Trigger pull on Model 29s

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I have messed around with Smith & Wesson revolvers for a long time, and I shoot mine regularly. I have found that over the years the trigger pull improves dramatically without the need for gunsmithing or trigger spring replacement. I have always used a trigger gauge on them. Examples: 32 S&W Long Model of 1903 Fifth Version = 2 1/2 pounds; Model 63 I have owned since 1981 = 2 1/2 pounds; Model 317-1 Airlite 22lr = 3 pounds; S&W Model 15-3 = 3 1/8 pounds; Model 67 I bought a year ago = 3.4 pounds (need to shoot it more). S&W Victory model = 3 1/2 pounds (not shot it very much).
 
I am sure the factory settings varied somewhat and a four pound trigger pull would be within the acceptable range. If the trigger pull works for you, that is all that really matters. I am bothered mostly by trigger creep before the hammer falls. If there is a nice, clean break, the actual weight of the trigger pull doesn't matter all that much to me.

Bill
 
TRIGGER PULL

So you have decided that 3.5 # is best for you on S&W MAGNUMS. Have you ever gone down to 3 or 2.5# ? My Remington 700 deer rifle is down at 2.5# and my Remington 700 LONG RANGE rifle( 1000 yard) is at 1.5#.

Claymore33
 
The rebound spring mostly dictates what the SA pull is. You can try different rebound springs to get different pull weights. The factory will be the heaviest one, I think it's rated at 18#, Wolff makes them in 11# to 16# in 1# increments.
 
All of the S&Ws I shoot have trigger pulls that are more than satisfactory to me. I have never thought about the actual SA pull.

The only revolver I ever lightened the trigger pull on was a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Maximum caliber.

Bill
 
If I recall correctly, my old armorers manual specifies 3.5 pounds minimum for N frames. This was from 1986. My newer N frames with MIM parts seem to run less than that. I shoot mostly double action, but on the long barrel guns single action is preferred and I like around 3.5 for those. But like Doc44 says, the crisp trigger with no creep is the best, even if it is a little heavier. Almost all Smith revolvers have a good trigger pull in single action.
 
I seriously doubt if very many shooters can tell the difference between 3.5 and 4 lbs. Possibly a master level bullseye shooter, (but they are usually working with 2.5).
 
Just about any gun can have a good single action pull. The really good double action pull is what's hard to come by.

Give Miculek's spring kit a try. I started with a beater 1920's (fixed sight) M&P blessed with a 22 lb. DA trigger pull from a Bubba. The one word to describe this gun was "obscene". The DA pull is now 7 lbs.---------------and smoooooooooooooooooooooth!!

And as an aside, according to a S&W catalog from the 1920's, the SA trigger pulls were set at 3-5 on target models, 5-7 on fixed sight guns. I don't know when this started, nor when it stopped, but I checked 14 M&P targets with ship dates from 1908 to 1936, and all of them came in within the 3-5 lb. spec.

Ralph Tremaine

And as another aside, you can set the DA pull wherever you want with this kit, although they caution against anything lower than 7---and the use of Federal ammo at 7. This one of mine eats every brand I've tried-----suggesting perhaps my trigger pull gauge may very well be in need of some TLC. And if you want to increase the pull, you just get a new strain screw, and start over.
 
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Had gunsmith check trigger pull on all my Model 29s. They all came in at a touch under. 4#. Was that the factory standard from 1960-1980?

Claymore33

Just saw your post so I pulled my SN N754XXX from the safe. Measures 3.75 lb avg. Note, I'm original owner and it's been shot very little. Probably one box of mags and maybe two boxes of 44 spl.
 
I seriously doubt if very many shooters can tell the difference between 3.5 and 4 lbs. Possibly a master level bullseye shooter, (but they are usually working with 2.5).
I agree, most cannot accurately tell what the trigger pull is, especially it there is not much creep. That is why I broke down and spent a big old chunk of money and got a $20 trigger gauge from Wheeler Engineering. It was an eyeopener for me. Especially on Rugers.
 
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