Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > S&W-Smithing
o

Notices

S&W-Smithing Maintenance, Repair, and Enhancement of Smith & Wesson and Other Firearms.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-30-2011, 08:08 PM
Wee Hooker Wee Hooker is offline
Member
Trigger Improvement on new SW1911. Done! Trigger Improvement on new SW1911. Done! Trigger Improvement on new SW1911. Done! Trigger Improvement on new SW1911. Done! Trigger Improvement on new SW1911. Done!  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 3,068
Liked 4,294 Times in 1,610 Posts
Default Trigger Improvement on new SW1911. Done!

First, I’m not proposing anybody modify any of their guns (especially carry guns) but figured since triggers are a FAQ, I’d share my experience. That said, here are words on improving the trigger on my latest SW 1911, 299 target model.
When I got the gun, the trigger was about as expected /what I had in my other SW1911’s as far as “pull quality”. About 4# 12 oz and reasonably crisp. What I didn’t like was the free play this trigger had. i.e. It could move the trigger blade in all 3 directions about 0.025”. Not horribly sloppy but distracting and certainly not as precise in fit as my other early production SW1911’s. I had heard about these “loose triggers” on the SW 1911 line but never experienced one until this purchase.
So, here is what I did.
First I I took a pencil and marked where the trigger shoe met/was covered by the frame. Then I took some basic measurements ( with calipers) on for/aft play to ID how much slack I needed to take out.
Next, I disassembled the gun down to it’s minimal basic components and got the trigger out. It was my first time doing this with a 1911 so I was a bit nervous. However with the wonders of the internet and some good advice here, I had the trigger out in short time. From there I used my calipers to check (and record) the rest of the trigger shoe dimensions.
Now it was time to fatten the trigger up in the right places. I roughed up a few spots on the shoe & bow that I wanted to build up with JB Weld. ( Being sure that any areas that got built up, would not be over the pencil/visible line.). A swap of alcohol to clean then a couple of small dabs of mixed JB and the 15 hr cure time wait was on.
See attached pics of JB build-up:


Note it’s in very small quantities and that I extended the triggers top and bottom bearing surfaces for a smooth, distributed contact area.
After letting the trigger set for a day, the fitting started. I simply got out a jewelers file and started filing the JB spots until I had overall and uniform dimensions of 0.015” side to side and 0.025” top to bottom over the bare/raw trigger. For the for/aft play, I filed the JB at the base of the trigger on the bow to about 0.30 over. I took my time and assured things staye square.
File a few swipes, measure, trial fit, repeat. The whole trigger fitting process took maybe 30 min. ( BTW: YES I know I could have just replaced the trigger but I liked the style of this one and wanted to test/practice my fitting skills. New trigger was plan B.)
AS my last improvement, on reassembly, I replaced the sear spring with a Cylinder and Slide spring (CS094)designed to lighten pull.
Results: The trigger now has only the SLIGHTEST play side to side and the slack top-bottom and fore/aft is gone completely. Yet, it’s pull quality is not hampered by the mod at all. Pull is actual down to a equally crisp 3# 9 oz which is a little better than a 25% reduction. I’m very happy with the results . $7 and a hour well spent IMHO.
FWIW, I’ve since installed that same CS Sear spring in two other S&W 1911’s with similar results.
hth somebody
__________________
Dave

Last edited by Wee Hooker; 03-30-2011 at 08:14 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1911, sw1911

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
S&W plans M&P trigger improvement? VictorLouis Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 6 05-13-2015 09:44 AM
trigger improvement Jframe goatkeeper S&W-Smithing 14 12-12-2014 03:32 PM
3rd Gen Trigger Improvement? Trigger Pulls Added 03Fatboy Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 12 09-06-2012 11:42 PM
Model 60 trigger improvement? Triggernosis S&W-Smithing 5 05-18-2010 07:49 AM
4006 trigger improvement croc4 Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 6 08-16-2008 01:52 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 03:44 AM.


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