsmith, I live in Italy and gunsmiths are not easy to find in my area.

 

[jdavis123]

There is nothing wrong with your revolver. The strain screw must be fully tightened according to S&W. The increase in tension on the hammer has made staging more difficult as it should. Forget about staging the double action trigger pull. Shooting single action (hammer cocked) will give you the light trigger pull for greater accuracy. Learn to shoot double action with one smooth pull without stopping. Using double action in an emergency will not allow you time to stage the trigger. This is the way your revolver was designed to function. Practice with it in both SA and DA and enjoy it.

 

[Wireman]

A thorough cleaning and light lube of the internals is the first thing I would do.