Need Advice on Model 60 Trigger Work

[Ray1970]

I just acquired a model 60 with three screws on the side plate and a pinned barrel. The trigger pull on this piece is what I would desribe as horrible. While the single action pull seems very light and breaks very nicely, the double action pull feels like it is around eighteen pounds.

I am thinking that most of my pull weight is caused by a very heavy trigger return spring (rebound spring?) as re-installing this part after cleaning it was rather difficult due to the tension of the spring.

I think I will replace this spring to see if that helps the pull weight.

Anyone have any idea how light I can go or what the consequences are if I go too light? I would like to keep the piece reliable even if it has to have a somewhat heavy trigger pull. I also plan to keep the hammer spring stock for ignition reliability.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

 

[judge]

Sir - I would try a 14lb spring & you should get a positive trigger return. If not, try a 16lb. spring. Make sure the insides are clean, and lubed where needed.

 

[tomcatt51]

Depends what you want it to shoot. I've done a couple J frames now for BUG matches. Set up for Federal primers. 6 1/2 lb DA pulls, very nice to shoot with light wadcutter loads. A Wolf 13 lb rebound spring with clipped coils and a Wolff mainspring also with clipped coils. Bobbed hammers and the usual internal smoothing.

 

[Ray1970]

I would like it to shoot anything I put in it reliably... if I could get the pull down to a smooth 10 to 12 lbs I would be pretty happy with it... I don't own a trigger pull gauge but I would estimate the pull to be around 18 lbs now.

 

[tomcatt51]

You can get an 8ish lb DA that will fire anything you feed it. You'll want to leave the stock mainspring.

 

[H Richard]

Have you tried to disassemble and thoroughly clean the innards yet? Depending on the age of the gun it may have congealed oil and other gunk causing a problem. When it is apart, a stoning of the sides of the rebound spring slide does help considerably.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
1. Check to see if all the trigger return spring coils are all inside the housing.
2. Check to see if a heavier trigger return spring was installed in an attempt to cure a "Push Off" caused by a previous owner's "Kitchen Table" action job.
Jimmy

 

[Ray1970]

Have you tried to disassemble and thoroughly clean the innards yet? Depending on the age of the gun it may have congealed oil and other gunk causing a problem. When it is apart, a stoning of the sides of the rebound spring slide does help considerably.

Already took it down and cleaned and lubricated everything. Polished the sides and bottom of the rebound slide and lightly polished the sides of the hammer and trigger. It had a "gummy" or "sticky" feeling before. That is gone now but the pull weight is excessively heavy in my opinion.

 

[Ray1970]

1. Check to see if all the trigger return spring coils are all inside the housing.

I am not sure what you mean by this. Do you mean the coils should not protrude from the housing with the parts uninstalled? I believe there are at least 1/4" of coil sticking out. Installing it was a real bear due to the spring tension.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi, Ray:
When re-installing the trigger return spring into the housing, sometimes when the spring is difficult the housing will seat with spring coils over the pin that retains the spring in the housing. This can/will result in a heavy DA trigger pull.
Jimmy

 

[Ray1970]

Hmmm... I have an idea... I believe I have a stock rebound spring for a Ruger SP101 somewhere around here... I think their springs are 10lb.... I will have to investigate and see how the diameter, overall length, and number of coils compares to the S&W part... maybe I can make that work or at least give the gun a little "test run" with a lighter rebound spring.

 

[Ray1970]

Nope.... SP101 spring is a no-go.... I got daring and cut nearly four coils off the stock rebound spring (figured I could pick up a new one if things didn't work out) and it is way better... Still stiff and heavy but not near like it was before... I would guestimate around 12 to 14 lbs and smooth... thank you all for the advice!

 

[daa9mm]

Check the pins on the trigger (the one for the hand spring).
They could be dragging on the sides. Check to see if it is centered as well or if the trigger pivot pin (mounted in the frame) is slightly bent and not 90 degrees to the frame.

 

[chief38]

I know I have posted this answer before, but I feel strongly about this, so here goes again. For guns reserved for TARGET ONLY, go ahead and change the springs, tune, etc. But for a CARRY GUN, all I like to do is shoot about 500 rounds first to smooth out the action, completely disassemble, thoroughly clean, gently remove any burrs that have not smoothed out by firing, lightly lubricate with Remoil, reassemble and test fire. I have not yet seen a S & W revolver that I have designated a carry gun with a trigger pull so rough and tough that it needed any major work (unless of course there was a defect in the gun or a part itself). Usually just use and practice do more to smooth the gun out than anything else. When friends ask me to "tune up" a revolver for them, I usually tell them to fire 500 round and if that hasn't done the trick, come back & see me then.

Regards,
chief38