Hi, I just joined up, been a wheel gun lover since a child. I recently ventures into the realm of internal lock models with a new Model 69. I just ordered an APEX firing pin kit, and Wilson Combat spring kit and now I need to banish the stupid lock to where it belongs. Who has the best plug kit? I was told someone here makes them but my search abilities must suck as I didn't see anything recent.

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I just tried to put the Wilson spring kit in my 69. I hope you have better luck with your spring kit. I'm sending my Wilson spring kit back. The mainspring was too short. The flat spring would not reach the recess in the bottom of the grip frame.

Welcome from North Dakota. Others will be along to help you

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John

That's concerning. I'll update when it comes in. I was hoping APEX had a whole kit but i didn't see one if they did. Any good alternatives if there's fitment issues? My single action trigger is nice but the double is pretty heavy for my taste

I have installed the Wilson Spring Kit in both a NM 66, and NM 69. The internal part where the top of the main spring attaches is on a pivot, and that part should pivot downwards so the bottom of the new main spring fits into the bottom grip frame groove just fine.

The hardest part of this surgery is taking care in removing the sideplate screws. Masking tape is your friend, I always tape around mine so I don't accidentally scratch anything up. It's a special kind of sickening feeling to put a screwdriver scratch in a brand-new gun.

Oh, to the OP, regarding the internal lock... I removed mine from my NM 66, and ended up re-installing it. Yes, you can plug the hole, but the plug finish probably won't match the factory bead blast, and removing the internal lock flag leaves a mildly unsightly empty space by the hammer when you look at it from the top down. I understand that feelings run deep on this subject, but I've never had a lock accidentally engage when shooting a wide variety of warm and hot ammo.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check that before sending the kit back.

Yeah, it's easy to get that "pivot part" in wrong.

Can you better define "nice"? The single action pull on my new model 69 burried my trigger pull gauge. The gauge maxes out at 72 ounces. I installed a Wolff 11 pound rebound slide spring, polished the rebound slide, and now the trigger pull is 48 ounces, which is heavier than I'd like, but perhaps will lighten with more use.
As for the lock, I see no reason to remove mine. I also have a 329PD that has the lock and thousands of rounds have been fired with nary a lock problem.

You are wanting a single action trigger lighter than three pounds?

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Centennial Every Day

Just be advised that if you ever intend to use this gun in any competition, most all disciplines rules state; "all safety mechanisms must be intact and working".

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

FWIW, I've found the triggers on the new 2.75" models to be more pleasant than the 4.25" versions out of the box. Not really sure why this is the case, but that's been my experience/impression. Both model lengths improved a lot with the Wilson Combat spring kit, but the 4.25" model felt like a different gun after the spring kit installation. I went with the 13# trigger return spring each time, and have so far been really pleased with the results.

Wood_Duck,

I have replaced the IL with "The PLUG" on the two Night Guards I own and the finish matches quite nicely.

I do this as a kind of protest to S&W coming up with the stupid IL in the first place. The lawyers and safety Nazis may like it but I don't have to. (smile)

The e-mail address for the maker of The PLUG is:

[email protected]

Nice guy and he sent my two plugs promptly with no hassles.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Like the black hex-key looking hole matches the SS bead blast???

I get it. I'm probably going to buy my first ever I-L Smith sometime this week.I will probably leave the lock installed... Probably, since it's just going to be a woods walking, hunting and range gun. For CHL or a LEO application though, I'm still not sure I'd trust the lock.

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Veteran, Former LEO, NRA Lifer

Ah... yes!

Here is what my first I-L Smith looks like now with The Plug in...

I could probably get it to match a little better, but I don't really spend that much time looking at it.

Doing the paperwork, the staff at the shop must have locked and unlocked the gun a dozen times or more. It wound up locking up on me at the range once on the first visit, and just kept getting worse. S&W could probably fix it well, I just didn't want something that susceptible to braking in the gun.

ps. I don't measure triggers out of the box (I'm always disappointed), but after cleaning and a couple hundred rounds, it seems to be holding at 4 lbs 2 oz. But it is crisp.

I do not even notice the lock.

Me either and after a thousand rounds or so the trigger pull is just fine with me and I have spent 0 dollars on aftermarket parts. Breaks crisply and not heavy at all.

Has the OP fired the gun before attempting the modifications? I always enjoy "clearing the gun's throat" before I come to any conclusions about what requires improvement.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Yea I've been shooting it every chance. Part of it may be all my other smiths have trigger work so it makes this one seem that much worse.

YUP, I already have 2/ea 629-3 DX's with 5" bbls and a 629-4 Mtn Gun and a 629-5 4" bbl and all have 30 to 32 ounce triggers done by myself with Wolff springs. I am used to light triggers from my old IHMSA days when I used to compete with 12 ounce triggers on TC's and XP-100's, as well as my Smiths.

I just simply remove the hammer locking flag. Key lock cam portion remains. Free and easy..

As have been stated a couple of thousand times, the lock isn't a safety. It is a security and serves the same purpose as the bicycle lock used by other manufacturers. The plug is a simple solution if the lock bothers you. The narrow slot where the "flag" rides can be remedied by grinding the little stud off the flag that engages the hammer and reinstalling it to fill the slot. Springs are a good way to improve the feel of your trigger pull. In addition to the Wilson springs that you have, Wolff makes excellent springs for your application.

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Hello Wood_Duck. I manufacture a lock plug parts set here in AZ. If you go to the accessories/misc section in the classifieds you will find them there. mine says DIFFERENT STYLE Made in AZ by ORIGINAL PRECISION in the headline. hope this helps.

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R/S
J.D.