S & W 3"J FRAME QUESTIONS

[seabreeze133]

Gentlemen

Need some help w/my 3" firing pin on hammer 38 sp revolver. Serial # 57xxx.

What would be the approximate mfg date?

It is my carry revolver as it is easily concealable, very tight, 90% bluing and I like it. Am developing a load w/ a Lee 158 gr FP boolit w/a WIDE meplat that will cast about 200 gr w/my alloy. As it is intended as a short range defensive pc am looking at about 700 or so fps absolute max.

Trigger pull is relatively smooth but dbl action is extremely heavy and affects my POI. Is there a way to lighten the trigger pull? Do not need a light target trigger.

Thanks

Don

 

[colt_saa]

Don,
That little guy is probably from 1955

200 grain @ 700 FPS from a 3" J-frame? That is going to have a generous amount of perceived recoil

If you have an alloy that will cast a projectile that weighs 158 with #2 alloy at 200 grains instead, I have to presume it is not lead that you are using.

As to the trigger, if this is a personal defense J-frame I would leave it heavy.

If this is a range/plinking firearm and you are comfortable working on your own firearm, replacement springs can be acquired from a variety of sources.

 

[seabreeze133]

Thanks for the reply.

My alloy is for this boolit is 4 PB and 1 WW. Close to 200 gr.

My current carry is 130 gr +P hp and the recoil is manageable but don't shoot it much as do not want to shoot the gun loose. Practice load is 3 gr BE w/122 gr spire point Lyman 9 mm boolit sized 358.

The intent is to use the 200 gr for carry. Not tried it yet and may need to lower my expectations for velocity some ).

Don

 

[colt_saa]

I can not see how 3PB:1WW can be 1/3 heavier than the #2 alloy that Lee used for that mold weight. Have you already cast and weighed these?

A slow heavy projectile will recoil harder (and for longer duration) than a lighter fast projectile.

I just do not think you have enough barrel to accelerate that heavy of a projectile to where you want it and still have reasonable recoil in a 22 ounce revolver

 

[redlevel]

You can significantly lighten the trigger pull by replacing the factory trigger return spring with one from Wolff. I put a 13 lb spring in my daughter's 442. The Wolff rebound, or return spring is significantly less powerful than the factory spring. I tested it extensively by dry-firing, and was never able to "outrun" the trigger return. The hammer spring is only slightly less powerful than the factory spring. We shot a couple hundred rounds of my reloads and factory ammo in it and had good ignition. We called it good to go, and she is pleased with the difference.

That said, I have never changed the springs on any of my j-frames. They seem to get better with use. Lots of dry firing, and lots of range firing. Another thing, I have a Model 63, the .22 version of the j-frame. Thousands of rounds through it seemed to greatly improve my trigger control with all my j-frames.

I have a couple of 3" j-frames, a Model 36 and a 37 Airweight. They are a couple of my favorites. I carry Golden Sabres in the 37, but I carry Buffalo Bore Heavy plus p 158 grain hollow points in the steel framed gun. According to BB's published figures, they are close to1100 fps in the 3" barrel.

 

[Parker357]

Thanks for the reply.

My alloy is for this boolit is 4 PB and 1 WW. Close to 200 gr.

My current carry is 130 gr +P hp and the recoil is manageable but don't shoot it much as do not want to shoot the gun loose. Practice load is 3 gr BE w/122 gr spire point Lyman 9 mm boolit sized 358.

The intent is to use the 200 gr for carry. Not tried it yet and may need to lower my expectations for velocity some ).

Don

Last thing I ever want to do is offend someone on this sight but, "Boolit," is actually spelled BULLET. You had me confused for a moment wondering what you were talking about. Sorry no intent of embarassing someone.

 

[STCM(SW)]

"Last thing I ever want to do is offend someone on this sight but, "Boolit," is actually spelled BULLET. You had me confused for a moment wondering what you were talking about. Sorry no intent of embarassing someone.
Reply With Quote

This is common way of spelling "bullet" used by reloaders.

 

[hotrod150]

I don't know who came up with that "boolit" business or how it caught on, but (no offense) it looks stupid and has always bugged me.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

HAHA!! So funny. I have to chime in on the "boolit" thing. I have seen it more than a few times and it has ALWAYS been in the context of a joke, especially around the Internet "campfire" of cowboy action shooters. I never thought anyone took it seriously until now. I'll remember to not spell the word incorrectly unless I put it in quotes and attach a smiley.....

***GRJ***

 

[seabreeze133]

Cast bullet forum spells it boolit and I suppose I had a brain f....No offense taken. ) BTW if u cast, that is an excellent forum.

Don

Last thing I ever want to do is offend someone on this sight but, "Boolit," is actually spelled BULLET. You had me confused for a moment wondering what you were talking about. Sorry no intent of embarassing someone.