S&W 642Airweight

[Badman6135]

Have a NIB 642 Airweight. Looking for recommendations for a competent gunsmith to do a complete action job on this gun in the Houston area. Or other competent gunsmiths I could send to. Thanks.

 

[mikerjf]

Honestly, you might be ahead to just get a set of snap-caps and dry fire it a bunch. They wear in nicely and if you stick with the stock springs, no worries about ignition.

I'd say "Practice a lot, too" but that's pretty difficult given the ammo situation. Snap caps will do ya tho.

 

[Badman6135]

Thanks,I'll try that.

 

[pasound]

Snap caps and about 100 rounds of dry fire, and my 637 Airweight was ready to go. Smooths it all out. SOP for all new S&W's.

 

[studenygreg]

I use WC spring kits in most of my revolvers. Then lots of dry fire.

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[Peak53]

Mine lightened/smoothed up dramatically after about 500 live rounds and some dry firing. One day I woke up and thought, "Hmmm, this thing feels pretty good."

 

[Bill In Texas]

MG Arms out in Spring just before you get to Carter's Country has a good reputation.

 

[Old cop]

I'd be hesitant to alter the factory springs in my Model 60 or 340PD b/c I'd worry about reliable ignition.

 

[studenygreg]

I'd be hesitant to alter the factory springs in my Model 60 or 340PD b/c I'd worry about reliable ignition.

My 340pd has functioned flawlessly with the WC kit.

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[crazyphil]

Way back when I gave CWL training, the 642 was probably the most
popular concealed weapon. My advice when asked about the stiff trigger
pull, was to stand in front of a mirror, draw and dry-fire about a thousand
times. Not only smooths out the action, but also smooths out the draw.
Sometimes, someone would say 1,000 seems like a lot. I would answer
it's only 50 a day for 20 days.

 

[studenygreg]

I think one of the largest benefits of dry firing is strengthening the finger.

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[haywood]

I dry fire, clean, and lube. 2000 dry fires before I shoot the gun. I did this with my Two 442's and my bobbed 37. My 74 year old Wife has the weakest hands in the world and she can shoot them pretty good DAO. My friend has a 642 with a action job and springs and I honestly couldn't even tell the difference.

 

[haywood]

Way back when I gave CWL training, the 642 was probably the most
popular concealed weapon. My advice when asked about the stiff trigger
pull, was to stand in front of a mirror, draw and dry-fire about a thousand
times. Not only smooths out the action, but also smooths out the draw.
Sometimes, someone would say 1,000 seems like a lot. I would answer
it's only 50 a day for 20 days.

I did it while watching TV. One or Two evenings and I was done.

 

[rockquarry]

Shoot your gun straight out-of-the-box or as you received it (assuming it's in good shape) and shoot it a lot using good technique to develop good shooting skill. If it needs tampering or aftermarket parts after giving it a fair workout, then have at it. However, I think you'll be happy with it as is.

 

[pharmer]

Shoot your gun straight out-of-the-box or as you received it (assuming it's in good shape) and shoot it a lot using good technique to develop good shooting skill. If it needs tampering or aftermarket parts after giving it a fair workout, then have at it. However, I think you'll be happy with it as is.

I'm not doing "+100" but what a great analysis. I have 2 642-1's and the trigger is perfect for it's intended purpose. Heavy enough to prevent "accidental discharge" due to improper carry method but good enough to save your life inside of 15 feet. Put a penny, head side up across the topstrap. When you can squeeze 10 in a row without it falling off you have arrived. Joe

 

[pistolpete10]

I have 2 642s. First one I've done nothing except shoot it. #2, had a super heavy main spring in it(who knows why----S&W lack of QC, any old spring will do??). I changed it to a Wolff standard spring, now like #1. They are both smooth and shoot very well. Neither was really rough when new. #1 has a burr in the forcing cone but it doesn't cause problems so I left it alone, all #2 needed was the spring change. I don't normally change springs in a carry gun but had to on this one. Thes are (quality wise) the best newer S&W guns I've got out of the last 7 or 8 new ones. All the others have defects of some kind that need repairs.

 

[Crh1943]

I sent a 686-6 out to Smith and Wesson for their action job and it cost me $165. The work is guaranteed from S&W so if anything goes wrong, send it back and they will take care of it at no additional charge. The performance center does all of the work for you.

If you look at their performance center 642's and such, their trigger pull weight is reduced down to about 6-7 lbs according to Gunblast.com (RIP Jeff Quinn). I would reckon that is where my 686 DA is at right now as well. Not only is the weight reduced, but the action feels so much smoother. They keep all the same factory springs in there, too.

One other thing I did to help with the weight of the pull is to replace the grips. I have VZ diamond texture boot grips on mine (same as factory with the one finger groove). They are a bit wider than factory, and to me it aids with the trigger pull and felt recoil. It is still stout, but instead of a mule kicking your hand it now feels like you are getting punched in the hand by a 30 year old adult male.

 

[pharmer]

......One other thing I did to help with the weight of the pull is to replace the grips.

Yeah, that. Joe

 

[Badman6135]

Thanks for all of the replies. Going to run about 200 rounds through it today.

 

[retrieverhunter]

Thanks for all of the replies. Going to run about 200 rounds through it today.

If that doesn't get the desired results, I recently put an Apex spring kit in my new to me 442, and it made a huge difference. It actually didn't reduce the trigger pull as much as I thought it might, but it was just enough and really smoothed it out.

I watched the Apex YouTube video and did the installation myself. It was super easy.