With complete risk of sounding like "I don't like J frames...", I don't care for the Target Trigger on my 6" 19-4. I keep trying to figure out why I would want that huge of a trigger face and I just can't fathom what I'm missing. Someone help me out.

I don't think you're missing anything Bob, I don't care for the "target" controls either, I've got and have had guns with both kinds, I can't tell any difference in how I shoot them, I like the non target T & H look better though.

Those triggers were designed specifically for deliberate single-action precision shooting, and are generally considered moderately awful for anything else.
For any double action shooting I much prefer a smooth medium-width trigger.

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Science plus Art

I must have missed something-a "J" frame 19-4?

The hammer doesn't bother me, but I do find it odd in size.

I prefer those smooth front medium width triggers over anything else period. I have always been lead to think that most S&W shooting was done double action but I do most of my range fun target shooting in single action.

I DON"T CARE FOR J FRAMES

Im with you on this one. I do just about all of my shooting with a DA revolver double action and that worthless target trigger is a real detriment to good shooting.

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Stay safe people!

OH-OK. whatever.

I do not like a ribbed target trigger.I just got a model 14 8 3/8 with one and i did not care for it. My 19-3 Texas ranger does have a smooth target and i like that much better.

It would seem we few are a minority on this issue.

I don't think you are a minority. I also do not like a wide target trigger for "Double Action" shooting. It is fine for controlled single action shooting. I have a wide target trigger on my 686-0 that I used for PPC shooting, and I had ground the serrations out of it and contoured the trigger face and polished it many years ago and it is great for double action shooting.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I shoot double action exclusively and I'm no fan of the target trigger (much less the ultra-wide target hammer). I prefer a smooth combat trigger. The paradox here is that my favorite handgun, my 27-3, has a target hammer and trigger. I've adjusted for the sake of that gun but I'd still prefer a thinner profile.

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I understand that when revolvers were the norm for target shooting, the TT and TH were considered desirable features. However, from my perspective, I do not consider that they offer any advantages. The TH is heavier increasing lock time, which is a liability in any target shooting formal, informal or tactical. I have never found the TT helpful for SA shooting. It is a hinderance in DA shooting. I've had 27's, 17's, and 19's w/ these target features. I have not enjoyed them so much. I much prefer my 15, 18 and 28's for SA and DA shooting. Of course this is only my opinion. YMMV. Sincerely. brucev.

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I have revolvers with all styles of triggers and hammers. Personally I don't have any issue shooting one or the other. However, I don't competition shoot any, so I'm not sure if that would make any difference or not. I was taught by my father to use the pad (fingerprint area) of my trigger finger centered on the trigger. To me the trigger width never impacts my technique. Right or wrong, it works for me.

The first handgun I ever shot back in the late 60s (and I still own) is a pre-model 15, K-38 Combat Masterpiece with an add-on target trigger shoe. I like the look and enjoy shooting it! So I guess this makes me "Pro"-Target Trigger!

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Mark

I have to align myself with those that dislike the TT/TH.

Years of carring a USAF issue 15 with them, I could never understand why target accesories were ordered on a combat weapon.

Fortunately, some of the armorers at different bases I was stationed at felt the same way and would install my .312 smooth combat trigger and semi target hammer on my issue 15. Of course I just happened to have them available.

For single action target work they are great. Not for defensive or combat shooting.

I much prefer a smooth, non grooved trigger for fast double action work.

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Take your time..quickly.

Guns are a personal thing and can be changed to fit the likes of the owner. If a target trigger is not what you like, have it changed to a standard trigger or a combat trigger.

Bill

Yes! This is why guns sometimes don't letter with the current equipment....and why ebay and gunbroker always have plenty of spare hammers and triggers.

I personally LOVE Target Hammers and Triggers.

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Yeah, I dig the target triggers, too. Probably gonna change out the trigger on my 14 to a TT when I have some dough I don't spend on reloading stuff!

Seems like the factory realized the smooth trigger is more desirable for
sustained use as they named it the "COMBAT" trigger.

Interestingly the majority of my 4" barrel Combat revolvers made from the early 80's on appear to have the .312 smooth combat trigger as standard equiptment.

19 should be a K frame gun.

Opinion: Target triggers are useless for a combat gun. They're great for single action shooting, but I'm of the Ed McGivern school that doesn't buy S&W's to shoot them single action.

Oh well, after many years of carrying a 4 inch Model 66 TT TH WO RR on duty, and all the training and practice sessions that entailed, K frames without those features just don't "feel quite right" to me. Even my little 2 1/2 inch 66 is configured as above. So I guess the lesson learned is you can get used to anything....

It is a K frame gun.

I was refering to an old thread where for reasons not quite obvious to most, someone just threw out they care for J frames. I didn't want this to come out like that.

I have just finally decided that I don't care for the T's in my guns, wanted to say as much, and maybe get some opinion on the subject assuming I was using them right.

Nothing more, nothing less.

I don't care for parts swapping on forged steel parts / pinned barrel older guns. I will do it all day long in in current guns, but that's a personal choice.

I am not crazy about target triggers but I absolutely love target hammers for shooting SA.

Me too, never seen one.



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James

Count me with the guys who don't care for the TT/TH set up. As a double action shooter the wide triggers are no help. Keep shootin'

3T's for me, on anything but a snubby, but then I'm old-school. And, I consider anything under 4 inches a snubby.

Why have a target trigger on a mdl.30-1.
Dick

Because it looks so cool! The only thing that gun needs now is adjustable sights.

I used to think 3Ts was the cat's meow until I bought two or three guns with them. Now I don't think so much of them. They look cool but not so good for shooting.

I actually like to collect the specimens with the TH and TT on them. I like the target models in general. But I'm not a competitive shooter. I collect S&W revolvers so my interest is different.

The only revolver I carry for the real world is a 1970's Model 49 Bodyguard and it doesn't have a target trigger. Now I did once come across a Model 36 with a target trigger and target hammer on it. What a ridiculous thing to put on a Chiefs Special.

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I type. Therefore I am.

While I have several with Target triggers, the only one that feels good to me is one on a 686 no dash that was a case colored target, which I ground all the serrations out of and contoured and polished it. It was my PPC gun for a few years, and was shot double action most of the time. I do like the Target Hammers, as it gives me a little more hammer to grab for when trying one handed single action.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Funny I should see this thread now as I just this past weekend I made hamburger out of the side of my trigger finger shooting an NRA Action Pistol match with my “Model of 1955”. I shot all four stages and then another stage of the mover for a total of 240 rounds and man, the side of my finger was raw from that serrated target trigger. I know I should just “man up” and develop a callous but I think I may ease the serrations a little with a Cratex wheel in the Dremal before next month. As an aside, just as I thought NRA Action Pistol was a total gas to shoot with the Model 25. I had bought a 100 moon clips and had plenty loaded up so was able to shoot the whole match plus without messing with mooning or demooning, loading magazines, or chasing brass! That’s my idea of fun!

They do look good, and I kinda like the target hammer for single action. I could take or leave the target trigger for single action shooting. Defensive shooting is a different matter though, and I prefer a standard width trigger.

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Even older, even crankier....

Fat & Wide are out. Skinny & Thin are IN. l just love the skinny triggers on my 28 4'' HP and 15 snubby. l DONT like the wide fat trigger on my 5'' Mod 27 l got with my tax refund

JMHO, but I like trigger with enough width so my finger doesn't wrap all the way around it, but narrow enough to work with a holster, etc. Smooth is good... those serrations do cut in during the double action pull. I guess it all comes down to whatever you are most comfortable with. Somebody once told me that if you think it will make you shoot better, it will, and if you think it makes you worse, you will be! Words to live by!

Froggie

+1 on the haters list. Anybody know where to score a narrow trigger for a 17-3? I didn't realize they were different from the models with hammer mounted pins till I bought one that I know can't use. An extra hammer I could bob for DA only would be nice, too.

One thing I do like about the target versions is the partridge post front sight. I can see them better than a quick-draw ramp.

I've got examples of all three I guess. Target triggers/hammers, standard groved triggers, smooth faced triggers. It really doesn't matter to me.

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John 3:16 .

This old school (late '62) 27-2 snubby was shipped with the 3 Ts (and the trigger is wide enough to dig a trench with). They definately belong on a 6".

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I guess I could have added to this that I’m also anti- serrated trigger face as well. I enjoy shooting m7 19-4 and 28-2 at the range but to be honest I end up shooting my newer generation 10-10 (I think it’s a -10, can’t remember for sure) that has the smooth faced trigger. I can shoot that one all day long and not have the finger grater effect creep up on my finger. I’m not big on swapping forged parts that aren’t matched together as I feel you give up that old hand fitted feel, but I’m really thinking of giving up and swapping out the trigger on that 19-4 and 28-2. It’s so bad that one time I wore through a shooting glove and wrapped a band aid around my finger just to keep shooting.

When we shot revolvers single action in the bullseye centerfire and 45 courses there was definite advantage to a wide serrated target trigger and checkered wide hammer spur. many gunsmiths modified both to suit individual shooters preferences. For use in the current pistol games (ICORE, IDPA, USPSA, Steel Challenge) I prefer a smooth trigger.

I have replaced the wide serrated target trigger on several S&W N frame guns with a medium smooth faced trigger. I have also shot quite a few wide smooth faced S&W 629 guns. The varied width doesn't seem to be much of a problem, except the extremely narrow rounded double action only style. I like the case blued finish and would like a "standard" trigger on my 29-10, due to the meat grinder effect on my trigger finger with just about any medium .44 Magnum load. On the .357 Mag and below calibers, I can live with what the factory provides.

I "love" the target hammers too, and install them in most, if not all, my K, L, & N frame revolvers. I "like" the target triggers for the most part, but usually install the smooth combat trigger, especially if I'm going to shoot the gun DA. I also like the color case hardened components better than the flash chromed or stainless parts, and all my stainless guns have the CCH triggers and hammers. To each his own.

A Target Trigger on any revolver that may (need to) be fired in double action has never made any sense to me.
I attribute their presence to "state of fashion" in the Sixties and possibly their use in Bullseye competition in the day.

For me the ideal configuration for any S&W revolver is a target hammer and a medium width smooth trigger. The target trigger reduces the perception of trigger pull weight by spreading the pressure over more of your finger. I think most people had tougher hands back then too, so the serrations were less annoying to them.

I posted a similar thread topic a few weeks ago, and consensus was pretty much those who primarily shot single action preferred the target trigger (minority of posters in that thread), and those who shot double almost exclusively, or exclusively preferred the combat trigger. of those who preferred the combat trigger, most preferred smooth to serrated.