Shooting my recent purchase, Model 17-4

[Firemanjones]

Since I purchased my .22 S&W, I waited to shoot it up at my WNC home instead of the indoor range in Fl.
I am very happy with it.
It is so much fun shooting off my deck at steel targets, hanging cans and plastic containers filled with colored water instead of paper targets at the indoor range.
I am used too shooting my .22 Ruger pistols and my Beretta dedicated 92 conversion .22, and going through ammo. With the revolver it slows down the action and is also more challenging shooting a double action. I enjoy the challenge, that is why I do not use scopes or red dots.
Since this is a target gun, I would like to have some work done to it to bring the trigger pull lower like I did with my Rugers. So I figured I would ask your advice on weather I should send it to S&W or find a good gunsmith in South Florida to do this modification.

 

[Macinaw]

If you lighten the springs on a 22 revolver you may get FTF. 22's need a strong hammer hit to reliably fire.

I have been shooting a 617 in Steel Challenge competition and have left the springs stock. The trigger pull is heavy. But, I have not had any FTF.

 

[fyimo]

I agree that changing the springs could lead to failures to fire so I probably wouldn't do it. It also depends how much you think the gun has been shot in the past because a lot of guns have the trigger smooth out after shooting a lot of rounds. I had a 686 that was very stiff when new but after 500 rounds it had developed a sweet trigger.

 

[BigBill]

Put some only paste or anti seeze on the trigger sear to smooth out the let
off plus lighten up the trigger pull too.

 

[Firemanjones]

What if I honed the sear with a stone, would that help reduce the trigger pull on a revolver?

 

[armorer951]

trigger pull

What is the trigger pull now? Are you talking about the DA or SA pull weight? Since it's not a carry gun, you could experiment with some different weight Wolff or other branded rebound and/or mainsprings....or lighten the existing mainspring a bit by backing out the strain screw 1/2 a turn or so.
I definately would advise you not to modify or alter the bevel on the trigger or the SA cocking notch on the hammer. If (when) you damage them, forged replacement parts are hard (impossible) to find, and are very expensive. You should be able to get a reliable, comfortable trigger pull without modifying or "honing" any of the internal parts.

 

[Firemanjones]

I was talking about the DA pull. Would you recommend a polished the sear and hammer?

 

[Firemanjones]

What lb. rebound spring would you recommend for the Model 17? I see there are 5 different weights in Wolf springs.

 

[armorer951]

If it has been shot some, you shouldn't have to "polish" anything. I think Wolff/Brownells sells several weights of rebound (trigger return) springs. If you want to order individual springs, the stock OEM spring is usually around 16-17 pounds. The 13 lb aftermarket spring may work, but you may need to stay with the 14 lb spring to get a reliable, "crisp" trigger return. (I wouldn't go below the 13lb spring) Remember also that using too light a reb. spring can adversely affect the single action as well, causing what's called "push off", and too light an SA pull. (safety issue) If you decide to order the aftermarket springs, you should be able to achieve a reliable, safe trigger pull, without modifying or damaging (stoning or polishing) the internal parts. If you have any safety concerns, try to find a S&W revolver armorer in your area who can check the gun for you.

 

[Firemanjones]

Thanks very much, I think I will give the springs a try, I can always go back to the the original that way.

 

[Firemanjones]

I had ordered the spring kit and installed it back in late August with the 13# rebound spring and the mainspring.
Last week I brought it with me to WNC and fired it for the first time since the spring change.
What a difference it made. I am very happy with the result.
This is a target gun and not used for self defense.