80 model...3 speed manual....

when shifting from 1st to 2nd, my shifter tends to get stuck and i have one of two options.

1) jam it back in first by hand
2) manually hammer the shifter arm at the transmission back into gear.

if shifted correctly i can avoid this problem, but when i'm trying to really get on it i have slow shift times between 1st and 2nd. I realize that a new shifter would probably stop the problem, but i wondered if anyone has solved this by other means.

Colum or floor shifter, adjustments are in order or they are worn beyond adjusting and need to be replaced.

floor shifter.

we tried to adjust the rods, but nothing would fix the prob.

The cross rod or the side wear plates are worn out. This is the pin that selects either the R-1 lever or the 2-3 lever. It slides out of the hole in the R-1 lever when you move the lever toward second and then catches the 2-3 lever and that hangs it up. If it didn't hang up you would end up with it in two gears at once and lock the transmission. You will have to rebuild (if you could find the parts) or replace the shifter. I suggest replacing. It will be quicker than wasting a bunch of time trying to find parts that you probably won't find.