The T's

[flundertaker]

Were any of the T's available from the factory independant of the others? I always see 3T's but do 1T or 2T exist? I am guessing you could get target stocks without the wider target hammer and trigger and some guns were only available with target stocks (versus magna and target) but had narrow hammer and trigger. Was a target trigger or hammer available without the other or with magna stocks? I am speaking specifically about K and N frame guns. Thanks.

 

[rbmac52]

I've seen quite a few 50's revolvers equipped with the target hammer only, with the usual service trigger.

 

[Truckman]

I've seen quite a few 50's revolvers equipped with the target hammer only, with the usual service trigger.

I have at least one of those...Lettered and invoiced that way......Ben

 

[JP@AK]

None of the three combinations is rare or even uncommon. Target triggers didn't even show up until about the mid-1950s, and target hammers appeared shortly before that (about 1950). But even after that you see all combinations. Among the K target models, 2T was very common, since most of them shipped with Magna stocks.

Here is a photo of a few of my K-38s. You will notice all three combinations among them.

 

[flundertaker]

Thank you guys, very interesting. I am curious, outside of special orders, did S&W make certain models certain ways in batches or was there a typical configuration? Did the assemblers just mix and match hammers and triggers when they were putting together a run of them for shipping or was every gun part of a specific order that identified how they were to be configured? Did the distributer have to specify how each gun they ordered was to be set up? If not, how would the factory have configured them?

 

[Hair Trigger]

Thank you guys, very interesting. I am curious, outside of special orders, did S&W make certain models certain ways in batches or was there a typical configuration? Did the assemblers just mix and match hammers and triggers when they were putting together a run of them for shipping or was every gun part of a specific order that identified how they were to be configured? Did the distributer have to specify how each gun they ordered was to be set up? If not, how would the factory have configured them?

According to SCSW, the M27 was standard in 3T from 1975 to 1980 (I have a 1978 example). As to the rest of your question, I don't know for sure but I imagine there were combinations done randomly that went into stock until an order was received for that particular combination. That would serve to make delivery of a particular configuration quicker since the customer wouldn't have to wait for it as a special order. Just a SWAG on my part. This would also help explain a part of why guns were not shipped in serial order and why some guns had immediate shipping after manufacture and others might have months between coming off the line and leaving the factory.

 

[Nightowl]

From my observations and experience, most K frames shipped with the standard grooved .265 trigger and semi target hammer with Magna stocks from about 1950 until at least up into the late 80s. The Model 27s shipped that way as well until September 1975, when the factory changed to shipping them in full target and wood presentation cases. They could be ordered however you wished, however.

 

[Doc44]

Combat Magnums were cataloged with target stocks, standard hammer and trigger. The Highway Patrolman was available with target stocks, standard hammer and trigger for a few dollars more. I have a prototype Model 66 that was shipped with target stocks, standard trigger and target hammer.

Bill

 

[jimmyj]

In the early 1970 era I worked part time at a small gun shop. At the time Smith and Wessons were difficult to find for small dealers. This shop's main S&W Dealer source was "Gil Hebards". S&W Revolvers came with odd accessories. A S&W Model 19 was with magna grips, TH with standard trigger. A Model 10 4" round butt came with magna grips and TT/TS. No rhythm or reason.

 

[SSGRock]

The T's

Smith & Wesson had an assortment of accessories that Gun Shops stocked. You could get Stocks, Triggers, Hammers, White Outline Sights. Was not uncommon for owners to custom revolvers the way they wanted.

 

[StrawHat]

I have several of the various combinations. One Model 1950 Target revolver that came with the standard hammer, standard trigger and Target stocks. Not sure why? The purchaser may have ordered it that way or bought it at the LGS because it was there.

Kevin

 

[sophie]

I have several S&W Model 18's that have original target triggers and hammers but no target stocks. The boxes reflect the target options except for the stocks. In that box is an S, designating square butt magna's

 

[flundertaker]

I have several S&W Model 18's that have original target triggers and hammers but no target stocks. The boxes reflect the target options except for the stocks. In that box is an S, designating square butt magna's

This is the most confusing combination. I don't think there's anyone who would claim the magna stocks are better for target shooting.

 

[sophie]

This is the most confusing combination. I don't think there's anyone who would claim the magna stocks are better for target shooting.

Here's one of my Model 18's with the target trigger and target hammer and no target stocks. The original box reflects the options. As far as the reasoning goes, you got me.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Here's one of my Model 18's with the target trigger and target hammer and no target stocks. The original box reflects the options. As far as the reasoning goes, you got me.

That looks like a smooth trigger and not a ribbed one.

 

[sophie]

This is the most confusing combination. I don't think there's anyone who would claim the magna stocks are better for target shooting.

That looks like a smooth trigger and not a ribbed one.

It is just the angle at which the picture was taken at the time.
Here is a better picture of the same gun laying down on its right side. It is the gun on the left and you can see it is a ribbed .500" target trigger. The Model 18 on the right is an older gun and has the diamond magna stocks and standard trigger.
I just realized this picture I just posted is so big you can't see the ribs in either trigger. Trust me the ribs are there. Just click on the thumbnail and you can see the ribs in the triggers.

Here is a better close up of the trigger, I hope.

 

[rockquarry]

This is the most confusing combination. I don't think there's anyone who would claim the magna stocks are better for target shooting.

I prefer Magnas over target stocks on all S&W revolvers regardless of frame size. I'm used to Magnas; they fit well and work well for my purposes. Almost all of my shooting is Bullseye style, single-action. I have a sack of target stocks. I can't think of any of my S&Ws that are currently equipped with target stocks.

 

[LoadedRound]

I always thought the 3rd "T" was the trigger stop. Having seen M17 s and M18 s described as 3T with magnas. Learn something new everyday

 

[steelslaver]

I hate the wide serrated triggers. I much prefer the smooth one, but for some reason the serrated far out number the smooth.

Do 100 trigger pulls with both. You have some serious calloused on your trigger finger if the serrated one doesn't make it hurt

 

[H Richard]

My recollections are half of the Mod 17's I have had go through my hands had target hammer but standard trigger, mostly magna grips, but a few target grips.