Strain Screw Adjustment

[rtbaron]

I have a 686 Plus. According to Smith and Wesson Technical support the Trigger pull for double action is between 8 to 10 pound pull.

Everytime I go to the range and shoot 200 rounds, the screw loosens up and will get so light it fails to shoot.

Is there any way of securing the strain screw to the mainspring and hold the adjustment. Will locktite do the trick.....????

 

[Cholo]

A little blue Loctite will do the trick if you first degrease the threads in the hole and on the screw.

 

[rtbaron]

Cholo...thanks for the help..

 

[Neumann]

The strain screw is a retainer, not an adjustment. It should be bottomed out with about 30 in-lb torque. You should not need Loc-Tite if it is torqued properly.

8-10 pounds sounds light for a DA trigger that has not been through S&W charm school. The norm is closer to 12 pounds. My experience is that if the DA feels good, the strain screw is loose.

You can lighten the trigger pull safely by replacing the main spring with a lighter one from Wolff. It works best if you also replace the rebound spring, which is part of the Wolff kit. Be advised that lightening the main spring can result in light strikes and possible FTF situations.

You can also shorten the tension screw by grinding it (and installing it tight).

 

[Alk8944]

The strain screw is not an adjustment. Simply tighten it and it is where it should be. If it is tight it won't loosen.

I suspect you are trying to back it out to lighten trigger pull and it loosens under the vibration of shooting.

 

[H Richard]

You can do more reducing the trigger pull by replacing the rebound slide spring with a 14 lb spring than you can by monkeying with the strain screw or the mainspring. I never replace the main spring, I like 100% reliability.

 

[old bear]

I always like to start soft and then increase from there, so if you have to use some sort of thread locker, try clear nail polish before using Lock tight.