Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-28-2011, 06:06 PM
HiCap HiCap is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Cranston, RI, US
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
Default Best weight for rebound spring for a J

The factory rebound spring is reportedly 19#. To lighten the pull, what do you folks suggest? I have a Wolff pack (pun intended) of 12# to 18# springs.

HiCap
__________________
HiCap
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-28-2011, 06:17 PM
dubhelix dubhelix is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
Liked 48 Times in 16 Posts
Default .

All of my J Frames have factory stock spring sets. They are all for defensive applications, and the smooth but heavy trigger pull is, in my opinion, perfect for that application. I like the strong, satisfying snap and brisk trigger return on a stock J Frame, particularly on an older centennial. I have an Apex spring kit in a box, somewhere. PM me if you want it.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 10-28-2011, 06:22 PM
snubbiefan snubbiefan is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southern Mississippi
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 23
Liked 348 Times in 203 Posts
Default

Likely more of a matter-of-taste.I know some people do not like the weaker springs, but I shoot 13's in my J's. In the 317....ain't got much of a choice. The TP on the smaller 22's need all the help they can get to lighten the load.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-29-2011, 08:05 AM
Martya's Avatar
Martya Martya is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 897
Likes: 343
Liked 446 Times in 240 Posts
Default

I had no real issue with my 642 trigger weight, since this is a SD weapon not a bull's eye weapon. It is quite stout at 18-19#, but sending 25 or 30 rounds down range was not that big of a deal with me; however my wife had a tough time even with 2 fingers pulling the trigger more than a couple of times.

According to Wolff, the factory rebound spring is 18-lb, and the hammer spring is 8.5-lb.

I ordered directly from Wolff Spring, a PA company!

16670 S&W RP REBOUND SPRING 11-15 ASSMT PAK Pak of 5
23808 S&W RP HAMMER SPRING 8LB PAK of 1

The Rebound Springs "Reduced Power" baggie has 11-lb, 12-lb, 13-lb, 14-lb, and 15-lb.

I chose the 12-lb rebound spring, installed it and the 8-lb hammer spring both just two days ago. I don't have a meter, but I would estimate the trigger pull is reduced about 1/3, so that makes it 12-13-lb. Wife dry-fired several times and she said it was much better.

It is still a stout pull, still much heavier than my 13-1, which I believe is OEM (just worn smooth). I feel safe carrying it like the pocket firearm it is, but it is in the safe until I can get to the range to test it with several brands of bullets. Seems folks are split as to whether this is a good idea. I did it because my wife needed it. I won't use it until it is tested.

Pretty good how-to video here
Part 1

and here
Part 2

Another S&W forum posting with pro / con comments about spring replacement.
__________________
Marty 4513TSW 13-1 642 60-10

Last edited by Martya; 10-29-2011 at 08:11 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-29-2011, 08:20 AM
snubbiefan snubbiefan is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southern Mississippi
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 23
Liked 348 Times in 203 Posts
Default

Which is precisely why I have 13-pound rebound and 9-pound hammer springs in all of mine....so the wife can shoot any of them much easier. I steer-clear of what I may consider hard primers. The magnum shooters may have issues with FTF and magnum primers, but I never have with any 38-special commercial, or reloaded ammo I have used. I have had one 22-dud from a 317, but that particular bullet was also a dud in another gun....just a manufactured dud.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-29-2011, 02:43 PM
bronco45's Avatar
bronco45 bronco45 is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Moscow, Idaho USA
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 9,620
Liked 1,696 Times in 679 Posts
Default

I use the Wolff #13 Trigger rebound spring in all my Js. I have trouble with the factory 18-19lb'er stacking and presenting a binding sensation when shooting DA slow fire.

All my Js except 1 are Centennial models of some type.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-29-2011, 04:08 PM
cjw3 cjw3 is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 858
Likes: 14
Liked 82 Times in 52 Posts
Default

I tried the 13# rebound spring in mine along with the 8# hammer spring. I found that occasionally I would find myself pulling again just barely before it reset....just a little light. I put in the 15# and it works fine.

I use a hand exercizer to strengthen trigger finger (and everything else). I prefer that method to lightening springs excessively, but a moderate reduction in the rebound spring along with a conservative trigger job goes a long way to making a J frame a little more user friendly.

It is really a trial and error thing, so you will just have to work with it to find what works best for you.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-30-2011, 10:32 PM
Gearhead Jim Gearhead Jim is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Illinois
Posts: 383
Likes: 17
Liked 140 Times in 75 Posts
Default

My 340PD had a trigger job by a S&W tech that was done "off the record." In addition to polishing, he put in a lighter rebound spring one year, then a year later he also cut a little off the hammer spring.

For the last few years I've had a Wolf 14 lb rebound spring and 8 lb hammer spring, they seem about equal to what the tech had done. I've put probably a thousand rds of mixed reloads, WWB 130 ball, and Speer 135 +P. No malfunctions at all. But my 340SS with the same springs would occasionally fail to return the trigger. Lots of testing required to be sure.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-07-2011, 08:45 AM
Martya's Avatar
Martya Martya is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 897
Likes: 343
Liked 446 Times in 240 Posts
Default

Just a followup to my earlier post above about installing Wolff springs:
Quote:
I chose the 12-lb rebound spring, installed it and the 8-lb hammer spring both just two days ago. I don't have a meter, but I would estimate the trigger pull is reduced about 1/3, so that makes it 12-13-lb. Wife dry-fired several times and she said it was much better.
I took my 642 to the range for a quick test. Wolff suggests rapid fire tests at the range first to see if anything jams. There is some discussions that reducing spring weights can cause some hard-primer rounds to misfire, or the gun to not cycle properly. I don't know what a hard primer looks like or who uses them or soft primers. I took what I have to the range.

I shot 10 (2 cylinder loads) each:
Fiocchi 130 gr. FMJ
Remington UMC 130 gr. MC
Federal 158 gr. LRN
Winchester White box 125 gr. +P JHP

This was my first time 'rapid-firing' all 5 shots at once, so while I did aim at the target I was more interested in reliable discharges. I had no issues, the cylinder went around and stopped at the right time, and the trigger reset just fine, so I consider my 642 still a reliable SD carry firearm for now.

Now I have to get Sally to the range to try it out, and I need to get a few more rounds down range, sort of a second, verification test - not that I need an excuse to go to the range...
__________________
Marty 4513TSW 13-1 642 60-10
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 07-30-2017, 10:25 AM
Deltam Deltam is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Default

Interesting thread. I have a 642 Airweight. I'm old enough, and arthritic enough that the heavy trigger pull causes finger pain after 5-7 shots making practice harder and causing a flinch.

I've worked on a few of my guns with little parts before and plan to get one of the Wolff kits.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-30-2017, 10:33 AM
OLDSTER's Avatar
OLDSTER OLDSTER is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 10,146
Likes: 14,187
Liked 12,739 Times in 3,480 Posts
Default

In my 642; 13# rebound and 8# hammer. Great combination and completely reliable
__________________
John
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-30-2017, 11:03 AM
gnystrom gnystrom is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 1,062
Liked 2,109 Times in 860 Posts
Default

I have Wolff kits in all my snubbies and found the 14# rebound spring to best suit my needs.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 07-30-2017, 11:25 AM
Wee Hooker Wee Hooker is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 3,068
Liked 4,294 Times in 1,610 Posts
Default

In my experience, the right weight of the rebound spring, is somewhat driven by the smoothness of the action I'm starting with.
Consequently, I'll go with 14-15# springs if they are just to be dumped in with no other work. I'll go with a 12-13# when I polish the internals as the spring is installed.

I almost never lighten the hammer spring on a defensive revolver.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 07-30-2017, 12:44 PM
sdb321 sdb321 is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: LaFontaine In.
Posts: 397
Likes: 5,628
Liked 629 Times in 236 Posts
Default

I had a master gun smith do a action job on all three of "our" smiths. He doesn't change the springs. The two "J" frames are 10 pound pulls and the SSR is 9 pounds 13 ounces DA. He recommends Federal ammo / Federal primers in his "tuned" revolvers.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-30-2017, 01:10 PM
Deltam Deltam is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdb321 View Post
I had a master gun smith do a action job on all three of "our" smiths. He doesn't change the springs. The two "J" frames are 10 pound pulls and the SSR is 9 pounds 13 ounces DA. He recommends Federal ammo / Federal primers in his "tuned" revolvers.
Since I reload, I've found Federal to have the softest, most likely to shoot primers. If I can get them at the same price as others I use them. I bought 10k each small pistol and small rifle, 5k large pistol and 5k large rifle primers during the great reloading component shortage a few years ago. These were CCI. It will take me a while to work through these.

Last edited by Deltam; 07-30-2017 at 01:13 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 07-30-2017, 01:47 PM
Bill In Texas Bill In Texas is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Home is Texas.
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 3,402
Liked 1,402 Times in 843 Posts
Default

I've not tried the Wolff springs in my j frames. I have used them in my shotgun with success.

Two of my "j's" have the Apex spring kits in them and I'm very happy with the results. DA pull is in the 8 lb range and smooth. The SA in both is light, 3lbs in my Model 60 and 1.5lbs in my 637, probably because some polishing was done, ( I didn't install the kit in this one). I did bob the hammer spur on the 637 so it would be more difficult to fire SA.

I've never had a FTF with factory ammo in either gun.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 07-30-2017, 03:36 PM
mgriffin's Avatar
mgriffin mgriffin is offline
Member
Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J Best weight for rebound spring for a J  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: West of St. Louis MO.
Posts: 527
Likes: 2,620
Liked 470 Times in 199 Posts
Default

I have a 442. I'm using a #11 lb. rebound spring and 9Lb. hammer spring. I had a 8lb. hammer spring in it but had a few light strikes so went to the 9lb. My light strikes were with Herter and Fiocchi ammo. Federal/American eagle is fine. Also my carry ammo, Gold Dot 135 gr. +p had no light strikes.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
317, 340pd, 642, centennial, commercial, j frame, primer, smith-wessonforum.com, umc

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What weight Wolff rebound spring? Cariboo Canuck S&W-Smithing 10 03-26-2017 11:34 AM
Lightest reliable rebound spring weight K/L/N frames? Lou_NC S&W-Smithing 25 02-15-2016 03:02 PM
"Tuned Action"? What's the weight of the Wolff rebound spring? serger S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 3 02-27-2015 11:21 PM
Rebound spring weight? Grayfox S&W-Smithing 1 08-05-2014 08:24 AM
Stock Rebound Spring Weight 686-6 Jeepster1 S&W-Smithing 2 11-23-2011 09:56 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:39 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)