Model 66 Trigger stop missing?

Magnum 7mm

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I've got a 66-3 and I compared it to my model 19 in the area behind the trigger. The 66 has a slot, but no trigger stop like the model 19. Now I have shot hundreds of rounds through the 66 without issue. I bought the revolver used, but it shows no sign of abuse or being taken apart. Sideplate screws are perfect, and it shoots and operates great.Should I have a trigger stop installed, or did S&W stop putting them in? Help and advice is appreciated.
 
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The trigger stop had a habit of occasionally coming loose and tying up the revolver. If you see an early 66 without the stop, odds are it is an ex-LEO gun.....or was owned by a saavy shooter ;)

Our armorers removed them upon delivery. Some time during the 66-2 or 66-3's production, S&W eliminated the trigger stop. They had frames on hand already cut for the trigger stop, and made the revolvers without the stop - but still with the slot - until the frames were used up.

Great revolver, congrats! Regards 18DAI.
 
Thanks for the reply. The revolver works great, but I was concerned that the missing trigger stop could cause future problems. I won't worry about it now.
 
If you want a trigger stop, you can install a fitted pin in the rebound spring similar to the factory N frames. I did that with my 19-5 which also has the slot but no stop. I have had several K frames with the trigger stop, and never any trouble with any of them.
 
Smith & Wesson trigger stops are of two configurations, in the K frame revolvers, the last enhanced model being a little larger for preventing tying up. Any gunsmith can make one with little effort; the screw holding the trigger stop is the same part number as the one that retain the leaf spring of the rear sight.
A well regulated trigger stop is beneficial in aimed precision shooting.
 
Could somebody edify me about the purpose and mechanical function of the trigger stop? My 66-1 lacks it as well, further reinforcing my guess that it was a LEO gun. My FFL tested it by half-dropping the hammer and then pulling the trigger again. He explained it, but danged if I understood.
 
To add to the discussion, S&W issued a warning to law enforcement agencies about trigger stops coming loose and possibly jamming the gun on its K-frames. At the time, I was carrying a department issued Model 15. All of the guns had to be turned into the armorer, who removed the trigger stops. Because the gun had been modified from its original factory configuration, we had to requalify (that was the best part of the whole process as far as I was concerned).
 
The trigger stop stops any over travel in the trigger. It stops the trigger from moving backwards as soon as the hammer is disengaged. It is used by target shooters. Like others have said most LEO guns had them removed. Hope this helps.
 
The trigger stop stops any over travel in the trigger. It stops the trigger from moving backwards as soon as the hammer is disengaged. It is used by target shooters. Like others have said most LEO guns had them removed. Hope this helps.


To further amplify, when the trigger travels past the point that the sear releases, many shooters have a tendency to let the muzzle drop. The trigger stop minimizes this tendency.
 
Good answers, thanks. I almost get it. By "stops trigger from moving backward", does backward mean towards the butt or muzzle? Backward relative to regular trigger application direction could be towards the front of the gun.

I am testing it and cannot feel any difference between one that!has the trigger guard and one that does not. I think overtravel should mean backwards as in towards butt, but my trigger is free to move a tiny bit (perhaps 0.1 inch) on both the one with the trigger stop and the one without.
 
Good answers, thanks. I almost get it. By "stops trigger from moving backward", does backward mean towards the butt or muzzle? Backward relative to regular trigger application direction could be towards the front of the gun.

I am testing it and cannot feel any difference between one that has the trigger guard and one that does not. I think overtravel should mean backwards as in towards butt, but my trigger is free to move a tiny bit (perhaps 0.1 inch) on both the one with the trigger stop and the one without.

Backwards>towards the butt. You want a small amount of play to make sure the trigger/hammer disengage every time and the gun goes bang. :D
 
Makes sense, bgrafsr. Fastsheriff said: "The trigger stop stops any over travel in the trigger." If it really did so, that seems equivalent to eliminating the crucial play. Or perhaps the trigger stop only limits the amount of play after sear release.

Anyway, perhaps mine is not working, because I cannot tell a difference in the amount of play between a gun that has the trigger stop, and another that does not have the trigger stop.
 
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