something strange happened...

circa1981

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I went to a local gun shop, and I tried out the triggers on a few guns, including a 686+, a Ruger gp100 and a sp101. For some unknown reason, I couldn't pull the double action trigger on the s&w, but was able to on the rugers, the 101 having the easiest trigger pull, which is strange in of itself. All the guns were brand new, and the guy behind the glass had no trouble pulling the double action trigger on the s&w. Can anyone think of an explanation for this?
 
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I'm sorry, I know I posted this in the wrong place. Please move it.
 
Nothing that a trigger job won't fix, I am sure.

In fact, if you are comfortable pulling off the grips and side plate, you could install a Wolff Power Rib Type 2 mainspring and (optionally) a Reduced Power Rebound spring and dramatically reduce the trigger pull compared to stock springs. I saw it on YouTube, so it must be true. ;) And, it looked easy to me.

PowerRib.JPG


Wolff Springs For The S&W 686P - YouTube
 
I went to a local gun shop, and I tried out the triggers on a few guns, including a 686+, a Ruger gp100 and a sp101. For some unknown reason, I couldn't pull the double action trigger on the s&w, but was able to on the rugers, the 101 having the easiest trigger pull, which is strange in of itself. All the guns were brand new, and the guy behind the glass had no trouble pulling the double action trigger on the s&w. Can anyone think of an explanation for this?

It is possible that the cylinder wasn't latched completely when you tried it, and the salesman simply happened to close it all the way when he took it and tried it.
 
It is possible that the cylinder wasn't latched completely when you tried it, and the salesman simply happened to close it all the way when he took it and tried it.

Can't be, he then gave it back to me and I still couldn't budge it. It's so strange, especially because the Rugers were great, and their suposed to have inferior triggers.
 
Can't be, he then gave it back to me and I still couldn't budge it. It's so strange, especially because the Rugers were great, and their suposed to have inferior triggers.

The brand new rugers are pretty amazing. I've seen a couple brand new smiths through the local gunstore that had some serious QC issues. A brand new J-Frame shouldn't have a trigger that is difficult to pull, gritty, with terribly pronounced stages.

I handled a new SP101 the other day that I swear locked up as well as a brand new Python. I couldn't believe it. I'm not sure what Ruger is up to exactly, but whatever it is I like it.
 
Can't be, he then gave it back to me and I still couldn't budge it. It's so strange, especially because the Rugers were great, and their suposed to have inferior triggers.

Not trying to be a wise guy in any way, but how old are you? It sounds like you need some strength training in your hands. Get a rubber ball/tennis ball etc., and do as many squeezes with each hand as you can. Wait a few minutes and repeat. Do this every night for a month or two, and you'll be surprised at how much better your grip and hand strength will be.

Ruger has improved their once horrific triggers dramatically, while IMO, S&W has gone downhill, but certainly no where near enough that an average early teenage girl would have any trouble pulling the trigger through a D/D pull completely.
 
I figured out what the problem was. Even though I'm right handed, my left hand is much stronger, so I was able to pull the trigger with ease. Don't ask me how that works.
 
I had a cyst in my right wrist for a couple of years, had it removed over 10 years ago, and I have noticed a difference, but I still have to write with my right hand.
 
I bet there's some nerve damage there.Have you tried shooting left handed yet? It feels awkward at first,but it's fairly easy to learn.
 
I started fooling with it a few months ago due to fading eyesight,but I found it quite easy lol.Your kind of limited to single action for now unless you can build that hand up.Give it a try.
 
Unexplainable loss of hand strength without pain or a decrease in sensation can be indicative of a condition called radial nerve entrapment.
If you've been losing hand strength, I'd suggest you check with you doctor and ask if it could have neurological origins.
If caught and treated early enough, strength can be regained. If, however, the condition is neglected, it can become permanent and degenerative.
There's no reason a young fellow should have trouble with the double action trigger pull of a Smith and Wesson revolver in good working order.
 
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I had a cyst in my right wrist for a couple of years, had it removed over 10 years ago, and I have noticed a difference, but I still have to write with my right hand.
Certainly, finding a way to improve nerve function and regain your normal strength is worth pursuing.

Here's hoping your hand responds well to whatever treatment you can get.

In the meantime, if you "must have" this pistol or another similar revolver, trigger jobs are pretty affordable. Also, as described in my earlier post in this thread, changing two springs is likely to be sufficient and could be done quickly by almost any smith if you prefer not tackling it yourself.

Depending on your relationship with the shop where you saw this revolver, you might be able to pay them for a spring change and make the final purchase contingent on the results.

Best of luck, sir!
 
By all means you should learn to shoot with your non-dominate hand...it could save your life someday.

It may feel awkward at first, but keep at it. Keep your grip
high and tight. You may do better than you think...:D
 
I went back and tried a model 10 K frame, and I can pull THAT trigger all day with my right hand. It's strange how much of a difference there is between a K frame and a L frame.
 
1981.. I'm not a Doctor but you might want to have an EMG done on your hands. I had a cyst removed by the butcher Air Force Doctor in April of 1981... Now my pain specialist Dr. wants to work on both hands but the VA is only to touch them. He tells me the NEGELECT from the VA and the fact I have now torn my dominate arm from the shoulder 2 times is causing my hand to "die"... Yea, I can not shoot with it anymore and typing is ****.. Sometimes my hand now has "Turates syndrum".. Some fingers make involuntary movements and it is crazy with pain. Sleep? That is optional anymore.. Get it fixed! Kyle
 
Not familiar with that firearm just pure speculation on my part here but it is possible that you were pushing the trigger to one side and it was getting caught or binding as a result?
 
I went back and tried a model 10 K frame, and I can pull THAT trigger all day with my right hand. It's strange how much of a difference there is between a K frame and a L frame.
Could you get enough of your finger on the trigger? I wonder if your experience might be a result of the longer reach to the trigger on the larger L frame.

For me, if only the tip of my finger reaches the trigger, any firearm with a heavy trigger pull is less than fun to shoot.

I also remember seeing a review of an L frame, S&W Night Guard series by a fellow who replaced the original grips that cover the backstrap because he could not shoot that revolver accurately using only the tip of his finger. Something to consider . . . ;)
 
Actually the K frame had had a beefier grip then the L frame. Go figure.
 
It's possible that the 10 you tried had a Wolff or some other brand of spring kit in it to reduce pull weight. I have never been able to tell any difference in the feel of the pull between my stock K and L frames.
 
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