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Old 03-21-2012, 01:53 AM
Frank46 Frank46 is offline
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Default Model 15 heavy double action trigger pull

Ok, I have a model 15 that I bought sometime back. The double action trigger pull is very heavy. What spring kit can I buy to lighten up the trigger pull. Any special brand or mfg?. Thanks, Frank
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Old 03-21-2012, 07:40 AM
brucev brucev is offline
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Just a suggestion, but you might want to begin by thoroughly cleaning and lubricating the interior moving parts of the revolver as an accumulation of lint, dirt, etc. could well be causing or contributing to the heavy DA trigger pull. If you determine that everything is correct, then consider having a Wolf spring set installed. At the same time have a gun smith look at and correct any issues such as burrs, sticking parts, etc. HTH. Sincerely. brucev.
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Old 03-22-2012, 02:13 AM
Frank46 Frank46 is offline
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Brucev, Bought it used so Its possible the origional owner never had it cleaned. But it does kook like the sideplate screws have been messed with. Thanks for your suggestion. Frank
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Old 03-22-2012, 05:53 AM
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chief38 chief38 is offline
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Heavy is very subjective. On the Forum "heavy" does not really convey what the trigger pull weight actually is.

I will assume that you have at this time cleaned and properly lubed your revolver, and if you still want to proceed, here is what I would do.......

The two things you can do to reduce the pull weight if it is really heavy is to buy a few extra strain screws and slightly shorten one a little at a time. This will in turn reduce the amount of tension the main spring exerts, thus making the trigger easier to pull. ALWAYS make sure the screw is fully tightened, rather than to just back out the original. The reason I suggest doing this on a new screw is you can always go back to the original if desired, and if you go to far, you can just throw it out and start over. They are inexpensive and sold at Brownell's.

A reduced weight rebound spring is available from Wolf, and I believe S&W still sells them as well. Replace the spring with one of a lighter weight rather than clipping off coils - which is the old time basement Gunsmith method. There is a pack of 5 different weight springs available from Brownell's which includes 11# ,12#, 13#, 14#, 15#. The 13 pound is usually what I like, but you can determine that for yourself. Too light and the trigger will recover sluggishly.

MAKE SURE that the revolver is 100% reliable with ALL different types of ammo before relying on it. Even if you have one light hit and the primer fails to detonate, you have gone too light and more tension is needed.

That's basically it, and please make sure proper screwdrivers (hollow ground bits) are used to avoid bunging up the screws.

Chief38
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Old 03-22-2012, 08:14 AM
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I second replacing the rebound spring with one of the lighter Wollf springs, but, instead of grinding down mainspring tension screws, I suggest installing a Wollf ribbed mainspring, available in either stock or reduced power. They are more progressive in felt trigger pull, and will significantly reduce the apparent weight of the trigger pull, especially the reduced power spring, without increasing the likelihood of light hammer strikes,, as does reducing strain screw tension on a stock main spring.
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Old 03-22-2012, 05:12 PM
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310Pilot:

The advise you gave regarding replacing the main spring is not bad advise, but IMHO not really necessary. Shortening the strain screw essentially accomplishes the same thing in a matter of minutes without changing or altering the original spring. One can always replace the ground down strain screw if they should take too much off. After a while working on Smiths, you know pretty much by feel exactly how much to take off. I have done this procedure more times than I can remember with no ill effects.

Coincidentally, I just recently took out a Wolf main spring from a friends M19 and replaced it with a Factory part. The Wolf spring was not contoured or manufactured correctly and was actually making contact with the grip screw and causing tension to be lost. To me the Factory parts have always been produces to a slightly higher standard and can honestly say that I have NEVER seen a bad S&W spring. I have seen more than one bad after market spring.

Chief38
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Old 03-24-2012, 02:58 AM
Frank46 Frank46 is offline
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I'm going to order the wolf spring kit first and then take it to the gunsmith. Tried feeling how heavy the trigger pull between the model 15 and my model 10. The model 10 had the lighter trigger pull. Think I paid $300 for the model 15, target hammer, target trigger. Wanted a 38 special with adjustable sights. Will have the smith do a disassemble, check and clean and install the new springs. First smith I've had with a trigger pull that bad. Could have been a police officer's duty gun or???. Thanks for your suggestions, they are appreciated. Frank
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Old 03-24-2012, 07:43 AM
brucev brucev is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank46 View Post
I'm going to order the wolf spring kit first and then take it to the gunsmith. Tried feeling how heavy the trigger pull between the model 15 and my model 10. The model 10 had the lighter trigger pull. Think I paid $300 for the model 15, target hammer, target trigger. Wanted a 38 special with adjustable sights. Will have the smith do a disassemble, check and clean and install the new springs. First smith I've had with a trigger pull that bad. Could have been a police officer's duty gun or???. Thanks for your suggestions, they are appreciated. Frank
Just found this post again. A Model 15 with TT, TH for $300 is a real good buy. Earlier this year I found and bought one for $325 with standard hammer/trigger. The DA trigger pull on K-Frame S&W's can and does vary, but generally it is very good. Heavy is of course in the finger and opinion of the shooter. All of the above suggestions are very good. You are on the right track. Changing a spring is a good start. It does nothing that cannot later, if desired, be reversed. It is possible that your 15 spent time in the holster of a LEO as many were used by various agencies. More than likely a good thorough cleaning and replacement of springs will result in a more manageable DA trigger pull. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.
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Old 03-25-2012, 02:37 AM
Frank46 Frank46 is offline
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Thanks to all for the info. Gunsmith will get the job as I'm fairly
good with most things but revolvers deserve special attention. There are a few nicks in the metal but the model 15 is tight with no end play. Like you said it just could be from not being internally cleaned. Again thanks. Frank
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gunsmith, k-frame, m19, model 10, model 15, model 19, primer, ribbed, sideplate, smith & wesson, smith and wesson

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