442 spring kit...on my EDC?

[Oliverstacy]

Just wondering if I should put an Apex kit in my EDC S&W 442?

Love the gun and has been my EDC for the last year and a half. Shoots great for what it's intended for but as many J-Frame owners know the trigger is heavy.

I've heard (also remember them talking about this in the class) you should never alter a SD firearm for legal reasons.

Just wonder what people think on the subject.

Thanks.

 

[S&W45Colt]

I personally like the Wolff spring kits for J frames. They are about 1/4 of the cost or less and do the job just fine.

You can also take a high count piece of sand paper and smooth the rough spots out, oil the gun, snap cap fire it about 1000 times and see major improvement without "changing" anything.

As far as not altering the gun goes, a lot of that depends on the political climate of the area you live in. If I lived in a state that is not gun friendly, I'd go the sand paper route and leave it exactly as it came from the factory.

JMO

 

[snubbyfan]

If you can shoot it well and trust it as your EDC, I'd say leave it alone.
In my case, I have peripheral neuropathy that affects my motor nerves and I had troubles shooting my 442 accurately. I changed the rebound spring with an 11 pound spring from Wolff and the mainspring to an 8 pound also from Wolff. I also smoothed the guts a little with an extra fine Arkansas oil stone. Worked for me.

 

[Old cop]

Personally I don't alter my carry guns beyond the grips. There is a chance, albeit remote, that you could impact reliability as it relates to ignition. My J frames are last ditch save my butt guns and would only be employed if I could not get myself out of the situation any other way. Again, just my humble opinion that carries no more weight than any other here on the Forum.

 

[CoMF]

You'll get convincing arguments from both camps on why it is/isn't worth it. Me personally, I see no harm in it so long as it doesn't make negligent discharges more likely or sacrifice ignition reliability. I also know this goes without saying, but make absolutely sure you test your preferred self defense ammo for reliability should you decide to go ahead and change springs.

FWIW, I actually use an extra power Wolff mainspring in my M36 as a replacement for the original "Bubba'd" one from the previous owner because I got tired of misfires with Speer Lawman practice ammo. The trigger return spring, AFAIK, is box stock. It resulted in a slightly heavy but smooth DA pull that hasn't negatively affected my accuracy.

 

[Steve_in_PA]

I put the Apex kit in my off-duty BUG 642. No issues, fires every round.

 

[The Big D]

I trust the folks who manufacture guns to know what they're doing in lieu of subbing my handiwork on such important tools.

Be safe.

 

[16thVACav]

I've installed Apex kits in two J-frames. Both are completely reliable.

 

[SabouGolden]

In the moment of crisis (God forbid)... i don't think you'll be able to tell the difference between... 1 or 2 lbs. Also, if LE or lawyers determine that your EDC was altered in that manner... the prosecutor will tell everyone that "you" did that for one reason... and paint you in the wrong way...

I'd say leave it alone!

 

[fungunnin]

I have a Wilson spring kit in my 642 and highly recommend it. While you may not notice it in the heat of the monument you absolutely notice it at the range. If you gun is more we enjoyable to shoot you will practice more. If you practice more .... Well you know that practice is important.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

 

[Waywatcher]

Reduced power springs do a couple things:

The Rebound spring...
lessens trigger pull and makes trigger reset weaker.
The Mainspring...
lessens trigger pull, decreases firing pin force, and increases lock time.

For these reasons, I roll with factory springs. The original spring weights were carefully chosen by engineers to offer the best functionality in a given role.

 

[Oliverstacy]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I think I'm going to try the kit and see how it works and then decide whether to keep it or change it back.

I have a Shield 9mm that I want to start using as my EDC so it might stay converted.

I agree with everyone that states in the time it would be needed I wouldn't notice the difference. That part of the trigger weight never bothered me.

I'm going to try it out today and see what I think.

Will report my findings.

Thanks!

 

[kozmic]

I have a lot of long pull, DA guns (incl a 442). I've very used to the action and trigger weight therefore, I see no reason to alter them if they are working properly and consistently. I mostly like the safety of the factory pull when carried. I may sand and polish a bit, but that's about it.

I recently took a class given by several of our County Deputies. I specifically asked him that question. He said they will take your gun in the event of a shooting and may test for ballistics if needed, but they aren't likely to check for a modified trigger, etc. That's here anyway and FYI.

 

[msnden]

I have a lot of long pull, DA guns (incl a 442). I've very used to the action and trigger weight therefore, I see no reason to alter them if they are working properly and consistently. I mostly like the safety of the factory pull when carried. I may sand and polish a bit, but that's about it.

I recently took a class given by several of our County Deputies. I specifically asked him that question. He said they will take your gun in the event of a shooting and may test for ballistics if needed, but they aren't likely to check for a modified trigger, etc. That's here anyway and FYI.

The county Deputies may well be correct in that They might not check for a modified trigger, but I can assure you, (esp in a wrongfull death case) a good attorney will. jmop

 

[walkin' trails]

Consider having the action's mating surfaces polished before lightening the trigger by changing springs.

 

[jack the toad]

If you can shoot it well and trust it as your EDC, I'd say leave it alone.

+1
Personally, I carry a 642 quite often and both the rebound and main springs have been swapped for Brownells (Wolf) reduced versions with never a FTF.
Here in Okla, I don't have any legal concerns about altering as long as I am justified in using it in the event of...
Same applies to my 1911.

 

[TJ1225]

I would not alter my EDC, dry fire and shoot it a lot, the action will become smoother. I am more concerned with reliability than the legal fallout, but that is also a possibility.

 

[Oliverstacy]

I decided not to alter at this time. I can shoot it well at the distance it was intended for and it is very dependable.

I think if I start to carry my Shield as my EDC I might convert it with the kit for some comparison shooting since I have the kit on hand now.

Did put a Apex DCAEC in my FS 9 and wow what a difference.

Thanks again for all the replies!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

All a factory action job is, is replacing the springs. On a standard job they do not tune up any metal parts that are not defective. You can send the gun to S&W or order the springs (The trigger rebound spring is light blue in color). Maintenance of a firearm is never prohibited! I have used spring kits in all my J-frames and did 2 for dad. My brother doesn't know what a good trigger feels like, except for my guns. By the way good lubrication is important also. Ivan