Army .38 Colt Question

[Jughead]

Can anyone tell me what the function of this screw on the stock front is? I note that both the Colt 1901 and 1903 .38 DA revolvers have it. Is it to adjust the trigger/hammer pull? THANKS

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[up196]

It's the mainspring tension screw. Early Colt's DA revolvers, like thw New Army and New Navy and corresponding military revolvers had a flat mainspring, much like a current S&W has. Works the same way as it does on S&W revolvers.

[Jughead]

Thanks but what is its function on a S&W and how/what does it adjust/work?

[Tom Doniphon]

On an S&W it's the cylinder stop adjustment screw.

[Johnny Peppers]

Here is the screw on an N frame S&W. As mentioned, it pre-tensions the hammer spring. The more the screw is turned in the more tension it puts on the hammer spring. To remove the hammer spring, just back the screw off until there is no longer tension on it.

[Jughead]

I should have mentioned the issue I thought this screw might have something to do with. When I try to pull the trigger with one finger it is almost impossible. I was wondering if this screw might have something to do with making it easier to pull? THANKS

[Jim K]

Actually, in both cases the screw is not really intended to provide tension adjustment but to allow the spring to be easily removed/replaced. The Colt looks like the screw is cranked in way too far, which could simply be a mistake but could indicate some other problem. I would at least remove the grips and see if there is some problem; if not, just back the screw out until it is just above the surface of the grip and see if the trigger pull is easier.

Jim

[Johnny Peppers]

I have seen them pre-tensioned so much that the hammer spring hits the backstrap just before the hammer cocks, greatly inreasing the amount of pressure needed to cock the revolver.
Remove your grips to see what is going on.