Target Hammer/Trigger

[Ray]

Howdy, happy owner of a 1958 mod. 17 no dash here, but I would be glad to add a target hammer and trigger to it.
Any info on where to order them and if there is any professional gunsmithing necessary in the instalation process ? Or is it a thing I can do myself?

Thanks, regards, Ray

 

[Muley Gil]

Check Brownells, Gun Parts, Smith & Wesson and of course, the Forum Classifieds.

Fit is an iffy thing. I have swapped in sets that were perfect and other times, they had to be fitted.

 

[bananaman]

If it were mine, I would not do it. Only my opinion. My 17-2, is from 1964. It has target hammer, but not trigger. Don't feel like I am missing anything. It shoots so well! Bob

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Ray, being in Brazil, may have a problem ordering gun parts from the US. Most of the businesses are not licensed to export parts. Ray, I would check with S&W in Brazil...or their agent. We often find parts on eBay but the laws in Brazil may prohibit selling via them.

 

[H Richard]

If you ever desire to shoot it in double action, you probably won't like the .500" target trigger. It was designed strictly for single action shooting. The hammer, yes, most everyone likes the target hammer.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Hi Ray,

I have a K-frame M&P from the mid-'50s with a target hammer and target trigger. I recently had my smith install the same on a Model 31 (.32 Regulation Police).

Nearly every shot I take is double action, and I really like the set up on both guns. I wish I had a TT and TH on every S&W I own.

Everyone is different. I'm guessing you have some experience with revolvers that are TT and TH equipped so you already know what to expect.

Hope you're able to find the parts and get them installed.

Happy shooting.

Bob

 

[BruceM]

You may be able to just drop the trigger and hammer in but be sure to use the DA sear from the original trigger. That is the part that generally but not always needs fitting.

Bruce

 

[Muley Gil]

You may be able to just drop the trigger and hammer in but be sure to use the DA sear from the original trigger. That is the part that generally but not always needs fitting.

Bruce

I believe you meant to say "DA sear from the original hammer" instead of trigger.

 

[BruceM]

I believe you meant to say "DA sear from the original hammer" instead of trigger.

Oops! Brainworms due to advancing Geezerdom. Don't you folks know by now you're supposed to do what I mean, not what I said!



Bruce

 

[damascusdave]

I am not sure if they are available but back when I got my Model 28 in the early 70's I simply added a trigger shoe. Sometime later in that same decade I bought a nice used Model 18 that came with TH/TT. Neither gun was ever shot in double action mode more than a few shots, and I suspect I never fired the Model 18 that way. The truth is I enjoyed shooting the Model 28 with the shoe every bit as much as I did the Model 18.
And yes I surely do wish I had both of those guns today. Although 4" barrel guns are prohibited now in Canada there appears to have been an option at one time for them to have been grandfathered in. The Model 28 is a 6 inch. I just hope whoever owns them today is still appreciating their fine shooting qualities. No need for either of those guns to get any trigger work. Both broke cleanly in single action mode at right around 3 pounds and the double action modes were well under 10.

 

[Muley Gil]

Two things happen when you attach a trigger shoe. First, it mars the side of the trigger. Second, the shoe can creep downward and block the trigger from going completely to the rear. You do not want that to happen on a handgun that you are depending on for self defense!!!

 

[iPac]

If it were mine, I would not do it. Only my opinion. My 17-2, is from 1964. It has target hammer, but not trigger. Don't feel like I am missing anything. It shoots so well! Bob

I'm not a S&W expert, but your gun appears to have the semi-target hammer and standard trigger, just like my 17-4.

I like the target hammers, but the target triggers aren't a big deal at all. In fact, I'm completely fine with the regular stuff on my 17-4, but everyone is different.

 

[chief38]

You can usually get NOS Hammers, Triggers, etc. at gun shows. If you don't have shows in your area, try Popperts, Jack First, Numrich, Bob's Gun Shop, etc. You can also find them on ebay - but read add carefully!

I have my competition Revolver - a 4" Combat Masterpiece set up with a wide Target Hammer & slightly thinner Semi Target Trigger and I love it! The Hammer has been pulled back so many times the knurling is actually almost worn flat!

 

[oysterer]

those older guns are so well fitted. Messing with it and it will never feel the same. Not Bubba it.

 

[Muley Gil]

those older guns are so well fitted. Messing with it and it will never feel the same. Not Bubba it.

If done correctly, changing the hammer and/or trigger will yield the same or better fit.

Back when police officers carried mostly revolvers, I swapped in many a target hammer and/or trigger.

 

[Ray]

Guess I´m convinced I won´t tamper with it.
Thanks, regards, Ray

 

[chief38]

those older guns are so well fitted. Messing with it and it will never feel the same. Not Bubba it.

I'll agree with ya about the well fitted part but beg to disagree about changing a Hammer & Trigger when done properly. When ever I change them I do so as "a set". If I install a new Hammer, I'll usually install a new Trigger too and keep the sets together as they do sort of mate to each other. If I want to reinstall the originals it's a 10 minute job and no fitting or messing around required!

Sometimes the new parts will need minor fitting (about 20 minutes work) but afterwards work as good or better than the original, assuming one does know how to properly fit them. Sometimes you actually luck out and they drop in (about a 50% - 50% chance) in my personal experience.

For guys who are not mechanically inclined, don't understand the dynamics of a S&W Revolver and are unwilling to properly learn, buy the correct tools and to do the leg work (so to speak) I think they should seek out a Pro GS if they are interested - but again, any descentt GS should be easily able to do this job and do it correctly. I don't think changing a trigger or hammer should be a big deal or mess up a S&W Revolver if done properly.

 

[chief38]

IMHO Trigger Shoes are dangerous and will mark up the sides of the trigger. I must have dozens of them laying around my parts bin but I never use them. I honestly can't even remember where I got them. Maybe from my Dad's parts I inherited and I think I did buy a few Revolvers with them on if I recall correctly.

 

[iPac]

IMHO Trigger Shoes are dangerous and will mark up the sides of the trigger. I must have dozens of them laying around my parts bin but I never use them. I honestly can't even remember where I got them. Maybe from my Dad's parts I inherited and I think I did buy a few Revolvers with them on if I recall correctly.

Oh, the trigger shoes.

About the only thing they are good for is putting two screw gouges in the side of a trigger that are too deep to remove.

No thanks, and I won't buy another gun with one on unless dirt cheap and not worried about condition.