325 NG

[Dave T]

Just received a 325 NG from a deal on GB and I must say, although it is otherwise very clean - almost brand new condition - the DA trigger pull is just awful. The trigger is not only heavy but it stacks like the old Colt DAs used to. My index finger isn't strong enough to control that thing to a clean break, and I've been shooting DA revolvers since 1973.

A new rebound slide spring and a reduced power main spring should improve the weight but I'm kind of worried about the hump at the end of the trigger pull. Guess with CNC doing all the work hand fitting of trigger components is no longer part of S&W's new gun set up.

Dave

 

[muddocktor]

I don't know about that, Dave. I have 2 of the newer S&W revolvers in the house and both have good double action triggers and the single action triggers are as nice as my older N frames. One is a J frame and the other is an N frame. I did change out the rebound slide springs on both for lighter ones though. And on the J frame, I found that the MIM rebound slide had a sharp edge that was cutting into the frame and making for a harder trigger pull too. I simply stoned the edge off the rebound slide with a very fine finish stone and that problem went away.

 

[Dave T]

This is the second Night Guard I've purchased recently (the other one is an L-frame) and both have bloody awful DA trigger pulls, which is what prompted this thread. Maybe I just got un-lucky.

Dave

 

[muddocktor]

Now, both of mine are regular stainless steel frames. Maybe that has something to do with it? Neither of them show any stacking in double action.

 

[regalsc]

I have noticed that the actions can vary in both DA & when using SA mode from gun to gun. I have a 325sc made in 2004 that has the smoothest & lightest pull in DA of all my revolvers. The SA mode is also very light & crisp as is the SA pull on my 686 no-dash. My 625-2 1988 model has a smooth but heavy DA but light SA. A while back I had a 329 ng that had a smooth but a little heavy DA but light SA. I have never had action jobs on any of my revolvers so I can't speak to any difference they make.

 

[Neely52]

My ng has a fantastic trigger. I can do a very fast 6 round ammo dump on target.
Maybe I just got lucky.

 

[rickjones]

If we are being completely honest the da pull on most revolvers is tough to master!! I have a several s$w revolvers (325ng, 325tr, 627udr, 327 trr8) and in reality they are superb guns if you take the time to practice in all double action. I have been wheel gunning for 20 plus years and can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that practice makes perfect and there are no exceptions. If you go to the range at least once a month and fire 200-300 rounds double action and practice draw acquire and fire you will be proficient. If you buy a bunch of wheelguns and shoot single action at the range every six months you will most likely not prevail. I can do amazing things with my 627 and 327 double action and carry them on duty (plain clothes narcotics) every day. Practice up and be patient, I promise that the trigger on every s&w is combat worthy. Stage that trigger and work up from there, you will love how easy these revolvers are to conceal and feel very safe when carrying one! Good luck -Rick-

 

[Dave T]

If we are being completely honest the da pull on most revolvers is tough to master!! I have a several s$w revolvers (325ng, 325tr, 627udr, 327 trr8) and in reality they are superb guns if you take the time to practice in all double action. I have been wheel gunning for 20 plus years and can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that practice makes perfect and there are no exceptions. If you go to the range at least once a month and fire 200-300 rounds double action and practice draw acquire and fire you will be proficient. If you buy a bunch of wheelguns and shoot single action at the range every six months you will most likely not prevail. I can do amazing things with my 627 and 327 double action and carry them on duty (plain clothes narcotics) every day. Practice up and be patient, I promise that the trigger on every s&w is combat worthy. Stage that trigger and work up from there, you will love how easy these revolvers are to conceal and feel very safe when carrying one! Good luck -Rick-

Guess you missed the part of my OP about shooting DA revolvers since 1973. Thanks for the lecture on a subject I've known about for longer than your "20 plus years". By the way, all of the top DA revolver shooters I've known (most in law enforcement) advocate pulling the trigger straight through rather than staging. Those who have been in "combat" say a straight through pull is more instinctive and natural under the stress of being shot at.

Dave

 

[thomasinaz]

Dave, sorry to hear of the bad triggers you got on both your Nightguards. Have they been shot much before you got them? Some of the lightweight revolvers I've bought have needed to be dry fired, and shot, double action several hundred times to smooth out. A 329 I bought new had a terrible hitch in two of the cylinders. After a few hundred double action dry firing cycles and about 100 rounds, it went away and turned out to be a pretty good DA trigger.

I've shot with Dave before and he can make a double action work. I doubt the problem is with his trigger finger...

 

[themightyhawk]

I have the 310 nightguard, in 10MM/.40 S&W. trigger is decent, but not worthy of bragging rights.

 

[Smithbrother]

Trigger issues

Dave, I bought a 325 NG in 2008. It had a great trigger right out of the box but had an indexing issue that made it spit back at the shooter. S&W took it back gave it a forcing cone and it was fixed. I have found though that my 60-15, 66-8, and 69 all have very different triggers. I believe this is probably a manufacturing issue, might be the individual gunsmith fitters at S&W not all being experienced. I'm not sure to what degree S&W firearms are still hand fitted but I believe that may be the crux of the issue we're experiencing. Hand fitting may be a lost art, or it may not be cost effective for a manufacturer to employ. This should open a hand fitting after market opportunity for gunsmiths and armorers.

 

[Dave T]

I've ordered a "Plug" to install in my 325 and I'm waiting for it to get here before I pull the side plate and put in the reduced power Main and Re-bound Slide springs. My aging, arthritic fingers don't want to mess with it twice if I don't have to (LOL).

When I do get the new springs installed I'll report back on how much, if any, they improve the trigger pull.

Dave