single action too light

I bought a S&W Model 14-3 and the single action trigger pull is consistently 36 oz. I noticed that the double action surfaces looked surprisingly NOT smooth. I suspect the gun was mostly shot single action... Judging by how dirty it was under the plate it seems factory original inside. Is this a common problem with older revolvers? What is the solution?
2015-05-31

springs or the strain screw is loose or short. take a spent primer and place it between the strain screw and the mainspring and tighten it up. remeasure.

Can you push off the hammer when at full cock? if so, the hammer most likely needs replacing imho, although some smiths might be able to recut the hammer sear.

If you can push the hammer off full cock, the gun will not pass a safety check and would be disqualified from a match. A revolver smith can recut  the hammer and install new springs.

orpheoet wrote:I bought a S&W Model 14-3 and the single action trigger pull is consistently 36 oz. I noticed that the double action surfaces looked surprisingly NOT smooth. I suspect the gun was mostly shot single action... Judging by how dirty it was under the plate it seems factory original inside. Is this a common problem with older revolvers? What is the solution?
2015-05-31

Usually, this is a very simple fix, with a Power fixture.. By increasing the the angle of the sear ( trigger single action engagement surface ) which makes the engagement area/tip sharper, the pull weight will increase. The hammer hook is usually only .007/.008 deep . It can be reworked, but it is almost impossible to do by hand, and rarely necessary.
If, the rebound spring has been reduced/replaced, or the main spring replaced or screw backed out, all of which can also contribute to a lighter single action, and or push off..

I replaced the trigger return spring with a 19 Lb and I'm good again. A little under 3 lbs. Thanks