S&W Factory Action Jobs on J-Frame Revolvers

[whelenshooter]

Does anyone have experience with the Performance Center action jobs on J-Frame revolvers? How do they compare to the actions on the K,L, and N frame revolvers?

I have several J-frame revolvers, but their coil spring actions just don't have the smooth double action trigger pulls of the K, L, and N frame guns with their leaf springs. I love my 4-inch model 65 and my 3-inch model 10, but sometimes I need to carry a smaller gun. I don't want to carry a gun I can't shoot well. To shoot a J-frame more efficiently, I need a smoother double action pull than what my guns currently have. Before I shell out the money for an action job, I'd like to know if there is even a chance of getting a good action job on a J-frame, or if the design simply won't allow a good double action pull.

I'd appreciate knowing other people's experience.

 

[whelenshooter]

Does anyone have experience with the Performance Center action jobs on J-Frame revolvers? How do they compare to the actions on the K,L, and N frame revolvers?

I have several J-frame revolvers, but their coil spring actions just don't have the smooth double action trigger pulls of the K, L, and N frame guns with their leaf springs. I love my 4-inch model 65 and my 3-inch model 10, but sometimes I need to carry a smaller gun. I don't want to carry a gun I can't shoot well. To shoot a J-frame more efficiently, I need a smoother double action pull than what my guns currently have. Before I shell out the money for an action job, I'd like to know if there is even a chance of getting a good action job on a J-frame, or if the design simply won't allow a good double action pull.

I'd appreciate knowing other people's experience.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

It's my observation that the J frames are better handled by smaller hands.I have fairly large hands and have never been comfortable with one even though I've carried several over the years.

Smoothing up the bearing surfaces helps and frankly speaking,regular use,dry firing,etc works just as well unless there is a particular spot with burrs that need attention.

Using lighter springs is another approach but it makes misfires more likely which is not the way I want to go in a weapon for protection.

The J frame can be slickened but it can never have the same feel as the larger frame smiths.

Since this is a S&W site,this may be blasphemy but I nowdays carry a Ruger SP101 357 that feels right in my hand although it's not as smooth as I like either.

 

[whelenshooter]

To the person who sent me the e-mail and who doesn't want me to use his name on the forum:
Your e-mail system is blocking my reply. You need to authorize my reply so that you will receive it.

 

[pinkymingeo]

S&W told me they don't do action jobs on J-frames. Not enough to be gained. Some lubrication and a spring change can make a world of difference.

 

[sar4937]

I've noticed a lot of difference from one J-frame to another. I prefer older J-frames and I have a 649 that I like the most. The the small boot grips that everyone wants seem to make the gun harder for me to pull the trigger. I prefer to have my pinky finger on the grip. So I have Nill Combat grips. Also when I pulled the side cover, I discovered that whatever lube there was had dried up. A complete cleaning and relube with one of the recent slick lubes made things much better.

 

[whelenshooter]

Thank you for the second e-mail!

I tried to respond to it, but this message wouldn't go through either.

I don't know if it helps, but the error message from your e-mail carrier says it sees spam elements in my e-mail carrier. Mine is GCI.NET, probably the biggest in Alaska. I'm not the most computer literate guy in the world, so I don't know how to fix it either.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Clark Custom Guns in Princeton, Louisiana still does very nice action jobs on J-frames. I can certainly tell the difference on my 340PD. When you call them, ask to speak with Joe about the work. The other guy I would call is Sandy Garrett, of Northern Virginia Gun Works in Springfield, Virginia. Sandy is a member of the American Pistolsmiths Guild and was a police armorer for many years. He is an S&W wizard.

 

[allglock]

I just lube internals sparingly, install an Apex firing pin , and a reduced power hammer spring, and I am in buisness,

 

[whelenshooter]

Thank you everyone!

 

[Derek Enslen]

i've talked with customer service about this, as i have a 642 there for repair. they don't do a full blown "action job" on a j frame but do an "enhancement" to smooth it up a bit.
don't have my 642 back yet, so can't comment on the difference.
cheers,
Derek

 

[Skip357]

Give smith a call and ask for a black mainspring
and that will help your action on J guns.
.

 

[tac803]

I have used a flat stone on the bottom of the rebound slide assembly to smooth out the action with very good success. I don't take any significant metal off, just smooth off the high spots. It takes about 15 minutes of careful work, and makes a world of difference.