I recently picked up the a 19-3 from my local FFL Owner's private collection who transferred it to me via PPT here in California. The double action is a standard weight but when I go to do SA pulls it is incredibly light. Lighter than I'm used to for any revolver I've ever shot including my 66-1 which I've only dry fired as I don't fire that one.

I fired DA for the whole cylinder when examining the gun at the store and also tested the hammer by applying force to the back when cocked and didn't have any issues with either.

Is an extremely light trigger pull common on SA pulls for 19's or is this something that was potentially modified by a previous owner.

Thanks,

New AND Younger S&W Owner Mitchell

Have you actually fired the gun in both single and double action, or just dry-fired it? If it passes the push-off test in single action, and you have no FTF's when shooting it from light primer strikes, I wouldn't worry about it beyond the obvious of making sure your finger is off the trigger while aiming until you intend to pull the trigger. I suppose some SA pulls may be lighter in one gun vs. another, especially on the older ones where hand-fitting may make one a bit more sensitive. If you have FTF's on double action, there may have been some improper trigger action work done, which may or may not affect single action. The hammer falls further in SA, so it may have enough inertia to fire, even if it doesn't in DA.

My 19-3 is very sensitive on SA, what I would call a hair-trigger, but no more so than the M28-2 or the M57 I own. I love the feel of a nicely tuned S&W SA pull.

I have a number of double action revolvers whose single actions I consider to be quite light. I never even think about. I know better than to cock a revolver under stress and I generally don't bother to do that at the range unless I'm trying very hard to hit perfectly.

__________________
Come and take it!!

This is very helpful and no I have not yet been able to get out to the range to test whether or not I have any FTF's on SA or DA. If I were to experience FTF's on SA only or both SA+DA, what would be the next course of action?

If all is well when I go to the range then I'll be delighted as it's in fantastic condition otherwise and the light pull will be great for my shooting.

A light, crisp SA pull is usually normal with a S&W revolver. If you find you are having cartridge ignition issues at the range, pull the grips off and check the strain screw at the bottom front of the grip frame. It should be tight against the flat mainspring. Some people turn that screw out to lighten trigger pull, and it results in light hammer strikes.

Larry

My 19-3 is a well used specimen and it has a light feeling, very crisp single action pull. The double action is also very smooth.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

As you probably know, there are tools made to measure trigger pull. Unless you quantify "light" you (and we) don't really know what you have and can't really make an accurate judgement. I would suggest you either borrow or buy the tool and get an actual measurement of the pull. Sometimes a clean trigger with no creep feels lighter than it is.

Is the strain screw on the grip frame tight?

I know better than to cock a revolver under stress also, but you could always do what I once did. (here comes an old war story)
In 1979 was serving an arrest/search warrant on guy who stole and looted an armored car. He knew we were close and was reported sitting on the couch with a .45 in his lap. As door knob turned, I kicked door and knocked suspect to floor while my partner was on him like a pit bull. Looked down and had my Mod 66 2.5" pointed at him with the hammer cocked back. I never shot single action and we never trained single action, double action shooting only. Within next few days took the M66 and filed off the single action notch. It is, and has been since 1979, double action only.

The rebound spring almost entirely determines what the single action weight is, assuming the hammer and trigger SA parts haven't been altered. A previous owner may have put in a lighter rebound spring. A normal SA pull weight would be around 2.5 to 3.5 lb.

__________________
protocalldesign.com