S&W Model 41 Trigger Adjust

[mikemyers]

I have printed out the step-by-step directions on how to adjust the trigger on the Model 41. I would like to move the adjuster one "notch" to make the trigger pull a little less.

The first step is to drift the trigger pivot pin towards the left side of the gun. Seems to me that with the rounded end on the pin, I should do this with a "cupped" punch (slowly, a little at a time).

Anyone know what punch diameter would be appropriate?

(There are a few other things I'd like to ask about, but I'd like to do this one step at a time. I've already removed and cleaned the firing pin and the ejector - were all filthy, now spotless. I've been following the instructions here: Model 41 maintenance).

 

[bigggbbruce]

Not to be rude but the answer to your question is in the instructions you reference.

 

[mikemyers]

Oops, yes, somehow I missed it. 3/32". I assume a cupped punch would work as well as the "pin punch" they refer to. Sorry, it was right there (in two places). Maybe I need new glasses......

 

[bigggbbruce]

All good.. I'm just kind of mean..

 

[gman51]

It was just one of those "well duh moments" we all might have occasionally.
Been there done that. Refer to two heads are sometimes better than one.

 

[leinster lad]

my experience is that moving the trigger adjust bar "one notch" will make such a slight difference you probably will not feel the difference.
of course, YMMV

 

[leinster lad]

check previous thread

S&W 41 trigger adjustment lever

 

[mikemyers]

That didn't work out too well; I found links to the Model 41 Maintenance pages I've been working with, and "401 errors" for other pages that can't be found. Any clues to find the missing pages, or are they gone for good? A video would be wonderful.

I'm not so sure I want to do any of this - it sounded so easy, but maybe there's a lot more to it.

 

[leinster lad]

missing pages are now gone.

It is not a hard or difficult job to do.
I moved mine fully forward to the lowest weight position and noticed minimal difference.
As I outlined in the other thread, the trigger adjusting bar only changes the "stop point" of the trigger return spring, effectively altering its length. This changes the amount of leverage on that end of the spring, which effectively changes its weight.

Basically, the weight of the trigger spring can be felt by feeling the trigger with the magazine REMOVED. This is the actual weight of the trigger spring ( plus a bit of drag by the trigger bar in the frame)

MOST of the trigger weight comes from the sear/hammer friction, which is mostly set by the weight of the hammer spring.

For all intents and purposes, the "trigger spring" is really only a trigger return spring.
It needs to be sufficiently strong enough to fully return the trigger to the forward position, otherwise there is a risk that the trigger bar will not engage with the sear.

 

[mikemyers]

.......MOST of the trigger weight comes from the sear/hammer friction, which is mostly set by the weight of the hammer spring.......

Thanks!

Are you referring to the mainspring?

If so, is this part a better way to adjust the trigger weight?

 

[leinster lad]

That spring (your picture) is not found on a S&W M41

My point was that the M41 trigger "adjustment" ramp does little in the way of felt trigger weight. Some, but very little.

You would get much better results from having a smith polish the sear and trigger.

A point to note regarding lightening the "Main spring" ( the one that pushes on the hammer ). Although good results can be had, there is a very real possibility of getting light strikes from the firing pin.

If you don't know what you are doing, and/or cannot "undo" what you did, DON'T MESS WITH IT !!

 

[mikemyers]

..........If you don't know what you are doing, and/or cannot "undo" what you did, DON'T MESS WITH IT !!

That should be posted in every forum, in huge letters, where it can't be missed. It's also the reason why I haven't attempted to follow the steps listed for how to do this, which from what you've written are not really the answer anyway.

With good help from knowledgeable people, I've been doing things that I would never attempt on my own, such as with help from Don in fixing my Model 52. That's different.

(I wish I did have a local gunsmith, that I could go to for help with problems, but I haven't yet found one in the Miami area. As to my Model 41, I wish the trigger was a bit lighter, but I can live with it just the way it is now.)

Thanks for all the advice!