This past weekend, I got a deal on a used 9mm Lady Smith. I removed the slide and the grip panel to give it a good cleaning & lube job. While the barrel was nice and clean, the rest of the gun looks like it hadn't been touched since it left Springfield. What I have a question about is there was a build up of some sort of soft brown fuzzy material around the the recoil spring plug and it's recess area in the frame. My question is did the 3913's use some sort of fiber "shock buffer", sorta like the the wool one found in the Sigma pistol?
S&W Model 3913 Lady Smith Question
- Thread starter Shadow72
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Cosmodragoon
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Can you post a picture of this?
Been through the armorer class for the S&W 3rd gen models 4 times. Carried some issued ones since '89/'90 and own some more. Never heard of a factory "fiber buffer" for them.
FWIW, the fiber insert used in the Sigma trigger spring, and now in the M&P triggers, are due to the particular design and location of the trigger spring, making it subject to recoil forces generated when the rear of the barrel impacts the locking block directly above it. It dampens the vibrations experienced by the trigger spring (called harmonics by some gun engineers) and extends the service life of the spring. The 3rd gen's have a different design and don't require a vibration dampener.
Absent pictures being posted, I could only speculate the previous owner of your 3913 didn't routinely and fully clean that part of the frame, so some dust, fibers and other debris may have had the opportunity to accumulate and form what you're trying to describe.
As an armorer, I've seen some 3rd gen's which appeared nicely clean on the outside (and even inside/outside the barrel), but which had accumulated some nasty collections of dirt, fuzz, hair, dust, congealed lube/solvents and other bits of unidentifiable debris inside the frame.
You ought to see the inside of the guns carried by K9 officers, as they seem even more prone to accumulate dog hair in the oddest places, and the congealed hair and dirt can start to take on a mysterious greenish hue after a while.
Now, there's been some sort of aftermarket "buffers" advertised for sale for S&W 3rd gen guns, at one time or another, and while I've never seen or used one, I'd not be surprised to learn of some owner thinking to try something of that nature in their gun.
FWIW, the fiber insert used in the Sigma trigger spring, and now in the M&P triggers, are due to the particular design and location of the trigger spring, making it subject to recoil forces generated when the rear of the barrel impacts the locking block directly above it. It dampens the vibrations experienced by the trigger spring (called harmonics by some gun engineers) and extends the service life of the spring. The 3rd gen's have a different design and don't require a vibration dampener.
Absent pictures being posted, I could only speculate the previous owner of your 3913 didn't routinely and fully clean that part of the frame, so some dust, fibers and other debris may have had the opportunity to accumulate and form what you're trying to describe.
As an armorer, I've seen some 3rd gen's which appeared nicely clean on the outside (and even inside/outside the barrel), but which had accumulated some nasty collections of dirt, fuzz, hair, dust, congealed lube/solvents and other bits of unidentifiable debris inside the frame.
You ought to see the inside of the guns carried by K9 officers, as they seem even more prone to accumulate dog hair in the oddest places, and the congealed hair and dirt can start to take on a mysterious greenish hue after a while.
Now, there's been some sort of aftermarket "buffers" advertised for sale for S&W 3rd gen guns, at one time or another, and while I've never seen or used one, I'd not be surprised to learn of some owner thinking to try something of that nature in their gun.
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I am assuming that the material I found was carbon fouling, dirt or whatever. It looked like rusted steel wool wrapped around the recoil spring plug/recoil spring. Flushing the frame assembly with Gun Scrubber wash a bunch of crap out of the various recesses. This is the first Model 39 series that I have ever own and I used the Sigma reference as I was familiar with the wool disc used in that gun. The internals of this gun was very dirty, and I believe the former owner didn't do much beyond clean the barrel. I have cleaned and lubed it, so will see how it runs this weekend at the range. Again, thanks for the advice, at least now I know that I don't have a part that needs to be replaced.
Nice pickup. Love me some 3rd genny smiths, and the 3913 is a favorite. Sounds like the mysterious gunk is just that. Glad it cleaned out nicely.
Note to self - After reading this thread, I am going to add "always make sure your carry gun is cleaned inside and out regularly" to my mother's admonishment "always make sure you are wearing nice, clean underwear in case you are in an accident."
Note to self - After reading this thread, I am going to add "always make sure your carry gun is cleaned inside and out regularly" to my mother's admonishment "always make sure you are wearing nice, clean underwear in case you are in an accident."