Model 10 Double Action Trigger pull

J

jhkunkel

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2015
Messages
87
Reaction score
14
Location
Virginia
What is the average Trigger Pull on a Smith & Wesson Model 10?
Mine has a 10 lb trigger pull in DA and 2.6 in SA
Is this within spec?
If I loosen the strain screw will that help lessen the DA trigger pull without adverse effect?
Thanks,
Jim
 
Register to hide this ad
Seems a bit heavier than any I've owned. Loosening the strain screw will indeed lower the pull weight, but need to be sure to not go too light and get inconsistent hammer strikes. I usually take a screwdriver to the range and shoot it as I adjust. If it doesn't strike hard enough to set off a primer I put 1/2 turn back in and test it again. Keep adding 1/2 turn clockwise until strikes get consistent again.
 
The DA pull sounds a bit heavy, but not unreasonably so. I had a little fired M67 no dash that had a similar DA pull. The pull was significantly heavier than my well worn ex-Aussie LEO M10-8. The SA pull sounds right so it may be that the revolver just hasn’t been shot all that much. I would leave the strain screw alone and just shoot it. Personally I don’t like loosening a part on a handgun that is supposed to be tight. Over time the spring will wear in and you will develop the necessary muscle memory in your hand and grip.

Alternatively a good gunsmith can polish and tune the action for you. I have a second 10-8 that a prior owner sent to a good smith for an action job. It’s incredible. The DA is not necessarily light, but it is buttery smooth. This 10-8 has a nickle finish which I really don’t like, but I keep it because of the wonderful action.

Remember that Model 10s were intended to be DA service/duty firearms for use in high stress situations.
 
Last edited:
Quickest way to make your Smith a inoperative junk pile is to start filing/stoning things...it requires a LOT of experience and some time... Not U tube video then go do.
 
Strain screws have been loosened for decades. However, to my way of thinking, the strain screw hold a part, the mainspring, that is repeatedly stressed and unstressed, meaning it’s intended to move and work. Eventually the back and forth working of the spring loosens a loose strain screw and you’ll get light strikes. Plus, as the screw works loose your trigger pull will be less consistent. But, it’s up to you.
 
Normal main spring pressure acts like a lock washer on the strain screw. Over 45 years I've never had a strain screw not stay where I left it adjusted. The complaints about strain screws that are not bottomed out turning on their own come from the same members who brag about the incredibly light double action pulls they get with home trigger jobs. I do not want revolvers that will only set off Federal primers. Trigger pull weight is like shoe weight. If you only wear your boots while hiking they weigh your feet down. Wear them most of the year and their weight is not noticeable while hiking.

It is not that hard to educate yourself then do a good home trigger job. There is good information in older books. Jerry Miculek sold a good video on trigger jobs. However, as alluded to above and Miculek states in his video, eventually the parts rubbing together smooths them as good as stoning them will.

The quickest way to lower DA pull weight a little is to substitute a Wolff rebound spring. It's best to buy the pack that includes various spring weights. How light a spring you can use depends on how smooth and easily the action cycles, whether like me you want the revolver to set off all brands of primers, and how fast a trigger return you require. Miculek has to use heavy rebound spring so that trigger return keeps up with his trigger finger. That's not a concern for most of us. The rebound spring weight I use most often is 13 pounds.
 
Last edited:
I agree with Spad.
In addition , 10# da and 2.5# sa is not at all bad. Right on , I'd say. If you wish to fiddle with the strain screw at the range , no real harm. However - bear in mind that a loosened screw will "un spec" the firearm , and it may not hold adjustment when not tightened. Add that up , and it sounds like "not an adjustment device" to me.

If you wish to lighten the da trigger try a lighter rebound spring.
Your sa trigger is spot on.
 
The strain screw IS NOT THERE TO ADJUST TRIGGER PULLS.
The factory will tell you this, gunsmiths will tell you this, and regular everyday KNOWLEDGEABLE people will tell you this.

What you do with your own property is your business, but you have been warned.
Denis
 
Wow it appears there is a great variance of opinions on the strain / adjustment screw.

I have installed the Wolff reduced power mainspring and a 13-pound rebound spring and that is where I am getting my 10 lb double action and two and a half pound single action pull.
I have gone over the entire inside of the gun in a very meticulous fashion.
I've also polished and stoned all the areas that required it, but in an almost surgical like fashion.
Thanks to everyone for their replies and comments.
 
jhkunkel said:
Wow it appears there is a great variance of opinions on the strain / adjustment screw.

I have installed the Wolff reduced power mainspring and a 13-pound rebound spring and that is where I am getting my 10 lb double action and two and a half pound single action pull.
I have gone over the entire inside of the gun in a very meticulous fashion.
I've also polished and stoned all the areas that required it, but in an almost surgical like fashion.
Thanks to everyone for their replies and comments.
Click to expand...

Why did you not share all this at the start of this thread? The entire topic is now in a different context. All that and you are considering messing with the strain screw to boot? Why?

Oh boy ...
 
When I first started the thread it was because I was interested in what the standard double action trigger pull and the standard single action trigger pull for a Smith & Wesson model 10 would be.
I purchased this model 10 on GunBroker and it appears to have been fired very little.
The DA trigger pull when I got it was about 11 lb and the SA trigger pull was just at 3 lb. After installing the wolf kit it brought the pull weights down to the level stated above. Again I was just curious as to what the standard for this type of revolver is.
There appears to be a lot of back and forth on whether adjusting the strain screw is prudent or not.
I'm not trying to stir up a can of worms just trying to learn a little more about this particular Smith & Wesson model 10.
My other revolvers are all J frames so different animals completely.
 
If it is smooth, a ten pound DA trigger weight in a K-frame seems perfectly acceptable to me.

A smith got the trigger of my DAO J-frame EDC down to a very smooth nine pounds or so, and I'm well satisfied.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Model 10-5 DAO - Spurless
2
Replies
21
Views
926
Crookedcreek
C
Bnd2003
Strange model 10–7
Replies
7
Views
598
JP@AK
JP@AK
DV0
Model 10 (no dash) 2
Replies
1
Views
400
SS336
S
ezb57
Smooth Trigger on 2-inch Model 15?
Replies
13
Views
640
Engine49guy
Engine49guy
O
New to me Model 10-6
Replies
12
Views
814
oldrookey617
O

Latest posts

Back
Top