J frame trigger job question

[High Altitude]

I just bought a new 642 and after my first range session, which went pretty well actually, I would like to smooth out the trigger.

I was thinking of getting the Miculek DVD and/or Kuhnhausen book and giving it a go.

Either that or a local Colorado gunsmith or sending it in to S&W.

Any recommendations on Colorado gunsmiths with S&W revolver experience? It would be great to save the cost of shipping by going local.

Will S&W work on the J frames?

All I know is that I need to do something. I have a 5 shot taurus that I bought many years ago (in another state) and the gunshop owner did a trigger job and it is 10 times smoother and much lighter compared to the 642 DAO j frame. I know the 642 is going to have a pretty hefty trigger pull anyway but smoothing it out would help a ton.

Any suggestions?

 

[High Altitude]

I just bought a new 642 and after my first range session, which went pretty well actually, I would like to smooth out the trigger.

I was thinking of getting the Miculek DVD and/or Kuhnhausen book and giving it a go.

Either that or a local Colorado gunsmith or sending it in to S&W.

Any recommendations on Colorado gunsmiths with S&W revolver experience? It would be great to save the cost of shipping by going local.

Will S&W work on the J frames?

All I know is that I need to do something. I have a 5 shot taurus that I bought many years ago (in another state) and the gunshop owner did a trigger job and it is 10 times smoother and much lighter compared to the 642 DAO j frame. I know the 642 is going to have a pretty hefty trigger pull anyway but smoothing it out would help a ton.

Any suggestions?

 

[Wayne M]

Almost all new guns need to be shot and cleaned and lubed and shot and cleaned and .....you get the idea, to help them smooth up. Shoot it for awhile, use some good lube on it(sparingly) and if it needs work in about 500 rounds then do it. All manufacturers like nice stiff springs so you might want to change those yourself AFTER your break in session. Removing metal, even in tiny amounts by polishing should be done last.

 

[wamalo]

Before attempting any internal alterations (either by you, a gunsmith, or S&W armorers), I would work the action as Wayne suggested. You can do that by dry firing in addition to actual range firing.

If it were me, I'd fire a couple hundred rounds a week, in addition to a 10 minute dry firing session each and every night for about a month.

If I were dissatisfied after that, only then would I consider having any action work performed, particularly if it's a carry gun.

 

[High Altitude]

I have a set of snap caps and have been dry firing it some. It is definitely helping with grip/trigger control.

Do I need to take the side plate off to clean it out and lube it or is that not needed?

 

[Wayne M]

Not necessary. You don't need to remove the sideplate until you want to change something. Just a couple drops of GOOD gun oil in an area where it can work into the moving parts will do it. Of course if you want to open it up, and you know how, you can put that oil directly where it needs to go.

 

[High Altitude]

OK, I have around 700 dry fires with snap caps on it now.

How many dry fires before doing it any more is not worth it.

The trigger has improved a little bit, but one thing is for sure, my trigger control is miles ahead of when I first shot it.

I can't wait to get back to the range.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Sounds like you've learned what "trigger braking" means.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[ol'gil]

ive found that all of the above work well. i slicked up my trigger by dry firing in sa/ and da. i did this a lot...prolly almost 1000 times,(usually while watching tv). after about 250 rounds and the dry fire practice the trigger on my 638-3 is very nice. then again, different guns may take more or less to get the trigger to where you want it

 

[Edubya]

If you're in a hurry to smooth it out, a gunsmith can polish it in 45 minutes and you'll be as pleased with it as you are with your other gun/trigger. I know because I had the same situation!

 

[bountyhunter]

Originally posted by jchampagne:
fwiw i called s&w up and they told me a action job for my 642-1 will cost$65.00 and it will take 2 to 3 weeks john.

Good price, I wouldn't do one for that.