anyone dislikes the new 686+ DA trigger pull?

[Doc Holliday 1950]

I just bought a 3" 686+ 357 in magnum revolver and found that the DA pull was 11.4 and the SA was 5.5. This was not acceptable to me so I went to my GS & had a trigger job done.
Now my DA is 9.0 & SA is 4.5. Needless to say my accuracy improved greatly in DA mode. Has anyone else found that the new Smith's, especially in 686+, have way to heavy a trigger pull in DA?

 

[UncleEd]

Answers you get here and on The Firing Line
will be both "correct" and "incorrect."

You've already made a decision. Why care
what other shooters' experiences are or were?

You're you and they are they.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

...so I went to my GS & had a trigger job done. Now my DA is 9.0 & SA is 4.5.

Those numbers are what I've typically seen out of the box. Handgunner who like to shoot their revolvers DA usually want it lighter, no matter what caliber. Older models I have aren't substantially better than newer ones.

I prefer shooting SA & the 2.5-3.0# trigger pull I prefer is easily obtained with a rebound spring change only. Tune it for what works for you.

.

 

[rwsmith]

If there is anything a 686 is supposed to have....

....it's a good trigger. Hopefully the newer models still have the potential to have a satisfactory trigger with a good gunsmith doing a trigger job.

I haven't measured the forces on my 686 but to me they aren't excessive (lawyerized) at all, SA is crisp and DA is smooth as silk.

 

[Tom S.]

With the exception of PC guns, I've found the guns today have trigger pull pretty much on par with the guns of old. Keep in mind that doing a action job on a new revolver is less involved that the older models, thanks to many of the new parts being more precise and lacking machining marks. Also keep in mind that picking up a gun that's been fired several hundred (or thousand) times and comparing it to a brand new out of the box gun is not a fair comparison.

 

[Invictus357]

My 3" 686+ in DA is rather stiff.

Been that way for years. Still an awesome trigger so I left as is.

 

[Electraclyde]

My 686+, 3" is what yours was before rework. I also have a model 69, in .44 mag. that has a trigger (out of the box) like your reworked. Both of these guns are "L" frames and share the same internals. Bought both guns within 6 weeks of each other. Triggers out of the box are crapshoots.

 

[Amp]

I bought a 3" 686+ last year. Although my pull feels heavy it is very smooth so I plan to leave it be. I mostly plink with it anyway.

 

[Doc Holliday 1950]

Thanks everyone for your comments & yes Uncle Ed I do care if other people have had the same problem. What that means to me is that S&W might have a quality control issue. Having a stiffer DA requires a different approach to follow up shots.

 

[DuneShoot]

I was surprised the trigger pull was pretty decent on the 2.5".
I still plan on adding a spring kit. It can always be better!

 

[UncleEd]

Thanks everyone for your comments & yes Uncle Ed I do care if other people have had the same problem. What that means to me is that S&W might have a quality control issue. Having a stiffer DA requires a different approach to follow up shots.

What is referred to as what you consider a heavy
trigger pull as a problem is not a problem.

A 12-pound DA trigger is normal. And has been
for a century or more.

Forgetting revolvers for a moment, NY PD
mandates 10 or 12 pound triggers on its Glocks.
When the weights were half that, accidents
were rife.

Similarly, military triggers have traditionally been
what many think of as heavy because of the
adrenaline-flowing circumstances that soldiers endure,
even in training.

 

[Doc Holliday 1950]

I'll take that 10 pound pull over the 12 pound pull everyday.

 

[uncleted327]

All new Smith triggers are a bit heavy, but it's no different than the old guns before they had the benefit of 30+ years of being shot. I don't see it as a problem, and certainly nothing to do with a QC issue. Lots of places to get trigger jobs done if you want it lighter.

 

[gfors]

My 686-6 plus had a smooth but firm trigger. After replacing main and rebound springs, I had too many light strikes, especially with Winchester White Box. The smith swapped in the original rebound, I think. Now it is sweet and no misfires. Don't know what the actual pull weight is, but I do know I shoot this gun as well as any revo I own. To be fair the trigger out of the box was extremely smooth just a little stiff.

 

[DT75]

I'm sure your gunsmith swapped out the hammer spring, as the rebound spring has no effect on the force of the hammer strike.

For a lighter DA pull, a change to a lighter rebound spring has the greatest effect. It is also quite easy to do for the average home mechanic.
Plenty of detailed videos on Youtube on how to do it.

 

[UncleEd]

A proviso about lightening the
S&W revolver springs, particularly
the trigger return one:

You increase the risk of short
stroking.

Short stroking can happen even
with full power factory springs
but not as likely.

I know of one case that Smith faced
regarding a shooting involving an L.A.
officer whose Model 15 jammed on a
short stroke.

Smith contended the springs were changed
but it was "proven" not to be the case
and the officer won a settlement against
Smith.

I put quotes around the word "proven"
only because so many vagaries exist in
court trials involving expert testimony.

In a court, experts exist on both sides of
most issues. This can be especially true in
ballistic testimony.

 

[DennisE]

I got a 686 SSR and immediately got a trigger job done on it.

 

[Doc Holliday 1950]

Yes, I did have some misfires & it was with the Winchester 130 gr. in the white box. My GS made a slight adjustment & today I went back to my range to try it out. I'm certainly no expert, but for the first time I was shooting DA & my shots were within 1/2" of each other. The minimum distance was 25 feet & max was 35. A 2.5 pound pull difference made a very big difference to me. Plus I sure had a ton more fun. This is the most accurate revolver that I've ever owned(except for my Colt which is in a safe). It's a bit of a monster to carry but well worth it.

 

[focus2]

I have a 686+ 4" that had a fairly heavy DA pull and a good SA pull. Sent it to SW to have an action job done. They did a great job. DA pull is a lot lighter and very smooth. SA pull is a little lighter and is also very smooth. Very satisfied with their work..........