Hi All. I have a question about S&W dao trigger pulls. I understand there are two systems that S&W used. What I'm interested in knowing is how close are the pulls to their DA revolvers? Do they feel like a j frame or more like a k frame or different altogether? I'm a big fan of S&W DA revolvers. Today at the range I had a 5906 and shot a bit in DA and really liked it. I thought it felt like a heavier k frame trigger pull. It was a pain to de-cock it every time. Thanks Bill
DAO Smith trigger
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I personally find it quite difficult to compare a double action or DAO semiauto trigger to a revolver trigger however, I can definitely tell you this, and maybe this helps…?
If you enjoyed the double action first pull of your 5906 and you practiced with it a good bit to really get familiar with it, then I suspect that you would really love S&W DAO trigger pull on a 5946 or 3953 or any of the earlier DAO models.
My only complaint with the S&W DAO models is that the slide mounted decock lever is, for me, a fantastic “grab widget” that I really missed on my 3953. I felt like I wasn’t getting as solid a purchase on that slide without the doohickey there.
If you enjoyed the double action first pull of your 5906 and you practiced with it a good bit to really get familiar with it, then I suspect that you would really love S&W DAO trigger pull on a 5946 or 3953 or any of the earlier DAO models.
My only complaint with the S&W DAO models is that the slide mounted decock lever is, for me, a fantastic “grab widget” that I really missed on my 3953. I felt like I wasn’t getting as solid a purchase on that slide without the doohickey there.
The trigger stroke on the DA/SA and DAO versions are somewhat different. Some friends picked up used DAOs very reasonably and they all had a surprising amount of over travel. Seemed to vary somewhat between examples. A properly fitted over travel stop made things a while lot better.
I find the DAO trigger on my 6946 to be very smooth and a bit easier than the DA trigger pull on my Model 10s.
I fired the 6946 for only the second time when I took the SC CCW qualification course in March of 2021.
This was the result,
I fired the 6946 for only the second time when I took the SC CCW qualification course in March of 2021.
This was the result,
cherrypointmarine
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I'm no fan of DAO triggers , but I have a few . I take them out once in a while and then I ask myself why don't I shoot them more often . There's some of my revolvers that have really slick DA triggers , while others are a real pain to shoot DA . Myself , I really can't compare the two , it's like apples and oranges . Like I said , I really don't like DAO , but the three I have I really don't mind shooting . If you can find a buddy that owns a true DAO S&W , do yourself a favour and shoot it , you will be surprised .
I've become a bit of a fan for DAO 3rd Gens with a 6946, 3953, and 4046. Put a lighter hammer spring in the .40 and I'd like to do a bunch of polishing on the other two to really smooth them out.
Did a few mods as well: had BCMC convert a 5946TSW into a DA/SA and then promptly sold my 5906 and put a 3913 slide on the 3953 'cause I like the idea of a safety on my carry guns.
My 642 is a Performance Center so I can't compare that trigger with the pistols; and I've never shot any of my revolvers side-by-side with the other DAOs so I really can't do an honest comparison.
Did a few mods as well: had BCMC convert a 5946TSW into a DA/SA and then promptly sold my 5906 and put a 3913 slide on the 3953 'cause I like the idea of a safety on my carry guns.
My 642 is a Performance Center so I can't compare that trigger with the pistols; and I've never shot any of my revolvers side-by-side with the other DAOs so I really can't do an honest comparison.
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OK - I could NEVER understand why one would opt to restrict themselves to DAO. Even if you never practice defensive shooting with SA, it's nice to have it for carefully well aimed shots IMO. At least you do have the option.
As ugly as it is ...... the Bodyguard M49/649 makes a lot of practical sense.
As ugly as it is ...... the Bodyguard M49/649 makes a lot of practical sense.
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The DAO semi-autos do have a very K-frame like trigger pull, not surprising since the NYPD authorized the 5946 after the model 64 NY-1 .38 Specials. Brinks Security surplused out quite a few 4046s in the past year or two and until recently they were easy to find.
They do not have a "second strike" capability, and as noted above the grooved area at the rear of the slide is smaller than on the SA/DA pistols, making it a little more difficult to retract the slide manually. Good luck in your search.
They do not have a "second strike" capability, and as noted above the grooved area at the rear of the slide is smaller than on the SA/DA pistols, making it a little more difficult to retract the slide manually. Good luck in your search.
I carried a model 15 for 9 years and a model 19 for nearly 25 years as my duty weapon. I had a J frame and Colt DS for off duty.
Today, I prefer the DAO Smiths to the TDAs for EDC and would compare the triggers to the K frame models.
Today, I prefer the DAO Smiths to the TDAs for EDC and would compare the triggers to the K frame models.
