SW-nation,

An LGS near me is having a SW Day and is offering a free "master revolver action package" (onsite) by a SW gunsmith with the purchase of a new revolver. I'm thinking of picking up a new 686. My question is what exactly goes into the acation package and how long does it typically take to complete?

Thanks all!

Read the details on the smith site but they slick up the action real nice.

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Some assembly required..

Master Revolver Action Package ($165)

• Trigger Stop
• Chamfer Charge Holes
• Polish Rebound Spring, Hammer Stud and Yoke Barrel Bosses
• Detail Lockwork Surfaces
• Stone Hammer and Trigger Contact Areas
• Test Fire for Function

About one year ago, I had one done on my model 25-5 in conjunction with a cylinder replacement. It took about three weeks out and back.
The work (besides the new cylinder) was:
1. Trigger Stop
This was a roll pin drilled into the back of my nice case color target trigger. It was ground off on an angle such that it met the frame at a point, and was not deburred, had grinding flash still on it. I thought it would be an internal stop, which the gun already had. They took the internal stop out and returned it to me.

2. Chamfer Charge Holes - OK

3. Polish Rebound Spring, Hammer Stud and Yoke Barrel Bosses - OK

4. Detail Lockwork Surfaces. The polish looked like it was done by just jamming the entire inside-the-frame part of the hammer and trigger into a buffing wheel rather than detail contact areas like the raised pin bosses. All the case color was gone, and pin bosses could no longer be seen as separate surfaces from the body of hammer & trigger. The hammer now has side play in the frame and rubs on one side. No shims were installed to center the hammer.
The machine marks on the frame where the rebound slide moves were untouched.

5. Stone Hammer and Trigger Contact Areas. When I sent it, the gun had the usual wonderfully crisp S&W break from the factory. Because of the apparent jamming of the hammer & trigger in the buffing wheel, I can't tell if they overstoned the single action sear or buffed off the crisp edge. It now has very unsatisfactory creep in the single action trigger pull.

6. Test Fire for Function - I can tell this was done because the clean gun I sent Smith came back covered with fingerprints and powder residue.

In the process of doing all this, they scratched the side plate with a screwdriver slip next to the screw at the cylinder and rolled up the edge of the side plate near the hammer.

I realize now the 'Master Action Job' is primarily for double action use of the revolver (my bad), and a "Master" did not work on my gun (their bad).

The only good thing I can report is that the double action pull, though heavy, is very smooth and the cylinder locks up nicely very early in the trigger stroke.

I had heard so many good reports here about the Performance Center work, that I had high hopes for being delighted.
I'm really, really disappointed.

Before you all jump on me for not going to right back to Smith, health issues commencing just a couple days after the gun was returned to me, and continuing over the past year, have not allowed me to test fire the gun, and I would not feel right going back to Smith not having done at least that.

About four or five years ago I sent M64-3 in for a complete overhaul and the Master action package. The gun came back like new along with a bag full of old parts and springs. I'm sure it was done by one of the old school gunsmiths as small touches of "pride in work" were done to the gun. The top rib on the barrel had some shiny spots from holster wear and was refinished dull. Also the trigger which was originally ribbed was replaced with a current, smooth combat style. He's probably retired now. Whoever the tech was, he did a fantastic job and the action is like absolute butter. It is so nice that I only shoot it double action. I decided to swap out the original hammer double action sear onto a Factory bobbed hammer and have never looked back.
Klyde

In my mind, neither the Performance Center or their action jobs amount to much. I have been building my own S&W revos for around 40 years and I can WAY outdo their work. Not that I'm so great, I know other gunsmiths who can do the same level of work that I do. For action jobs, there are better options than the factory (but not for free).

Post No. 4 just made me cringe. Horrible example of "Friday Afternoon" gunsmithing. Anything to get it out the door. It is too bad that the owner was not in position to just send the handgun back and demand a replacement. Yes, I feel that strongly about it.

To give my answer to the OP: IF I had all the replacement parts that I wanted to use on my workbench, it would take me about an hour to an hour and a half to complete that simple "Master Action Job". And that is taking my time making sure that I don't bugger any screw head or put scratches on the exterior of the handgun. And that would also include a cleaning and lube job. ..........

My M64 was worked on in the Performance Center last year. I had them remove the old 4-in barrel and install a new 3-in barrel which I provided. The work was spotless - no added marks or scratches. The B/C gap was set uber-tight and lockup was just as tight as when I sent it in. Their statement of work did not mention it - but I'm convinced they also blasted the top of the frame because it now looks like new ...

Understand this isn't really on-topic - but I was/am very happy with their work for $90 + shipping...

Touchy subject. Sounds like a nice offering but it also sounds too much like a 'hurry up job' on something that should be done with pride and patience. A LGS offered something similar a few years ago by S&W, they put one of the 'finished' guns in my hand, unimpressed to say the least.

Personally I would shoot the new gun first and let it set its own wear pattern then knowing how it shoots get it to a competent gunsmith for a proper action job and then you will realize the benefits of the action job. Also you can decide too just how light you might want the action or not. A smooth DA job is a really nice feeling to have in a revolver, a crisp clean SA is rewarding in your shooting.
In my opinion one can never be in a hurry to do a good job, this is a bit of a love of labor job and you don't want it any less than the best it can be!
Karl

The MIM parts are already pretty smooth and the medium stone used on the old cast parts does not help smooth these parts, in my humble opinion. On new MIM part guns, most of the problems come with oversize hands causing interference with the ratchets at the end of the double action pull. If you shoot all single action, this is not as much of a concern. The MIM guns I have worked on only need to have a thinner hand to make for a good double action. That is IF, and a big IF, all the ratchets are consistent. If not, then there is more work involved.

I had a Master Action job put on a MIM 627-2 and found the only real thing done to smooth the action was to polish the yoke barrel, or should I say overpolish!

I will not have one done on any of my guns.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102