My 686 is back from Clark Custom

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parabarbarian

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Almost exactly one month ago I sent one of my 686's to Clark Custom for a "Service Action Job" and moon clip conversion. When it left, the gun had a DA trigger pull weight of about 11.5 pounds and a SA weight of about 4.5 pounds. No big deal to a manly man but my wife had trouble with the trigger so I decided to send it out to see if it made that much difference

It came back today and the difference is nothing short of amazing! The DA trigger pull is now about 7.5 pounds and SA weight is about 3.5 pounds. Getting beyond the numbers, the trigger is now astoundingly smooth and both the DA and SA sears break like the proverbial glass. I capped the action job off with a Wolff mainspring and The Plug (thank you Bullseye Smith!) and it is now going to be a long day and a half until I get it the range to see if shoots as well as it feels.

Maybe it is just a little bit of euphoria or the Southern Comfort speaking but this bit of steel truly feels like an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.
 
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A good trigger job can do wonders and make range time more memorable, but are you aware of the reliability issues associated with using Wolff springs? The SS mainspring screws are also a known issue with the springs power rib. I believe the service job means it was kept reliable for primary use, but as long as it's a range/target gun only then reliability must be no big deal for you? You could of left the lock on it.
Post some pics :)
 
I also had the "service action job" and moonclip conversion done to my 686 by Clark Custom several years ago as well as work on several other revolvers. They do great work for a very reasonable price.

I would probably send all my revolvers to Clark if shipping rates were not so high. Have been using S&W for action jobs recently due to the lower shipping costs on their "express" option. Generally a significant improvement; but not as good as Clark's Custom.
 
mtime7 said:
how much did the action job cost???
Click to expand...
The Service Action Job was $95, the Moonclip conversion was $100. Shipping is extra of course.

srgvaz said:
A good trigger job can do wonders and make range time more memorable, but are you aware of the reliability issues associated with using Wolff springs? The SS mainspring screws are also a known issue with the springs power rib. I believe the service job means it was kept reliable for primary use, but as long as it's a range/target gun only then reliability must be no big deal for you? You could of left the lock on it.
Post some pics :)
Click to expand...
I used the "full power" mainspring not a reduced power one. I'm not aware of any reliabiity issues with the full power springs. I didn't originally intend to replace it but I was reading an article by Grant Cunningham on S&W actions and he recommends the Wolff springs.

GrantCunningham.com - S&W revolvers

I didn't replace the rebound slide spring so there was no reduction in trigger pull weight but it feels more consistent start to finish.

cc-686.jpg
 
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The gun still seems to work. I fired 250 rounds of factory and reloads through it with no apparent issues.

Factory = Speer "Cleanfire" 158 gr TMJ +P
Reloads = 6 gr Power Pistol. 158 grain Rainer flat point. Winchester small pistol primers

The following is 49 rounds of factory and 49 rounds of reloads shot from 25 feet. 14 rounds left hand only, 14 rounds right hand only. The rest were two handed alternating left and right hands every reload.

cc-target.jpg
 
what reliability issue

srgvaz,

Your comment regarding Wolff Springs is news to me. Could you point me to the source of your information.
I have competed in USPSA and ICORE matches since the early 90's with Wolff Springs in every gun and have never had one fail nor have I ever heard of a failure from my fellow competitors.
Every revolver smith that I know use them and Smith & Wesson has used them as well. My SSR came equipped with a Wolff mainspring.
I am very curious to hear about the failures and reliability issues you mention.
 
parabarbarian said:
I used the "full power" mainspring not a reduced power one. I'm not aware of any reliabiity issues with the full power springs. I didn't originally intend to replace it but I was reading an article by Grant Cunningham on S&W actions and he recommends the Wolff springs.

GrantCunningham.com - S&W revolvers
Click to expand...

You obviously regret no sending you gun to Grant Cunningham. Have you called Clark Custom to complain why they didn't use a wolff spring in your gun? Allot of people like playing gunsmith and when there gun starts to fail they start asking questions. You did good sending your gun in for the action job, but whatever you do to it after that will not necessarily enhance their job.
 
toasted said:
srgvaz,

Your comment regarding Wolff Springs is news to me. Could you point me to the source of your information.
I have competed in USPSA and ICORE matches since the early 90's with Wolff Springs in every gun and have never had one fail nor have I ever heard of a failure from my fellow competitors.
Every revolver smith that I know use them and Smith & Wesson has used them as well. My SSR came equipped with a Wolff mainspring.
I am very curious to hear about the failures and reliability issues you mention.
Click to expand...


Do you really want to get into specifics? Let's ask S&W why so many 15-22's failed? Or why the new BG is such a success?
If you like the springs then keep using them. Back in the day I had light strikes and a few other failures but all that went away once the original spring was returned. I have also seen the issue with SS screws first hand. AND I have read and commented on the same topic on this board in the past.

IMHO- Wollf springs are AFTERMARKET(.) Have you ever seen AFTERMARKET accessories on cars? I have no argument for your continued support to wollf. Have you called S&W to ask/complain why they don't use wollf springs in all of their guns from the get-go?

If you would like more information do yourself the favor and find it on this forum. And keep in mind the world is allot bigger than all your fellow ICORS and smiths that you know.

and Happy Holidays :)
 
srgvaz, you need to lighten up...why so confrontational? This started as a good thread by someone excited about having their revolver improved. Obviously, it does not meet your "standards"...but, then, it isn't your revolver, now is it?

Regards,
Ron
 
Are the shooting irons with the Clarke service action jobs still reliable with pretty much any ammo, or do you have to make sure the ammo has a particular primer?
 
I bought a set of Wolfe springs once and found the strain screw went into the groove and did not work well. I went back to the original springs and have stayed with the original springs since then. I have some of their PC guns that had Wolfe style springs in them. I bought them used, so do not know if they had been installed by the previous owner. They seem to lighten the action, but that is not always better if it becomes unreliable. I found that I shoot better with a firm action rather than a real light one anyway.
 
RonC said:
srgvaz, you need to lighten up...why so confrontational? This started as a good thread by someone excited about having their revolver improved. Obviously, it does not meet your "standards"...but, then, it isn't your revolver, now is it?

Regards,
Ron
Click to expand...


I was stating opinion/fact/experience didn't intend to sound sharp. I posted about wolff springs! Whats your post about? (confrontational?) "now is it"? Do you know the meaning of confrontational? (read your own post)

--happy holidays--
 
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