45doubletap
Member
Anyone replace the springs in their J frames with reduced power springs? What brands have you used (all wolf's are back ordered)! And what weights have yall used to get your desired trigger pull.
J frame spring replacement
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Pisgah
Member
Plenty of folks go to lighter springs, and most of them find lighter springs inevitably lead to decreased ignition reliability. There is no free lunch.
The best idea for J-frames in my experience, is to leave the springs as-is and concentrate on smoothing the action as much as possible without changing the springs.
The best idea for J-frames in my experience, is to leave the springs as-is and concentrate on smoothing the action as much as possible without changing the springs.
I've got a peripheral motor nerve condition and according to my doctor I've got "profound weakness" in my right hand.
So I took my everyday carry 442 apart smoothed the guts some with an extra fine Arkansas oil stone and replaced the main spring with a Wolff 8 pound spring and the rebound spring with a Wolff 11 pound spring.
Now I can shoot my 442 one handed again.
I've never had a misfire or a light strike, in fact it dents the primers deeper than my wife's M66.
So I took my everyday carry 442 apart smoothed the guts some with an extra fine Arkansas oil stone and replaced the main spring with a Wolff 8 pound spring and the rebound spring with a Wolff 11 pound spring.
Now I can shoot my 442 one handed again.
I've never had a misfire or a light strike, in fact it dents the primers deeper than my wife's M66.
Have the Apex Duty/Carry spring kit for my M&P340. Reliable ignition with over 200 rounds shot, so far. also, a slight stoning of the rebound slide also works, if you are comfortable with doing that. A good cleaning and lubing with the side plate off works wonders, along with lots of dry-fire.
I've been carrying/shooting Js for well over 40 years and have never changed anything beyond the grips. Triggers, while heavy, smooth out w/use (range or dry fire) over time and I train w/my EDC monthly. I've learned to shoot these guns the way they come from the factory and don't want to have to justify anything I changed in court if that should come to pass.
OP
45doubletap
Member
The APEX kit is the one that sparks my interest most. I have changed to wolf springs because I believe they are better quality than the stock SW springs....but I am pondering the APEX duty/carry kit for a 642. Ive polished rebound slides and cut springs in the past to find that elusive perfect trigger pull. I have yet to have a light strike with any of the J-Frames I "experimented" on.
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Dale53
Member
I can recommend the Apex kit, as well. However, one thing I seldom see is a suggestion to increase your hand strength. This applies to office workers, oldsters like myself, and women. Regardless of your original strength or age, if you do not have a particular disability, you CAN greatly increase your hand strength.
Years ago, I competed regularly in PPC Competition and practiced three times a week (yes, I cast my own bullets and reload) and it was amazing how much strength I gained just from practicing double action shooting. This included a LOT of dry firing (snap caps are GREATLY recommended).
Before you spend a lot of money and effort on changing your revolvers you might want to give strength training a trial. Just consider it "continuing training"...
FWIW
Dale53
Years ago, I competed regularly in PPC Competition and practiced three times a week (yes, I cast my own bullets and reload) and it was amazing how much strength I gained just from practicing double action shooting. This included a LOT of dry firing (snap caps are GREATLY recommended).
Before you spend a lot of money and effort on changing your revolvers you might want to give strength training a trial. Just consider it "continuing training"...
FWIW
Dale53
If you want any reliability, don't change the mainspring. I never change the mainspring, but will put a 14 lb trigger return spring in the J Frame if they are deemed too heavy.
attn .45Doubletap
Hey partner! Is this a carry piece or back-up gun? If yes, don't change the springs. Period.
Stay safe, partner.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Hey partner! Is this a carry piece or back-up gun? If yes, don't change the springs. Period.
Stay safe, partner.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
I highly recommend the Apex Tactical J-frame spring kit. I installed one on my 638 and it has made a big difference in the weight of the double action trigger. All factory ammunition goes bang after it was installed. I had a couple of misfires with my reloads that had primers that were not fully seated but these rounds then fired the second time around.
I also recommend increasing hand strength. In my experience, use of spring-loaded hand grippers can improve finger strength only a bit. However, the best exercise is finger curls with a dumbbell. Hang your arm below your body and place the dumbbell in the furthest joint of your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers. Make a fist and slowly release the fist. Most folks can probably start with a 10-15 lb dumbbell. I've worked up to 2 sets of 12 reps with each hand using a 50 lb dumbbell. This exercise has really helped to control both the trigger and also the weapon itself with my J-Frame and N-frame revolvers.
I also recommend increasing hand strength. In my experience, use of spring-loaded hand grippers can improve finger strength only a bit. However, the best exercise is finger curls with a dumbbell. Hang your arm below your body and place the dumbbell in the furthest joint of your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers. Make a fist and slowly release the fist. Most folks can probably start with a 10-15 lb dumbbell. I've worked up to 2 sets of 12 reps with each hand using a 50 lb dumbbell. This exercise has really helped to control both the trigger and also the weapon itself with my J-Frame and N-frame revolvers.
Like several other responses you have received, I use Wolff spring kits in 2 on my J frames. Both kits had 8# main springs and 13# rebound springs. I also have stoned the rebound slides and areas they ride on. I don't know if this gives me the ultimate trigger feel or not, but I am very happy with them, and have had 0 failures to fire with this combination using various brands of ammo.
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tomfromhull
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I put the apex trigger kit in my 642 and love it. No problems at all after probably 300 rounds
re spring kits
i agree with several previous post who have replaced their springs. there is an old post where a member did a great test with different springs from apex and if i remember correctly wolf. also polishing the rebound block. i my self like ISMI springs. nothing wrong with trying different spring kit and find which work best in your pistol.the longer firing pin and spring from apex will help most light strikes if you should have that issue.
i agree with several previous post who have replaced their springs. there is an old post where a member did a great test with different springs from apex and if i remember correctly wolf. also polishing the rebound block. i my self like ISMI springs. nothing wrong with trying different spring kit and find which work best in your pistol.the longer firing pin and spring from apex will help most light strikes if you should have that issue.
4896worker
Member
Used the apex kit in my 642 and my wife's 642 .Also polished the sides of anything that I could on the internals rebond slide etc. and areas on the frame that they ride in Then degreased the internals and dry fired 200 times to wear in the parts. Opened side up and cleaned and lubed action very smooth and trigger seems lighter . No light primer strikes
I agree with Old Cop's statement one hundred percent. Leave the gun as it came from the factory and practice often. Instead of buying the gun and trying to make it "right" just buy the right gun. If these revolvers were deemed reliable with lighter springs I'm sure s&w would offer them. This applies to duty/carry and home defense weapons. Range and competition guns are a different story, tinker away!
