S&W 41 trigger adjustment lever

05medic · #1 10-10-2018, 05:36 PM

I was trying to adjust my trigger pull on the 41. The trigger lever fell out and now I don't know the correct orientation of the lever. One edge is slightly raised the right side in the photo. I don't know if this edge goes toward the front or the back of the gun.

Any help is appreciated. Any thoughts on adjustment would be appreciated. i think someone said he took it out and shoots without it.

Thank you

leinster lad · #2 10-10-2018, 10:14 PM

Check this link,

IF YOU OWN A M41 YOU MIGHT WANT TO SAVE THIS - UPDATED 09/12/17 - PICTURE ENLARGING

or

http://smith-wessonforum.com/redirec...aintenance.htm

That adjustable piece can be moved for and aft. (once the trigger pivot pin has been moved to the side just enough)

The trigger return spring sits on the slightly raised knobby bit of the adjustable bar.

Moving the bar for or aft changes the position at which the spring sits on it.
This effectively changes the fulcrum point of the spring and as such changes the amount of leverage that the arm of the spring has.

The further forward in the frame the adjustment bar, the LONGER the arm of the spring appears, so it has MORE leverage, so LESS effort to move ( trigger lighter)

The further REARWARD in the frame the adjustment bar, the SHORTER the arm of the spring appears, so it has LESS leverage, so MORE effort to move ( trigger heavier)

This effectively increases or decreases the effective power of the spring, making the trigger softer or firmer.

This adjustment is quite subtle, possibly only +/- half a pound.

With the pistol unloaded and un-cocked (hammer down), feel the trigger.
How heavy is it?? not much, right ?
So the difference between this "un-cocked" weight, and the "ready to fire weight cocked" is basically the friction of the hammer/sear.

Trigger weight is a combination of many things.
The biggest contributor is on the hammer/sear interface.

Remember, pulling the trigger is pulling the sear out from under the hammer notch.
So surface finish ( mirror polished ) and lubed will reduce this friction.

Hammer spring tension is also a big one, as it is forcing the hammer notch against the sear.
This is the greatest area of friction that is felt as "trigger pull weight"

BUT, light hammer springs can cause light strikes, so, as with everything in life, it is a compromise.

other areas are trigger bar drag in the frame and mag disconnector and trigger bar return spring weight.

05medic · #3 10-12-2018, 06:37 AM

Leinster Lad
Thanks so much for your reply, advice and explanation. Getting the spring back on the lever was a little tricky. I wouldn’t have tried this if I knew my gunsmith would be out of town 10 days. I have upgraded the triggers my Glock, Springfield, and Ruger IV with the help of videos. Why are there no videos for the complete disassembly of the 41? I’m sure it would be very popular many would watch it just to see how the gun was put together. Again Thanks!

armorer951 · #4 10-12-2018, 07:57 AM

Here's an additional link with photos.....

Model 41 maintenance