I have a 642 with the usual stiff trigger. I have looked at the videos and need to decide on the Apex Kit, or the spring kits from Wilson or Wolff. The Apex kit comes with a new firing pin and a great video to use to install the replacement springs. The Wilson and Wolff kits are springs only. Any suggestions?

Wilson or Wolff. I went with the Wolff. With Wolff, you can buy a range of springs and tune it to your liking and pull weight you feel comfortable with. I say leave the Hammer spring alone in a defensive gun. Last thing you need is light primer strikes.

I tried 2 of the Apex Kits in 2 different guns, didn't like them in either one due to a sluggish feeling trigger return.

I've installed 5 of the Wilson or Wolff Kits and would recommend either of those over the Apex Kit.

Here's another thread on the topic

Apex J Frame Spring Kit

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Ogy

I know this may sound like a BS story, but SOME of the heaviness of trigger pull on the small J Frames is due to their puny size. When you have the same weight pull on a smaller package it tends to feel heavier EVEN if it is the same. We also tend to hold a J Frame slightly different than a larger frame revolver so finger positioning is also different.

The other thing is that the lighter weight of the smaller hammer needs a bit more force on it to reliably set off the primers. Don't forget, the bigger guns have heavier hammers thus creating more mass.

What ever you do....... DON'T go too far. You NEVER want a FTF when you need it to go BOOM!

Chief38

Leave the mainspring alone, and put a 14 lb return spring in it. A little "smoothing" of a few parts and it is good.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

And on the "bigger guns" we go to great lengths to lighten the hammers if we want a reliable lighter DA pull. Same applies to the J frames. On the MIM no lock centenials I lighten the hammers ~25%. As on the "bigger guns" this will allow a lighter mainspring with reliable ignition.

Not everyone will necessarily agree when it comes to this topic. (Also, the spring companies and vendors are in the business of selling springs. )

When I once tried some of the reduced power rebound slide springs in one of my 642-1's, I soon discovered a couple of things. First, a couple springs in the 3-spring pack of lighter springs I ordered either didn't allow, or didn't consistently allow, the trigger to recover when dry-firing at the bench. (This was after the internal parts had been examined and "de-burred" by an experienced armorer, BTW.) Secondly, even when the heaviest spring of the spring pack allowed for consistent trigger recovery, it wasn't as brisk as it was with the stock spring. After a few months of practice I found I could "outrun" the trigger's recovery when doing some fast shot-strings. Once I replaced the lighter spring (but heavier for the "lighter" range of aftermarket springs) with the stock springs, the trigger recovery was faster than I was demanding of it.

Since I only own and use my J's for dedicated defensive carry weapons, I no longer use lighter rebound slide springs. The springs in my half dozen J's are factory (as are the mainsprings & firing pin springs).

I know a much more experienced revolver armorer and shooter than myself (who formerly enjoyed competition in the PPC days) who uses a reduced power rebound slide spring in one of his carry J's, and he's comfortable with using it that way.

For my own J's, though, I run them with stock springs. (I'll examine them and remove any burrs on parts, though. ) The factory springs are heavy, granted, but they'll also probably better help the gun run under conditions that are "less than optimal" (dirty, fouled, contaminated, etc). That might be handy for a gun used or carried in a defensive role.

There's something to be said for "improving" the shooter before "improving" the gun. (Since improving the shooter doesn't remove metal or spring power from the gun.)

Now, revolvers which aren't used for dedicated defensive roles, but just for sporting, leisure, target or competition may well be something else again ...

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Good post Fastbolt. So far, on the guns I've done I've used the 15 lb. rebound springs on all but one gun, a M642 that got the 14 lb spring and I may swap that out eventually.

I feel that a good, solid, trigger return is very important so when I ordered the Wolff & Wilson Kits I also picked up some 16 lb Wolff Rebound Springs that I've been thinking about going back and putting in. My trigger returns feel pretty good now, but that's under controlled conditions so who's to say how they would perform if I was "freaked out" and pulling the trigger faster than I ever thought possible.

I sure would like to know what weight the Apex Rebound Springs are. I just know they felt lighter, or as light, as the 14 pounders in the two guns I tried them in.

I also know that the trigger pull weight of the gun that had the Apex Kit in it that got the Wolff 8 lb / 14 lb combo went up after installing the Wolff Springs.

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Ogy

I put the Apex kit in my 642 and like the feel. No complaints. No issues with light primer strikes either.

I have three J Frames with the Apex kits in all three and have had no problems so far.

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JR

I use Wolff 8lb. hammer and 13lb rebound springs in my 16 J-Frames, never had a problem, and they are much more pleasurable to shoot.

I just installed the Wolff 8lb/13lb combo in my Wife's 642 today.

Because of arthritis she could barely hold the gun straight while pulling the trigger.

It still isn't light now, but she can manage it better than before.

I'll get it to the range this week and make sure it is still reliable.

I was also looking at the Apex kit but it looks like the Wolff is more suited to my needs. Thanks for the info guys.

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

in my 442 i have the factory springs.
if you are comfortable taking it apart, do some deburr and polish. my 442 was pretty rough inside.
i dont mind a heavy trigger, as long as it's smoooooth.
+1 on wolf springs.
i orderd a three pack of hammer springs 9, 8.5, & 8.
and a 16lb rebound spring for another carry gun, my model 60.
i like them.

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lways room fr jello & a jframe

Has any returned their j frame to s&w?