Trigger pull on 642-1

[justicepool]

Hello,

I purchased a 642-1 for my wife to carry. She likes the gun, but the trigger is pretty heavy for her. A friend told me to put some snap caps in there and pull the trigger a couple of thousand times, and that would have the same effect as a basic trigger job.

Is this accurate?

Thanks,

John

 

[WardenRoss]

i'm thinking that she needs to work on her hand strength too.

i've just recently pulled out my 642 and even i need to work on my grip.

and i'm a big boy.

 

[PeterK]

I dont know if it has the exact same effect, but I can tell you form personal experience that it does help. It will also help her get use to the long trigger pull. Have her line the sights up with say a light switch, door knob, or I like to use the nose of the buck I have mounted on the wall and squeeze the trigger without moving the sights. One word of advice on snap caps is I would avoid Carson's snap caps. I had two of the six "primers" back out so the rub on the frame when the gun cycles. I then picked up some A-zooms and they seem to be a lot better. Once she gets used to the long trigger pull, you will be suprised on how accurate that little gun can be!
This will also help on how to grip the gun for control for the master Jerry Miculek. http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/MICULEK2/miculek2.html

Peter

 

[jimmyj]

1. Clip two or two and one half coils off the trigger return spring
2. using a Q-tip wet with gun oil-lub all contact/moving parts.

 

[indiandave]

I dried fired mine a couple of thousand times. Not sure if it broke it in or my finger got stonger. Anyhow it worked.

 

[skeezix]

I did that 2,000 dry-fire procedure with mine. Significantly smoothed-out the pull and seemed to lighten it a little. But it's still a stiff pull.

I didn't use snap caps - just fired cases.

Agree with above post about your wife maybe needing a little hand strength training. Let her do the dry-firing -- a couple hundred at a time while sitting in her easy chair watching TV. It'll get her used to it and give her some strength therapy.

 

[hotrod150]

1. Clip two or two and one half coils off the trigger return spring
2. using a Q-tip wet with gun oil-lub all contact/moving parts.

I'll go along with the lube part, but I don't think it's a great idea to clip the stock rebound spring. Why not just get a wolf or wilson spring-- they only cost about five bucks or so. I like the 13# version.

 

[Ranger514]

Apex Tactical makes a J-Frame Duty/Carry Kit that I just installed in my new 642 Airweight. The trigger pull is now a smooth 9.15 lbs. An unobtrusive way to increase finger and grip strength is to slow squeeze a racquet ball repetetively. Start out low with 10 reps, and work up to sets of 20, 30...etc. I've used this technique I borrowed from another instructor to help women with weaker fingers and hands come to "grips" with smoothly cycling a double action trigger pull.

 

[BJoe]

Probably better off with the proven snap cap treatment rather the 'kitchen gun smithing.'

 

[MichiganScott]

Let her dry fire it a couple thousand times. That way she will smooth out the working parts, build up her hand strength, and practice her sight picture all at the same time.

 

[muskamoot]

Wolff makes a J frame spring kit with an 8lb main and 11-12 lb rebound spring.Those along with a deburr and internal light polish of the moving parts will make a world of difference.

 

[snubbyfan]

With my peripheral neuropathy I had to lighten and smooth the trigger pull on my 442.
Don't clip coils, get a Wolff reduced power rebound spring and do it right.
I have an 8 pound main spring and an 11 pound rebound spring in my 442 along with smoothed innards. It's completely reliable and I can shoot it accurately even though the neurologist says I have profound weakness in my right hand and moderate weakness in my left.
Also lotsa dry fire practice will help to strengthen your trigger finger and help with trigger control.
Adding a Pachmayr Compact grip also helped.

 

[Rifle_rod9]

I had a well known gunsmith do an action job on my 642.
HUGE difference.
Well worth the money for my wife and I.
Gun is much easier to shoot accurately now.

 

[Ranger514]

Probably better off with the proven snap cap treatment rather the 'kitchen gun smithing.'

I would agree that if you're not comfortable doing your own, have a gunsmith do the job. There are plenty of excellent vids that go through the process step by step. As far as "proven" goes, from my reading, the Wolff and Apex springs have been working well for others for quite some time. Some folks aren't going to spend hours dry firing in their home, and the alternative is available.

 

[M3Stuart]

Welcome to the forum! You've come to the right place for all things S&W!

+1 on the dry-firing practice with A-zooms.

I have a new 642-1 pro (cut for moon clips). I thought the trigger pull was fine when new and has since smoothed out. The pull is firm, smooth with a clean break. It's a little stout - not sure what the lb measurement would be - but I think that's good in a carry gun. I carry mine in my front pocket.

IMHO, I would not do a trigger job until AFTER I had worked it considerably with dry and live fire practice. In my case, I'll wait at least a year of regular use before I seriously think about doing a trigger job. Then, I would have a gunsmith do it.

 

[Elliott41]

Factory "trigger action job"

I sent my 642 back to S&W for a "trigger action job". It only cost $80 plus shipping and really improved the trigger pull. Having S&W perform the work preserved the lifetime warranty and prevented any plaintiff's lawyer from saying I had irresponsibly "modified the gun so it had a hair trigger." It was the best $80 I've ever spent.