Came in yesterdays post and did the install. Used the Apex firing pin and spring and mainspring. Polished the rebound slide but with the Apex spring the trigger did not always reset so I used the S&W stock rebound spring. SA pull was lightened slightly for a very crisp and clean let off. The DA pull is lighter, cleaner and very smooth. I'd call it a real improvement over a nice factory pull. Just got back from a indoor range session using 100 rounds of my reloads(Hornady 140gr XTP and Ranier 158gr plated flat pont bullets with 4.5grs of Winchester 231 powder.) My 638-3 J Frame shot exceptionaly well at 7 yards. Very easy to keep them in the Q on my qualification target working DA. I do believe I'm going to like my new pocket pal!
Apex J Frame Spring Kit
- Thread starter Eric375
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ogilvyspecial
Member
I had installed two of the Apex Kits in J Frames but felt the Trigger return was sluggish so pulled the Apex Springs (main & rebound's) & have used either Wolff or Wilson Kits with excellent results.
So far, depending on the gun's action, I've used either a 14 or 15-lb rebound spring with a reduced weight 8-lb mainspring. I'm not through with my J's yet and one of these days I may just come across a gun that I'll be able to use a 13-lb rebound spring on.
Tonight might just be the night.........
Thank's for the information. I was aware of the Wolf springs but had not heard that Wilson was making J frame springs. I went with the Apex as it was the subject of some recent posts and video's. After polishing the rebound slide I was surprised that the Apex rebound spring did not always reset the trigger. With the factory stock spring and the polish and the Apex main spring, I'm pleased with the way my project came out. Concern was if things lightened up abit too much for 100% reliability. It's fine with my reloads using winchester primers but I have not used any factory SD ammo in it yet. Next time to the range I'll try out the winchester, speer and federal loads. It does shoot very nice now in DA mode and a rather quick 5 round dump stays in the center at 7 yards.
ogilvyspecial
Member
You're welcome Eric.
I also decided on the Apex, in part, for the same reason you did, not thinking things through properly. Back then I was a little intimidated by the whole thing, even though I've done lot's of work on Glock's, so the simplicity of the Apex Kit appealed to me. Now that I'm getting up to speed on Revolvers my viewpoint is much different than it was when I ordered the Apex Kits.
After I tried the Apex and didn't like the feel in two guns I tried both the Wilson & Wolff Kits and was able to use the different rebound springs provided in both kits to dial things in for each specific gun. I went with Wilson in one gun & Wolff in the other and they are both about equal based on my experience. I'm up to four gun's done now with more on deck and, so far, I've used the Wolff springs for all except one but will be using the Wilson again in the near future.
Here's why I said I didn't think things through properly.
If I know enough about the workings of a S&W to be swapping out springs then why would I rely on someone, somewhere else, to pick spring weights for a gun that they've never even seen, much less pulled the trigger on?
If I don't know enough about the workings of the action that I need someone else to pick springs for me then maybe I should'nt be messing with the springs in the first place, especially on a self defense gun.
Here's a thread on firing pins, with a little more on springs.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/233879-s-w-j-frame-firing-pins-frame-mounted.html
Thank's for the further information on firing pins and springs. Good to have if I pick up a older J frame and want to smooth up the action. I do like how the action on my current J frame came out. Nice and smooth and so far totaly reliable. Another 100 rounds with no failures and I'll call it good to carry.
photoman
Member
Doesn't surprise me. The Apex rebound spring is too light. I didn't like the "mushy" trigger return so I no longer use them. I've also had some ignition issues with the gun that was running the Apex springs so I restored the factory springs in that gun.
photoman
Member
Being that you reload, try some CCI primers with the Apex kit. I had unreliable ignition with those primers and Bullseye powder in a 442 with the Apex kit. I'm not 100% sure it was the springs but, after replacing the factory springs, the problem went away. Being that I use Speer Gold Dot ammo in the gun, I didn't want to use the Apex springs.
My concern as well. Speer gold dot is on my list to try for carry ammo. If I remember correctly, the CCI primers are just a little harder that the Winchester. I do not know where the Federal primers fall as to hardness. Before I carry I'm planning on giving all three of those a real good test. Any of the three should be GTG but the revolver has to be 100% reliable for me to carry.
tomcatt51
Member
Federal primers are the "softest", most sensitive. They need the least hit to go bang.
Thank's Tomcatt51! Had it on the range today and shot the 125gr and 135gr Speer Gold dot +P, Federal 125gr +P Hydroshok, and the Winchester 130gr PDX-1 +P All rounds were 100% ignition. My gun grouped the Federal's best (2 inches just a smidge to the left of dead center at 7 yards fired SA mode). The Winchester was next best at around 3 inches. Speer 135gr GD at 3 inches and the Speer 125gr GD at about 3 and a half but a bit below the front sight. Rainer 158gr plated truncated nose with 4.3grs of Winchester 231 also shot nice and tight in the center of the target. Very pleased with the J Frame at 100% reliability and with the factory ammo and my handloads. I believe I'll carry it with the Federal or the Winchester +P's. I'll use the practice ammo reloads with the Ranier and the Hornady 140gr XTP with 4.5grs of Winchester 231.
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