Hammer de-cocked preload reduction???

[twinhairdryers 2]

So i picked up a new S-12 on an auction.  Only tweaking was a bolt on AR buttstock and a rail system handguard.  All else felt and smelled Izmash factory new and unmolested.  Of course, i started my quest to save money to run low power low brass rounds through it.  First took it out and pounded 4 boxes of 3" slugs through it as an early break in and make sure it runs high power stuff without issue.  of course all passed.  I fully disassembled it, and found 4 angles gas ports - good news my prior early gun only had 3 and i f-d up the drill down on the 4th but that is another story.  I opened all 4 ports up to about 0.07 or so.  then i polished the right things i've seen everyone buffs up on the bolt and carrier and hammer and rails.  Then i put in a DHP 6 position regulator.  I cut two links off the end of the recoil string.  On #6 setting it still only ejects every 3rd round or so cleanly with a mix of ammo, all at 1220-1290 fps from Winchester AAs to remington gam loads and Federal game and sport loads and such.  It seems that it is getting enough gas, but there is a real heavy pre-load on the hammer after it fires, so there is still a big sticky friction point on the reset of the hammer just as that bolt carrier tang hits the hammer face to re-cock it.  is there something that can be done to reduce the preload on a de-cocked vertical hammer? or do just need to fool with opening up gas ports again?  my polish job is nice and clean on the return stroke to load the next round, very smooth and never fails to go into battery if ejection works.

[drkstrw 15]

[Wagnikov 186]

To answer your question yes you can put in a light JTE hammer spring. And possibly get light primer strikes. But I'm guessing if you just polished what you saw on pictures that you didn't in fact profile The hammer appropriately

I've never use that gas plug but make sure you're on the highest gas setting. And for ports at .070 may need a little more gas. Another small hole may be better option then enlarging the four holes you have. The new versions of the saiga's that run birdshot factory out-of-the-box have five holes and I believe there about the same diameter 70 or so thousand

Although that's on the nonadjustable gas system it's still a 12 gauge round, and it's basically the same general size of piston bolt carrier etc. any they work.

Make sure your friction work is done first before you enlarge the gas system but if you do decide to add another hole use the shadow from the gas block to determine the location for a functional Gasport