measuring DA trigger pull?

Lou_NC · Mar 27, 2014

What do you folks use to measure DA trigger pull? My goal is to measure "before" and "after" I perform some internal polishing and lubrication of DA revolver actions, and perhaps some spring tuning. (I have the Kuhnhausen manual and plan to follow it, as well as other reliable sources of advice).

I have a Lyman digital trigger pull scale, but it cautions against use in excess of 12lbs. or it will permanently damage the tool.

I have a few unmodified S&W DA revolvers that may currently exceed this reading, and I don't want to damage the scale.

So, what do I use? I've actually thought about buying a fishing scale for this purpose, but I'd like to hear what others are using.

And before you advise me that I don't "really" need a scale, thanks but I already KNOW that!

I would simply find it interesting to keep track of the actual DA trigger weights as I make progress on the polishing and lubing.

Thanks,
Lou

OKFC05 · Mar 27, 2014

RCBS 87306 - MILITARY TRIGGER PULL SCALE
Measures up to 25#

tomcatt51 · Mar 27, 2014

Past 12 lbs, common on S&W DA pulls, is kinda in my "I don't even wanna know" range.

tlay · Mar 27, 2014

I agree with the above post. When you check the pull you need to mount your revolver in a vise or something solid so it doesn't move. Put the lever as far down on the trigger as possible. This will give you the true poundage. You will find most guns run about 12 lbs. or so. It is possible to get it down to 8lbs without getting weak primer strikes. I take everything out and polish the inside of the gun. Then I polish every part I put back in.

Bearbait in NM · Mar 27, 2014

Lou,

I am going through the same process, and have a Lyman. I guess I missed the instruction part of over 12 wrecking mine. I certainly had more than 12 a few times back when I started. I am amazed by the number of folks who do this without a gauge. I am with you, use the gauge to track progress and check over time.

If you really want to not go over 12 when checking stock, I would mount the gun in a vice as noted above, and back your strain screw out a turn or so. Check it, and continue to turn the screw in until the it either bottoms out, or you hit say 11.5 or so. It seems that knowing how much over 12 is not really critical. If you hit 11.5 or so, and the screw is not yet tight, do your things to the gun.

Thanks for the heads up about the possible damage if over 12. I'll try and avoid that in the future. And I did read the instructions ...missed that.

Craig

Lou_NC · Mar 27, 2014

Craig,
Thanks for the strain screw idea, that's brilliant! I will definitely try it.

I'm pretty certain that the "12lb warning" was in the form of a sticker attached to the Lyman scale somewhere. (I'll double check when I get home tonight). So, you may not have missed it in the instructions.

Who knows, for all I know, Lyman may have changed the design of the gauge over time, and depending on how old yours is vs. mine (about a year or so) yours may not even have a restriction like that.

Lou

tomcatt51 · Mar 27, 2014

The Lyman digital gauge won't read past 12 lbs. It stops at 12 and says "OVER" if you pull harder any harder. Just use a little common sense when it hits 12 and stop.

TucsonMTB · Mar 27, 2014

Brownells offers an "OFFICIAL 4-3/4 lb. TRIGGER WEIGHT SET" that I presume is used to qualify triggers for competition.

I didn't buy one. Instead I made a poor man's version.

It is pretty easy to bend an old wire coat hanger to a similar shape and hang your own weights on it see how much weight it takes to pull the trigger.

Varying the amount of water in a gallon water jug or two attached to the coat hanger with nylon twine worked well enough in place of the weights.

The water filled jugs were weighed with a cheap digital hanging scale that I already owned.

It took two jugs to measure the pull before replacing springs and polishing the usual parts. Afterwards, one slightly overfilled jug was sufficient.

Hope this helps.

measuring DA trigger pull?

Lou_NC

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OKFC05

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tomcatt51

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tlay

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Bearbait in NM

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Lou_NC

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tomcatt51

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TucsonMTB

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