M66 Trigger Adjustment?

[mmaher94087]

My Model 66 - no dash, 4". has a light single action trigger pull. I've not measured but I'd guess that it's in the minus-two pound range or less. How do I get back to the factory spec's? The revolver functions and fires flawlessly but I think a prior owner lightened the trigger pull and it is too sensitive for me. I wish to carry this in the woods but the light trigger scares me. I tried to search this forum but got tired wadeing through; sorry but I only have one 'good' eye. Can I send it back to the factory and how? I appreciate any help. Mike

 

[jepp2]

How is your trigger reset? To reduce single action pull, you can put a lower spring rate rebound spring in. Some folks cut coils to try and accomplish the same. Factory standard rebound spring is 18 pounds. I normally replace the factory with a 14 pound spring. This reduces my single action pull to around 3 lbs.

Have you checked for push off? If you don't have access to a trigger pull gauge, I strongly suggest you consider getting one. I know my finger isn't calibrated as well as any factory trigger pull gauge, maybe yours is....

 

[Laurent]

The cheap answer is going to a STRONGER rebound spring. If the trigger trigger return is weak, the previous owner may have changed/cut it. Brownells and Wolffs sell sets with different weights.

If the sear/hammer engagement has been changed, you have a problem. A good smith may be able to put it back to specs but he might be forced to change both parts too. these are difficult to find in new conditions for pre-NIM S&W.

I really hope it's just the spring.

L.

 

[Hapworth]

The cheap answer is going to a STRONGER rebound spring. If the trigger trigger return is weak, the previous owner may have changed/cut it. Brownells and Wolffs sell sets with different weights.

If the sear/hammer engagement has been changed, you have a problem. A good smith may be able to put it back to specs but he might be forced to change both parts too. these are difficult to find in new conditions for pre-NIM S&W.

I really hope it's just the spring.

L.

+1

First make sure your strain screw (mainspring screw) is fully seated.

Then check the main and rebound springs to determine they're to factory specs.

If it does come down to the angle on the trigger's single action sear, odds are a good gunsmith can recut and polish it to the pull of your choosing; factory single action breaks between three and three-and-a-half pounds.

I was learning some of this work from an excellent gunsmith with particular expertise in S&Ws. We removed the trigger from a Model 19 and gently ground the single action sear to replicate wear and/or improper gunsmithing, and to demonstrate pushoff.

Then he showed me how recutting and stoning at the proper angles corrects the issue, and allows dial-in of specific pull weights.

Bottom line: your light single action pull can likely be corrected fairly easily and inexpensively.

 

[mmaher94087]

Thank you everyone. Hammer push-off is not an issue; rapping it with a wooden dowel did nothing. The mainspring is OK and the trigger reset is positive also. I'm betting that I need a new rebound spring. Again, thank you all. Mike

 

[mmaher94087]

OK, rebound spring is on its way, grips are off, as is the sideplate, yoke and cylinder. How should I go about removing the rebound assembly with the spring - gracefully.. as in - like I know what I'm doing? I'm imagining spring-loaded parts flying everywhere. I'm horrified at the thought. Mike

 

[geneboy]

bob the hammer and the problem is solved

 

[ken158]

Replacing the spring is easier to do than explain how to do - but pointed - maybe small phillips inserted into the front of the spring above the rebound slide and kinda "pry but not really" upward and as long as phillips is inside spring it comes out without anything flying around. Replace with flat pointed screwdriver that is a little wider than the spring opening, get it down and behind the pin and set it to the bottom of the frame. Just takes a little practice but very easy to accomplish.

 

[Krogen]

Buy a rebound slide tool from Brownells. They're not >that< expensive and will keep you from launching the spring into low earth orbit - or your eye. BTW, wear safety glasses when you try to remove the spring. Even if you get the spring out with a "small phillips" getting it back in won't be so easy. Buy the tool....