DA trigger pull Model 36 vs. Model 442

[tguil]

I have an 80's model 36 (little used) and am considering the purchase of a new model 442. Is the double action trigger pull about the same on both guns? My local dealer is not all that willing to let folks dry fire his guns. Don't blame him one bit.

Tom

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Just a thought, when I go to a dealer and want to dry fire a gun I bring some Zoom Caps and ask permission to try the action. Never had any problem. If a dealer told me no, I'd leave and go elsewhere. Sort of like buying a car w/o being allowed to drive it first.

 

[Old cop]

The only difference is in how much they have been shot/dry fired. These guns smooth out the more they are used.

 

[photoman]

Is the double action trigger pull about the same on both guns?

Hard to say. One advantage to the MIM parts is they do tend to give a smoother action than the older guns that haven't been tuned or fired a lot. Then again, a lot of the older, older guns received more labor intensive action work at the factory before being sold to the public.

All of the new MIM guns I've had really smoothed out after 1-2k rounds downrange or dryfires.

 

[Broadside]

I would bring your Model 36 with you to the gun store (unloaded and secured with a trigger or cable lock for safety) and then ask the owner if you can compare trigger pulls.

I think the owner would be more apt to let you try to dry fire the revolver if he knew you were serious about purchasing.

This is just my opinion, but I think there is just too much variation in DA triggers to form any type of conclusion based on Model type or age. I've dry fired P&R'ed guns with horrible triggers and MIM guns with butter smooth triggers.

 

[H Richard]

When testing a trigger on a new gun, it will mark the cylinder. If you open the cylinder and hold the cylinder release to the rear, you can cycle the action without involving the cylinder.

 

[Stu454]

There's too much variation from gun to gun to say without giving it a try.

 

[Broker50]

My opinion only, individual guns can vary a lot, but generally speaking, I have found the internal hammer J-frames to have a better DA trigger than the ones with a SA capability. I believe it's due to the Centennial's lack of a hammer block, less mechanics to overcome with each trigger pull. Like I said, you may find a bad example of one, & a good example of another, & everything goes out the window. Someone else may have a different opinion, but that's mine.