trigger improvement Jframe

[goatkeeper]

Hello everyone, I haven't posted on this forum but looking for
info to improve the trigger on my 642-1. Midway has wolff springs, Wilson custom combat spring kit and the apex tactical duty kit. I have used the wolff in my Ruger sp101 but would like
to make the right purchase for my snubby. I do use the snubby as one of my ccw. Any help is appreciated.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I have replaced the return spring on several "J" frames with lower lbs.(11-12 lbs)
I also prefer a smooth combat trigger.
Not hard to do either one your self.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

If it is used for CCW I would leave the main spring alone.Just replace the rebound spring and smooth things up and thats it.

 

[goatkeeper]

I think I might try the wilson combat trigger kit.

 

[Hapworth]

Might want to run a search -- this has been discussed many, many times.

As mentioned earlier, tinkering with the mainspring can cause ignition issues. A lighter rebound spring might make marginal differences in trigger lightening but nothing significant, and if your action isn't perfectly smooth a lighter rebound spring will accentuate the feel of the hitches.

J-frames by their nature will always have a little heavier pull because of the smaller leverage points. Your best option is a gentle action job smoothing all the load bearing contact points throughout the revolver; best if done by a qualified S&W revolversmith, or you if you have the knowledge; then, maybe, a lighter rebound spring.

If you make any changes to your revolver, test it at he range with your carry load to ensure reliable function before staking your life on it. This is even more true if you install a lighter mainspring, which might take experimentation with ammo before finding one that'll ignite.

 

[66snub]

Might want to run a search -- this has been discussed many, many times.

As mentioned earlier, tinkering with the mainspring can cause ignition issues. A lighter rebound spring might make marginal differences in trigger lightening but nothing significant, and if your action isn't perfectly smooth a lighter rebound spring will accentuate the feel of the hitches.

J-frames by their nature will always have a little heavier pull because of the smaller leverage points. Your best option is a gentle action job smoothing all the load bearing contact points throughout the revolver; best if done by a qualified S&W revolversmith, or you if you have the knowledge; then, maybe, a lighter rebound spring.

If you make any changes to your revolver, test it at he range with your carry load to ensure reliable function before staking your life on it. This is even more true if you install a lighter mainspring, which might take experimentation with ammo before finding one that'll ignite.

I couldn't have said it better. I do this exact thing with any J frames I carry, including my back up piece that I carry on duty.

 

[tomcatt51]

...looking for info to improve the trigger on my 642-1...I do use the snubby as one of my ccw...

Apex Tactical has a spring kit for "new style" Duty/Carry J frames.

https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid49.html

 

[Waywatcher]

Hello everyone, I haven't posted on this forum but looking for
info to improve the trigger on my 642-1. Midway has wolff springs, Wilson custom combat spring kit and the apex tactical duty kit. I have used the wolff in my Ruger sp101 but would like
to make the right purchase for my snubby. I do use the snubby as one of my ccw. Any help is appreciated.

Since you are new here and you don't provide any background, I'm going to start from scratch.

I don't recommend changing trigger weights. At all. I don't mess with them. The spring weights were selected by an engineer to provide the best performance in the widest operation parameters. Lightening the mainspring increases lock time and decreases firing pin force. Lightening the return spring makes the trigger return sluggish.

Here's what a factory stock J frame (442) can do at 7 yards--only change to the gun is the grips:



This is 10 shots, standing, double action, with +P defensive ammunition. The group is less than 1-1/2 inches.

These guns are perfectly serviceable right out of the box and the best thing that you can do to shoot it better is practice.

 

[user151]

My opinion only, but I agree with waywatcher, though for a different reason...

If you have become familiar with your gun at the range...
and if you carry for SD...
and have to use it for SD...
the last thing you will be concerned about, or even aware of, is the trigger action.

Edit: Well I have to take some of that back re waywatchers comment "The spring weights were selected by an engineer to provide the best performance in the widest operation parameters."
... that is not strictly correct... I live in Mass. and to be "mass compliant" guns shipped here have to have a 10 pound minimum trigger pull (selected by politicians), whereas the standard (selected by an engineer) J-frame has about a 5.5 pound pull.... So to have a good trigger, order the Apex or other kit ...
A heavy DA trigger will lead to missed shots, especially under stress.

 

[66 shooter]

Shoot it...a lot. Two benefits, the action will smooth out on it's own and you can get a lot of practice.

 

[kilo charlie]

I put and Apex kit in my 642, and could not be happier. I can actually hit the target with it now.

 

[GFU]

It seems most replies are discussing whether you should use aftermarket parts or not.

The way i read your post is you are looking for a comparison between the available kits.

I have not used any of the kits because I don't use a j frame, but I know several who have used them for years. They reported benefits with no problems after lots of rounds.

since you have used these in your Ruger I will assume you can work that out on your own.

I remember an old thread discussing the wolf/Wilson kits and they seemed equal. The Apex seems the stand out as it includes their firing pin which many prefer. There are threads discussing firing pin issues and the potential advantages of the Apex pins. My guess is the springs are all about the same between the three.

search for old threads and hopefully someone who has used these kits will post some feedback.

 

[Louchia]

I agree with waywatcher, and would ad that changing to the Hogue grips shown may improve the grip and comfort of shooting with the 10-12 lb trigger. It did for me.

 

[stu1ritter]

I have done triggers on perhaps 20 J frames by now and have worked up a system that gives a very smooth and easy to control trigger. I will not touch the mainspring as that is a guarantee of misfire along the way. I polish parts and lighten the rebound slide spring by a couple of pounds, no more, or the trigger return becomes sluggish,or, as Jerry M. says, you can outrun the trigger. There are little tricks one learns over time. Use a cratex rod to polish out the ripples on the inside of the rebound slide, on and on. Much better to have a smoooooth double action trigger with no change in pull from start to finish, which allows catching the let off point and holding it if needed, than a lighter pull that causes miss-fires. J frames with properly polished components are a real pleasure to shoot double action.

 

[Hapworth]

...whereas the standard (selected by an engineer) J-frame has about a 5.5 pound pull....

First up: welcome to the forum.

Second: you mean in single action? Most S&W revolvers have a single action pull closer to 3.5lbs, though there is much debate about whether to try single action in a defense situation. But double action, most J-frames actually have a factory 12-14lb pull.