S&W Model 41 trigger job

[Krash51]

I recently made an attempt to get rid of some of the sloppiness in the trigger of my Model 41 .22 cal. target match gun. Showing a small amount of foresight, I bought a NOS sear to try my hand at a trigger job. I'm a wood worker so I know how to get a surface flat and polished from flattening chisel backs. I proceeded to flatten and polish the top surface of the sear which directly interacts with the hammer notch at full.cock. for the first 100 or so rounds of testing it was like magic. So crisp with no perceptible movement. I was in love. The next session was not so good. After 30-40 rounds, the hammer would not go to full cock after the first round in the mag. So I returned the original sear.and am back to ground zero. Anyone have any thoughts, suggestions or experiences with this type of work. Thanks, Paul

 

[Patrick L]

Is a Model 41 sear case hardened like the revolver parts? Could you possibly have gotten into soft inner metal?

 

[armorer951]

I'm not sure what the term "sloppiness" means with respect to the hammer trigger interface. If the trigger exhibits take up, or over-travel issues, then the problem you are feeling may be with internals rather than the surfaces on the hammer and trigger, like the trigger bar and/or internal springs for instance.

The new OEM sear should not need to be altered in order for it to work properly with an unaltered hammer. A bit of polishing with crocus cloth might be needed. Any idea what the actual trigger pull measures now?

In order to re-hab a previously altered or worn sear to restore the factory surface, angle, and profile, you will need to make or purchase a jig. These surfaces cannot be correctly re-profiled without one.

If you desire the very best trigger possible, and you are currently experiencing trigger issues, the best way to solve the problem is to contact Clark Custom, particularly if you are dealing with an older gun that has been shot extensively. They are the the most experienced shop in terms of gunsmithing the model 41, IMO.

Gunsmithing Services | Clark Custom Guns


Carter

 

[ken158]

Self gun smithing on a model 41 or 52 trigger never goes well… We got a guy here that is retired from the factory that assembled those models and maybe he will chime in - I cant recall his site name right now.

 

[chief38]

I've owned a M41 since 1979 (purchased new) and have shot at least a dozen or so others owned by friends and team members. I have yet to find one that had what I'd deem a "sloppy" trigger. I have noticed that some are lighter than others (even with the 5 pull weight sawtooth adjuster set to the lightest settings on most) but other than that I can honestly say none had what I'd consider a sloppy or creepy trigger.

If that is truly the case with yours I'd send it back to S&W and let them replace it. It is sold exclusively as a TARGET pistol and should not have a sloppy trigger.

If in fact the trigger on model 41's is case hardened then stoning it is not something that should be done as the case hardening only penetrates a couple of thousandths thick. Once you cut through that then the metal is relatively soft and at the thinness the engagement surface is, it won't last very long.

At this point I doubt S&W would warranty a messed with trigger and so you might look into replacing it. I suppose you could call S&W but don't hold your breath for them to do it free of charge.