Model 69 & Performance Center Work

[Regaj]

Just picked up a new 2 3/4" Model 69. Great gun in concept... big bore .44 on the Smith L-frame. But my particular sample has a very heavy trigger pull, in both single and double action. Heavy enough that I wouldn't consider using it for defense or any other critical need. Lockwork timing is marginal... okay, but far from the better samples I've seen (and own).

I haven't yet put a round through it, but am already contemplating sending it back to S&W for some Performance Center work. According to S&W's website, they offer two options that might make sense:

"Combat Revolver Package" ($265):
- Glass Bead Finish
- Tuned Action
- Trigger Stop
- Chamfer Charge Holes
- Test Fire For Function

or

"Master Revolver Action Package" ($165):
- Trigger Stop
- Chamfer Charge Holes
- Polish Rebound Spring, Hammer Stud and Yoke Barrel Bosses
- Detail Lockwork Surfaces
- Stone Hammer and Trigger Contact Areas
- Test Fire for Function

Anyone have any feedback on after-purchase Performance Center work in general, or these two options in particular?

 

[Paul105]

Congrats on your purchase. I have one and really like it -- it was a bit tight early on, but has loosened up a bit (or I've gotten used to it LOL).

Not a big fan of sluggish trigger return or trigger stops (even the fixed length ones inside the rebound slide) on defensive handguns.

Someone here on the forum had the PC work done on a 4 1/4" M69 IIRC. I suspect they will be around shortly.


I would recommend that you shoot the gun enough to make sure there aren't any other problems before sending it in. Also, be aware that shipping is pretty expensive -- $100 +.

Paul

 

[glenncal1]

Regaj- you may want to try a Wilson combat spring kit (~$15) to see if that gives you the trigger you want without spending the big$$.

 

[Fostereast]

If you dry fire it 400-600 times it will smooth out and feel much better. After that, a trip to S&W might still be in order based on your satisfaction with the action and trigger pull at that point.

 

[oddshooter]

The Performance Center work is excellent. The action work is outstanding. Tell them the pull weight you want on DA and SA.

Prescut

 

[StakeOut]

I second putting in a $15 aftermarket spring kit and shooting about 500 rounds before spending big bucks on gunsmithing.

Also I would probably opt for a top pistolsmith to do the work rather than S&W.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Denny Reichart @ Sand Burr Ranch is the man that I would use . He is a retired Detective and Dept Armorer . It seems like he has been to the Smith school about 5 times . His work is top notch and fairly priced . Check with him before you do anything is my recommendation .

 

[lefty_jake]

I will offer the same advice that I give whenever someone has a gun which is safe to shoot but still needs to be shipped somewhere for service. That advice is to shoot the gun a bit before sending it anywhere. Make sure that if there are any less obvious problems, that you flush them out. That way if you do decide to ship it, you can have everything done at once.

I will also suggest that I am not a big fan of just changing springs. It is true that changing springs can produce noticeable improvements without too much work. But just changing springs cannot really compare with having some polishing done by someone who knows what they are doing. If you really want a better trigger, then send it somewhere good for a real action job.

 

[Fostereast]

Aftermarket Springs

If it has not been said: The OP indicated the revolver was for SD, and this could be a big headache in potential post SD litigation. If it will be a carry and home defense firearm, it might be best to send it to S&W for improvement.

 

[Shuz]

This past summer I bought a 4-1/4" Mdl 69. I fired it several times with 1000fps loads and had several failures "to carry up". The trigger pull was so hard that it buried my gauge. The whole action felt like two files rubbing together in either single or double action mode. I called Smith and they sent me a FedEx call tag via e-mail and I sent it back on their dime. I also requested that, if possible, I'd like them to exchange the red ramp front sight for a Patridge sight. After they had the gun for about a month, I called and inquired of it's status. They said the work was completed on the action and that they had replaced the hand and had forwarded the gun to the Performance Center for a quote on the front sight replacement cost. I told them to just please send the gun back and I'll replace the front sight myself.
When I got the gun back, the action was smooth, but the trigger pull was still over 72 ounces. I replaced the rebound slide spring with an 11 pound Wolff, and I now have a 34 to 36 ounce trigger like my other .44 mags. I called Customer Service and inquired the cost of a Patridge blade and roll pin. They sent me one free of charge! I surmise that was because of the lengthy time my gun was back there awaiting a quote!
I'm now a "happy camper", I have a fine working gun with sights I can see! YMMV

 

[iPac]

If it has not been said: The OP indicated the revolver was for SD, and this could be a big headache in potential post SD litigation. If it will be a carry and home defense firearm, it might be best to send it to S&W for improvement.

I personally feel the whole "action job in a SD situation" is a little over exaggerated. I may be wrong, but I don't lose sleep over it and have all of my duty guns tuned up (myself).

My daily carry has a 2# 5oz SA pull and a flat 7# DA pull. No springs have been replaced or permanently modified, and all the factory safety devices work just fine. It would be hard to prove anything was done to it.

I could understand if maybe someone had a gun tuned to the point where factory safety devices have been removed/altered, or the proper functioning of the gun is compromised like trigger push off. Or if permanent modification was done that changed the original factory design, like a Tedford/Glenn curved trigger sear that Glenn uses in his "ultimate action job". Just a gun that has been tuned to operate better but still completely safe and functioning the same as factory designed I would never worry about.

For this reason though, is why I wouldn't spend money on a factory action job. Private smiths will always be my recommendation.