Target Hammers and Target Triggers

[larryofcc]

Reading my S&W book, I see where it states .400 target triggers for the M17 and .500 target triggers for the M14. I had no idea these parts were different. Was this the norm when ordering special for a target trigger? Thanks, Big Larry

 

[steveno]

I have a M-17 & M-57 with .500 triggers. I have a M25-5 and another M-57 with the .400 triggers. I don't remember the year but I believe the change was made to keep the trigger inside of the trigger guard so it didn't get caught on the inside of a holster.

 

[tennexplorer]

The target trigger was originally .500 inch wide and serrated. In the mid 70's, the .400 inch smooth target trigger was introduced. About the same time the serrated target trigger was narrowed to .400 inch. Probably two reasons - production simplification and what was said above. The .400 inch trigger did not hand out the sides of the trigger guard like the .500 did.

 

[larryofcc]

Thanks. Great info, especially the time frame. Big Larry

 

[DCWilson]

Tennexplorer, that helps me a lot, too. I have been trying mightily to understand target hammers, semi-target hammers, and all widths of target triggers in postwar S&W revolvers, but somehow I am just not getting there. Seems like there are several subtle variations, but maybe I'm just confused and seeing more variety than there actually is.

I know when I got my Model 57 a few years ago it came with a target trigger that looked like a grooved snow shovel. I guess that must be the .500" trigger. I can't imagine one that width on a K-frame revolver.

 

[steveno]

my M-57 with the .500 trigger is a 1977 year gun and my M25-5 with the .400 trigger is a 1980 year gun to narrow down the time frame of the change over

 

[larryofcc]

It would stand to reason the target accessories on an "N" frame being wider than a "K", but they did it anyway.A lot of the "K"'s you see have been upgraded to target and, like the man says, you cannot be positive without a letter. I would bet 98% or better "K"s came as standard up to around 1953. I do have a M.I.B. Combat Masterpiece shipped 11-1953 with target stocks,(unrelieved), and target hammer. I also have a 1953 vintage K22 shipped with a target hammer. All my earlier "K" revolvers are all standard. I have a 1957 vintage K38 4 screw lettered with .500 hammer and .500 trigger. Big Larry

 

[larryofcc]

my M-57 with the .500 trigger is a 1977 year gun and my M25-5 with the .400 trigger is a 1980 year gun to narrow down the time frame of the change over

Funny. My M25-5 from 1979 has both .500 TT's. # N 661109,no XXX's. It also has the pinned bbl. Big Larry

 

[Muley Gil]

Just remember, S&W used to sell the target triggers and hammers to their dealers in bulk and then later on, as accessories bubble packed on cardboard hangers.

At one time, the hot ticket for police officers and sheriff deputies in east and central Alabama was a M19 or M66, with target hammer and trigger. I changed over a pile of revolvers to the TT & TH configuration for my fellow LEOs.

As time went on (mid 1970s into the 1990s), more officers wanted the smooth triggers (.312 and .400), instead of the serrated target triggers. I was happy to oblige, selling them the parts they wanted, and usually keeping the older, narrow grooved triggers.

Then, cops went to semiautos, mainly Glocks, and the revolver modification market for LEOs went south.