The Original CZ Forum

GENERAL => CZ Gunsmithing => Topic started by: dbarn on August 20, 2019, 08:07:21 AM

Title: Hammer Drag
Post by: dbarn on August 20, 2019, 08:07:21 AM
Wanted to share my recent experience with trying to figure why the double action pull on my SP-01 Tactical was becoming less than smooth after about 9000 rounds. Over that period of time, the DA initially became more smooth with use, but then reached a point where the smoothness began to reverse and when slowly pulling the trigger, the hammer began to have slight interruptions.

This pistol was ordered direct from CGW with the pro package installed. It's been nothing less than stellar.

Decided to do a complete disassembly, including the dreaded decocker sear cage, to try and diagnose the problem. I found that the hammer on the leading front edges just below the exposed area hidden by the frame, had very sharp edges. In fact the edges were slightly rolled where they made contact with the frame. The left side of the hammer was worse than the right side. Using a small file the edges were smoothed. Finished up with 1000 grit sand paper both on the hammer and inside the frame where contact was made. All of the other internal polished parts are wearing very nicely with no other detection of burs or abnormal wear.

The pistol was reassembled and the hammer interruptions in DA were eliminated. A smooth DA pull cannot be overstated. 

Title: Re: Hammer Drag
Post by: M1A4ME on August 20, 2019, 08:25:51 AM
Did you round off those sharp edges?  Or just leave them flat/sharp cornered?

What kind of lube do you use?

How often to you clean it?

Have you considered a hard/smooth coating/finish for the hammer?

Did you replace the hammer pin?  Was it worn/loose in the hammer?

Sorry for all the questions but seems like all of them might affect the wear you saw and I wondered if you'd done any of them prior to or during the repairs.
Title: Re: Hammer Drag
Post by: dbarn on August 20, 2019, 08:34:10 AM
Did you round off those sharp edges?  Or just leave them flat/sharp cornered?

What kind of lube do you use?

How often to you clean it?

Have you considered a hard/smooth coating/finish for the hammer?

Did you replace the hammer pin?  Was it worn/loose in the hammer?

Sorry for all the questions but seems like all of them might affect the wear you saw and I wondered if you'd done any of them prior to or during the repairs.

Thanks for the questions. I use a military grade CLP and usually oil where the hammer makes contact with the sear.

I clean after each range session about 150 rounds per week and detail strip about every 2000 rounds.

Have not considered a different finish on the hammer. The CGW race hammer still has the original finish with the area the makes contact to the frame worn in the white.

Have not even considered replacing the hammer pin. I can move the hammer slightly from side to side installed.

I very slightly rounded the rolled edges and then polished them. 
Title: Re: Hammer Drag
Post by: M1A4ME on August 20, 2019, 10:33:25 AM
Different finish on the hammer is just the idea that some make it harder and slicker.

I would think rounding off the corners and polishing would really help reduce friction and keep the edges looking better longer.

I have no idea how much "wobble" is okay with the hammer vs. the pin vs. the sloit in the frame.  Don't have any idea what the acceptable hammer pin diameter or acceptable inside diameter of the hammer pin hole in the hammer is either.

Just figured any side to side/twisting movement of the hammer on the pin might contribute to increased friction and the wear you saw on your hammer.
Title: Re: Hammer Drag
Post by: spiritinaz045 on August 20, 2019, 10:48:01 AM
Have you considered contacting CGW they advertise lifetime warranty?
I know the hammer has not failed, thing is it is EDM cut, and heat treated so it should be a lot harder, and smoother than anything it rubbed on. They may be curious about it also.
Who knows may even be a new hammer in it for you they are great people.
Title: Re: Hammer Drag
Post by: dbarn on August 20, 2019, 10:55:24 AM
Have you considered contacting CGW they advertise lifetime warranty?
I know the hammer has not failed, thing is it is EDM cut, and heat treated so it should be a lot harder, and smoother than anything it rubbed on. They may be curious about it also.
Who knows may even be a new hammer in it for you they are great people.

They are great people and I have no complaints. For now I'm happy, especially after 9000 rounds. I also kind of like that this hammer has "worn in" with other parts and is again operating smoothly.
Title: Re: Hammer Drag
Post by: DOC 1500 on August 20, 2019, 12:20:43 PM
If she GW did the work I would contact them immediately !!!
 they're great people and would definitely have an answer for you one way or the other.
Title: Re: Hammer Drag
Post by: Tok36 on August 20, 2019, 01:16:53 PM
I have wear on the sides of a number of my self installed comp/race hammers. Though it has not caused any noticeable issues in my 75 variant CZs i have taken to removing some materiel from the hammer slot in the frame and slide if it is tight or rubbing during travel. Hammer drag can be quite pronounced in the CZ P-Series as well in some cases.

Glad that you found the factor that was negatively effecting your DA. Interesting stuff.
Title: Re: Hammer Drag
Post by: dbarn on August 20, 2019, 06:49:10 PM
I have wear on the sides of a number of my self installed comp/race hammers. Though it has not caused any noticeable issues in my 75 variant CZs i have taken to removing some materiel from the hammer slot in the frame and slide if it is tight or rubbing during travel. Hammer drag can be quite pronounced in the CZ P-Series as well in some cases.

Glad that you found the factory that was negatively effecting your DA. Interesting stuff.

Did not think that would be the area that was causing the problem. But upon disassembly it became obvious. Hoping the problem is solved for at least another 10,000 rounds.  :)