Hello Forum

I recently purchased a used S&W M&P R8 357 8 shot revolver with a 5 inch barrel. This is the first R8 I have ever seen up close and have never shot one. This locks up and feels like it will be a shooter. Here are a couple of questions I have about it.

Since it's a large frame S&W will the Wolff Springs trigger spring work in this gun? I slacked off on the spring screw a little to lighten the spring, but I really would like to change it.

There is a "barrel nut" in the end of the barrel. Does this indicate it could have exchangeable barrels or is it only to hold the shroud on? (Yep, I'm a Dan Wesson fan too.)

Thank you for your help.
Steve

Oh, it's going to the range Tuesday with several boxes of ammo...

The strain screw is not designed as a means of adjustment for the mainspring/trigger pull. It is to be screwed in completely. Other posters will handle your other questions. Good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I am not familiar with Wolff springs. But if you are used to using them, you should have no problems.
What I am sure of, is the barrel nut. Do not loosen it. You will be unable to tighten it once its loose. Only a trip back to the factory will tighten it. Correctly.

The R8 is an amazing gun. If I had to choose just one N frame 5" 8 shot. This would be it. It is more accurate than I. Factory rated using 158gr magnums (they said).

Mine is a TRR8. I understand the difference to be the TRR8 has a removable rail under the barrel vs fixed for the R8.

The only drawback I can think of is it costs more to shoot.
1. You want to shoot it more.
2. You don't mind shooting the magnum rounds.

Yes, it absolutely shoots better than me. On the other side, it makes me shoot better than other revolvers do.

The R-8 is an N-frame, Wolff springs should fit fine. I have not handled one personally but as its advertised as a PC gun you may find a ribbed mainspring already installed. Easily checked by removing the grips.

I did the Wolf spring upgrade on my TRR8 and it is noticeably smoother DA. The TRR8 has become one of my favorite shooters.

With Wolff, the rebound springs are interchangeable among S&W frames J-N (I'd imagine their X-frame, too, but don't know for certain).

For the mainspring (which you're calling the "trigger spring" but actually drives the hammer), K-N frames are identical; Js use a different one.

My buddy Kaaskop49 is quite correct -- the strain screw is not for adjusting trigger pull and should be seated fully. Period.

Coastie762, too, is likely correct that as a Performance Center revolver your R8 presumably already has a Wolff mainspring factory installed, assuming the previous owner kept it stock.

Wolff has standard power and reduced power mainsprings; both usually somewhat lighten and smooth double-action pull compared to stock. It's not uncommon for folks choosing the reduced power mainspring to have light strikes and need to be selective about ammo used, tune the revolver some, or move to the standard power mainspring to ensure total reliability, if that's an issue for you.

__________________
Pickpocket

The R8, just like most performance center guns, use ribbed mainsprings. I've never confirmed if they were Wolff springs. I only use Wilson combat springs. It's what I'm used to.
I've had a performance center ribbed mainspring loose tension completely (fail), and not ignite primers at all. Cant remember which model.
I've had the ribbed mainspring on a 686+PC 5" fail to fire CCI primers after 1k rounds from being new.
Ribbed mainsprings are the weakest tension mainspring I know of. The Wilson combat one being second runner up. And the stock mainspring, being the one with the most tension(striking power).
My R8 (had to check my notes this morning) has the ribbed mainspring still, but I replaced the rebound slide spring (12#s). If the ribbed mainspring fails or ever gives me problems, I would replace it with a Wilson one.
I ended up with a 9# DA on my R8. Which is not far from the 8.5#s I 'shoot' for. And only shoot DA with it.

Thanks Lou. I believe it had a Wolff spring in it. I replaced it and it feels the same DA. I will find out today how it feels in action.
Steve

I've heard it's the same spring several times. But since I dont use them, I'm reluctant to pass that type of second hand info.
Maybe one day I'll order a set just to check em out.

Have a good shoot! And tell us how it goes.

I shot the R8 today and found it to be a very good shooting gun. The double action was very smooth and single action was very touchy. It seemed to group better shooting 357 than the same brand 38s, Winchester white box,. If it had been shot before, it was only a few rounds. After 50 rounds it really loosened up and became a good shooter. It will get cleaned and relubed before it's next round at the range.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

All that I can add is happy, safe shooting.

Attached Images

357R8.jpg (79.1 KB, 30 views)

Congrats on the R8 and first range outing! I have really enjoyed my R8 and am amazed how soft a shooter it is despite the lighter weight.

I left the PC mainspring in but put in a Wolff 15lb trigger rebound spring. I have worked the action thousands of times via live and dry fire. The DA is at 8-8.5 pounds and the SA measures 2.5 pounds. It is truly sweet!

I too recommend tightening the strain screw all the way down or you will likely encounter light primer strikes. Mine backed on me at the range once and it was a light strike avalanche. I tightened it down using purple loctite and have not had a problem since.

Enjoy your R8 and be safe!

Groo here
Got one ,Dad [RIP] got his last deer with it.
The gun was designed to shoot 125gr frame cracking flame throwers.
[aka rem express or similar]
Clay birds are fairly easy at 100 yds with red dot and a rest....