S&W 38 Safety Hammerless, 3rd model

[Flinch Morningwood]

Had one of these for a while and am finally getting around to working on it.

Timing and barrel is good, etc but the grip safety doesn't move or work.  By not working, I mean the gun can fire whether it's depressed or not.

Anyone know of where to get information on this specific challenge?  I have "Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West" and while there is takedown instructions, there is nothing about this.

Thanks!

[hawkeye2]

I have a mint 2nd. model and everything works like new.  When I got it it was so gummed up with old oil the action would barely function and the barrel was leaded badly.  I took it apart and did a thorough cleaning which restored it to functioning like new.  Until I was given this one I had no experience with them but had always thought they were neat from back in my childhood.  The grip safety is a very simple mechanism and if you remove the grips and side plate you will see it and it's self explanatory.  Over  a lifetime I have heard of many instances where owners disabled the grip safety, possibly because they felt it could fail and prevent the gun from firing.  If someone has done that you should be able to see that with the grips and side plate off.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/smith-wesson/revolvers-sw/32-saf-hammerless

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/smith-wesson/revolvers-sw/38-saf-hammerless