Trigger and hammer pull poundage...
- Thread starter scdjr
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Most Smith revolvers I've experienced (pre 1996) have somewhere between 3 - 3.75 SA pull and around a 11-12.5 pound pull on the DA out of the box. Almost no one ever complains about the SA pull weight as Smiths are known for their light and crisp SA pulls. Some however (especially on CCW J Frames) object to a heavy pull of the DA. Many have actions gone over and or lightened by Pro's and some do it themselves. I caution you about going too light on a weapon that is used for CCW, HD and SD. You don't want a malfunction when it counts.
Some also sort of confuse lightness with smoothness. Most times smoothness of the DA pull can be more important and more meaningful than a lighter gritty action.
That said, I have some DEDICATED competition guns that I have lightened for the sole purpose of RANGE ONLY WORK and I would NEVER use them for a SD situation. As long as you can discipline yourself to totally separate the two purposes, a failure on the Range may only prove to be a Match looser or embarrassment - but not life changing.
I also keep all the original parts, springs, etc. and post a note inside the box along with the original parts that states to someone unaware.......
"This firearm has been modified for competition and has had certain parts modified for light trigger pulls. To restore this gun back to Factory specs, reinstall these original parts". When ever I sell a revolver, the original parts and configuration goes back in. I would NEVER sell a gun with permanent mods to lighten the action - but that's just me.
I also NEVER modify original parts - I always use new or old stock parts for mods so I can easily and readily restore the Revolver back to Factory.
Some also sort of confuse lightness with smoothness. Most times smoothness of the DA pull can be more important and more meaningful than a lighter gritty action.
That said, I have some DEDICATED competition guns that I have lightened for the sole purpose of RANGE ONLY WORK and I would NEVER use them for a SD situation. As long as you can discipline yourself to totally separate the two purposes, a failure on the Range may only prove to be a Match looser or embarrassment - but not life changing.
I also keep all the original parts, springs, etc. and post a note inside the box along with the original parts that states to someone unaware.......
"This firearm has been modified for competition and has had certain parts modified for light trigger pulls. To restore this gun back to Factory specs, reinstall these original parts". When ever I sell a revolver, the original parts and configuration goes back in. I would NEVER sell a gun with permanent mods to lighten the action - but that's just me.
I also NEVER modify original parts - I always use new or old stock parts for mods so I can easily and readily restore the Revolver back to Factory.
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Incredable to say the least. Seems a dependable/reliable 4.5 lb double action only trigger would reach the threshold of "miracle" status in a revolver......."an event not explicable by natural or scientific laws." I guess I'm a skeptic.
I remember back in the mid-70's, in our PPC guns, (which were usually based on the model 10 k-frame) after hours of toil and trouble we were happy if we could reach the 7-8 pound DA area, and still have a reliable range gun that would pass inspection prior to the events.
I remember back in the mid-70's, in our PPC guns, (which were usually based on the model 10 k-frame) after hours of toil and trouble we were happy if we could reach the 7-8 pound DA area, and still have a reliable range gun that would pass inspection prior to the events.
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Toolguy
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Yep - back then 8 lbs. was considered pretty good. My current PPC gun is a reliable 5 lb., most of my other ones are around 6. I do all my own work, actions, barrels from blanks, fiber optic sights, and any accessories. A super light DA is possible, but not easy.
dfariswheel
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There are critical other factors beside just the weight of pull.
There's a lot more to this then just sticking in a couple of springs and expecting things to work properly.
A very light DA pull can cause action jams due to "short stroking" the trigger.
Without enough spring pressure it's often too easy to start pulling the trigger before it's reset.
A lighter trigger is a slower trigger.
Many speed shooters install stronger springs to speed reset of the action.
There's always the issue of misfires due to too-light springs.
This may not manifest itself until the action wears in and gets some fouling.
Then, just when you desperately need it, it misfires.
Years ago, and often still today, people think the lighter a trigger pull is the "better" the action.
The truth is a smoother action is better. A smooth action feels lighter but maintains positive trigger reset and primer ignition.
Dropping in a lighter spring kit can cause a revolver to have push-off problems where the cocked hammer can be pushed and it'll de-cock, or where the hammer won't stay cocked at all.
An experienced pistolsmith knows exactly what to do about this, but many hobbyist don't and may cause damage to the gun trying to correct it.
Last, it's not really possible to give definite spring weights because revolvers vary.
Revolvers of the exact same make and model may have actions that will cause too-light operation and another may be able to use a lighter spring.
Guns are individuals and have to be treated as such.
The only practical way of going below factory specs is to experiment with a spring kit with a variety of spring weights, and using a trigger pull gage so you KNOW what the real weight of the pull is.
Most custom 'smiths have a personal standard below which they won't go without doing a careful verification of reliable operation.
If the customer is looking for an actual Match revolver, that's one thing, but when he just wants a super light pull in a defense gun, that's another story.
Most gun makers have specifications on minimum and maximum DA and SA trigger pull weight, and a smart pistolsmith or do-it-yourself owner is wise to not go below those without doing hundreds of rounds of verification shooting WITH THE AMMO TO BE USED, not some cheap practice ammo that may give different results.
Just dropping in a spring kit and carrying a gun for defense has gotten people very surprised when they died.
There's a lot more to this then just sticking in a couple of springs and expecting things to work properly.
A very light DA pull can cause action jams due to "short stroking" the trigger.
Without enough spring pressure it's often too easy to start pulling the trigger before it's reset.
A lighter trigger is a slower trigger.
Many speed shooters install stronger springs to speed reset of the action.
There's always the issue of misfires due to too-light springs.
This may not manifest itself until the action wears in and gets some fouling.
Then, just when you desperately need it, it misfires.
Years ago, and often still today, people think the lighter a trigger pull is the "better" the action.
The truth is a smoother action is better. A smooth action feels lighter but maintains positive trigger reset and primer ignition.
Dropping in a lighter spring kit can cause a revolver to have push-off problems where the cocked hammer can be pushed and it'll de-cock, or where the hammer won't stay cocked at all.
An experienced pistolsmith knows exactly what to do about this, but many hobbyist don't and may cause damage to the gun trying to correct it.
Last, it's not really possible to give definite spring weights because revolvers vary.
Revolvers of the exact same make and model may have actions that will cause too-light operation and another may be able to use a lighter spring.
Guns are individuals and have to be treated as such.
The only practical way of going below factory specs is to experiment with a spring kit with a variety of spring weights, and using a trigger pull gage so you KNOW what the real weight of the pull is.
Most custom 'smiths have a personal standard below which they won't go without doing a careful verification of reliable operation.
If the customer is looking for an actual Match revolver, that's one thing, but when he just wants a super light pull in a defense gun, that's another story.
Most gun makers have specifications on minimum and maximum DA and SA trigger pull weight, and a smart pistolsmith or do-it-yourself owner is wise to not go below those without doing hundreds of rounds of verification shooting WITH THE AMMO TO BE USED, not some cheap practice ammo that may give different results.
Just dropping in a spring kit and carrying a gun for defense has gotten people very surprised when they died.
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