Question about S&W Model 52 and Model 41 Pistols

[mikemyers]

For any of you who have either or both of the Model 41 and the Model 52, I'm curious how you perceive the trigger to feel. Which of the following two scenarios best describes what you feel as you hold an unloaded gun in your hand, and dry fire it.

Do you feel the pressure on the trigger building up, as you apply more and more force to the trigger, and when the force reaches a certain amount, does the gun go CLICK as it fires?

Or, do you feel parts inside the gun actually moving as you're applying more and more pressure, again, until the gun goes CLICK as it fires?


I can say more later, but I don't want to influence anyone by saying what I feel, or why I think it's important.

 

[colt_saa]

Neither

Once you take any of the slack, the trigger breaks instantaneously at that point with almost no movement of the parts

It just takes the application of a few pounds of pressure at the break point.

 

[ken158]

Just do not dry fire your 41 without a snap cap...

 

[6string]

My perspective as a target shooter is that both tend to have more of a "roll trigger" feel than a "breaking glass rod trigger". It's still a smooth feel, not creepy.
This is based on extensive experience with other target arms such as Pardini, Hämmerli, Walther (GSP & OSP), Morini, Feinwerkbau, etc.

What I find really bothersome is the lack of adjustments. You're stuck with what you get, unless you pay a gunsmith. Even then, the range of choices is very limited. Yes, you can get more of a crisp trigger, but only to a certain extent. This is due to a degree of looseness in tolerances in the manufacture of the transfer bar.
The Hämmerli 208/208s, which also uses a transfer bar, can be set up easier with user adjustments.
With the other target arms mentioned, it's not even a fair comparison! You can set up every parameter: trigger weight, crisp vs. roll, sear engagemant, single stage vs. double stage, pre-travel length, post-travel length, trigger reach, trigger position. On and on....

That may be a lot more than what you're asking to know, but thought I'd offer.

If this stuff interests you, a good resource is the Pilkington TenP file, where they have searchable files on all the mentioned arms, and more:
The 10P Files - Pilkington Competition

Jim

(The S&W 52 is on there)

 

[Barrie]

I know for sure you can adjust the trigger on the M41 but don't know regarding the 52 as I do not own one as yet. The M41 I own is down around 2.5lbs pull which is very nice to fire.

 

[Rowlf]

My M41 and M52 have roll triggers.

If you set the bolt rimspace and trim the firing pin dry firing a M41 is no problem. From the factory neither is optimized.

 

[Troystat]

My 41's trigger has a very slight amount of take-up and is at most 2.5 pounds. For comparison my model 17 which has had a trigger job breaks with no movement whatsoever at about 2.5 at the most. I like them both.

 

[THE STEE]

my 52 has a 2.5 lb trigger same as the 41

 

[handlebar]

after a very little take up, they just break. Two beautiful triggers.
handlebar aka mustachio on other forums.

 

[n c rod]

41 and 52 triggers

I have found the 41 triggers to have a slight creep with pull weights between 2.5 and 3.5 from the factory. The one 52 I own is a 52-1 and the trigger has virtually no creep and breaks clean @ 1.7 pounds. I bought it NIB in March this year on GunBroker and is the best factory trigger I have ever owned. Other than the legal issues, why can't more good triggers come standard on target guns ?