If one wanted to lessen the trigger pull weight on a 642...what do I ask for from Wilson?
Thanks.

If one wanted to lessen the trigger pull weight on a 642...what do I ask for from Wilson?
Thanks.

I don't know about Wilson but Wolff has lightened springs although they are not recommended for guns that will be used for duty or defense.

Their website is www.gunsprings.com

You will hear a number of opinions, but because you may be a beginner, I will give you mine, which is probably the safest - get the gun internally cleaned and lubed, or learn how to do it yourself. Do NOT put any weaker springs anyplace. Practice shooting until you shoot well enough and your muscles are stronger.

Did I mention not using weaker springs? The mainspring can be lightened a little if you know how to test it for misfires (kind of like a redneck torque wrench - tighten the bolt until it snaps, then back off a quarter turn).

You may end up sorry if you lighten the rebound slide spring. It slows the trigger return, and, depending on your hand size and personal technique, may contribute to your failure to allow a complete trigger return, resulting in an inability to fire again until you DO allow a complete trigger return. Under defensive conditions, this could conceivably be never.

The factory usually knows best. Things can sometimes be smoothed up or re-lubed, but weaker springs are a target affectation that has no place in an actual weapon.

JMO.

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Formerly Model520Fan

For years and years, S&W used lighter springs in their Double Action handguns. All worked wonderfully. Then the lawyers got involved, and the same company began producing guns with terrible actions. Obviously I don't agree with the prior opinion. If you change springs, take the gun to a range and fire it a bunch of times. Doing that pretty much tells you if its going to be reliable or not.

I don't recommend making the trigger pull lighter by filing or grinding the tension screw, but I know its been done thousands of times with good results.

Yes, you'll hear different opinions on this board. Just because someone recommends or doesn't a procedure doesn't mean its good or bad.

You'll find we have a lot of gun people here. Many of them own and swear by guns with worked actions. That includes trigger pull.

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Dick Burg

There are 2 springs that determine the trigger pull on Smith & Wesson revolvers. The main spring and the rebound slide spring. On your 642 both are coil type springs. The mainspring powers the hammer and the recoil slide spring returns the trigger to battery (the forward position). Lightening the over-all trigger pull weight is best done by replacing both springs. By replacing both springs with slightly lighter ones there is less risk of reducing either spring enough to compromise ignition (hammer strike), or function (trigger return).

In the old days you'd get out the wire cutters and snip one coil off the stock springs. Springs were cheep in them days, and lawsuits unlikely. All well and good for the home gunsmith, until his snot slick lightened action failed to ignite a hard primer. Then, clipping coils didn't seem like such a good idea.

So we don't do that ourselves anymore or recommend you do it either.

Now for the advice from an old guy part of our tale:
(and here I'm assuming you are a regular chap without arthritis or anything)

The best way to lighten (and smooth) a trigger pull is by pulling the trigger. This has 3 desired (and mostly safe) results. The parts wear together fitting themselves, you gain some hand strength, and have the opportunity to train your trigger pull. So save yourself some trouble, use the spring fund to buy ammo, shoot, shoot more, and shoot even more. Over time your trigger will smooth out even get a bit lighter, and you'll be a better and more confident shot. It's all good!

If this lifetime of wisdom isn't enough and you still want to lighten your trigger pull, then consider sending the revolver to a good gunsmith who you can yell at if you get a light primer hit or a sticky trigger return.

/b

Welcome to the forum, mattyd.

Look here for some good info on 442/642 action jobs and springs:

642 info

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*Either step up or step back*

I shoot my Smiths double action about 95% of the time and I have been playing with springs and actions for over 35 years. I used a reducted rebound spring in most of the shooters. I have found that if you work the action over the smoothness of the action will allow for a quicker hammerfall and ease in the trigger returning to the correct position. I used to clip springs before the reduced springs were available and I feel that the reduced springs are much better than clipping the original ones. I have a 686 with over 20,000 rounds through it and it has never misfired.

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John
No good deed goes unpunished