How to Polish a Hammer & Sear

Over time, carbon dust builds up inside the receivers and actions of firearms. Carbon built up on the surfaces of the hammer and sear can make the trigger heavier, unreliable and sticky. Cleaning and polishing the surfaces of the hammer and sear in your firearm should be part of any cleaning ritual. By following a few simple steps, you can make problems involving the hammer and sear a thing of the past.

Things You'll Need

  • Fine grit sharpening stone
  • Polishing compound
  • Gun oil
  • Cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the trigger mechanism from your firearm. Separate your hammer and sear.

    • 2

      Apply some gun oil onto your fine-grit sharpening stone.

    • 3

      Rub the wear surfaces of the hammer and sear very gently against the oiled stone, taking great care not to grind away any metal and not to change any of the angles, especially with regard to the sear. Do this to remove any stubborn carbon deposits. If it's clear and clean, skip this step.

    • 4

      Apply gunsmithing rubbing compound to a cloth, an amount the size of a pea. Polish the hammer's surfaces and sear by rubbing the compound and cloth onto the surfaces of the metal. Clean and ensure there is no residual rubbing compound present.

    • 5

      Apply a light coat of oil over the surfaces of the hammer and sear, and replace the trigger mechanism back into the firearm in the opposite order as the removal.