Trigger Question

[Delta Expatriate]

I am a very new member of the forum, but have visited it often over the course of several years, and have already learned a great deal from viewing many of the posts and threads. I hope I am posting this in the correct sub-forum.

This may be very basic, but I do need to ask some questions regarding the trigger on a Model 28-2 (serial # puts it around 1966-67). It has what I believe is the serrated service trigger. For double action shooting at the range, I prefer a smooth and wider combat trigger. It is a good "shooter grade" gun, and I do not have a problem having the trigger changed, although I would keep the original trigger.

My questions are:

1. What smooth combat trigger(s) would have used around 1966-67? I have seen several .310 combat triggers for sale on one of the well known auction sites, but for some reason, I thought there might have been an 0.400 combat trigger(?). I could very well be wrong.

2. Although I think they were much more common on the 27-2, would the 28-2 be "out of place" (for lack of better words) if fitted with the wide (0.500) target trigger and hammer? I do realize the target trigger is not smooth but I have shot other S & W revolvers with them, and if I were to have a serrated trigger, I prefer the wider trigger. The 28-2 wears period correct magnas, and I think there might be some concerns with magnas and the target trigger. Although I prefer the magnas, if I decided to go the target trigger route, I might look into some Ahrends grips.

3. What questions should I ask a gunsmith before having the trigger swap done (trying to make sure it is done correctly)? I might understand what needs to be done, but would not attempt it myself - at least not at this time.

While not opposed to modifying the revolver, I would like to generally keep it "period correct."

Any insight and assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

[k22fan]

S&W did not manufacture smooth triggers wider than .265" before the late 1970s. You could pretend to have period custom gunsmithing but that's about it. S&W copied customized "combat" triggers and introduced .312" smooth triggers as part of the new 586. Essentially the same trigger was used a little earlier in the Model 19 Texas Ranger commemorative but S&W called it something else IIRC. Target hammers and triggers were special order options for 28s. Magna stocks do not interfere in any way with target triggers. There are .400" smooth target triggers. They just don't date to the 1960s.

K, L, and N frames use the same triggers. Ordinarily they drop right in but sometimes cause small differences in carry up or trigger pull. If you are comfortable tapping the side plate up and disassembling your 28 you may as well try the trigger yourself before going to a gunsmith.

Edit to add: By PMs I have been reminded to never say S&W never made something. Some revolvers were custom ordered with wide smooth triggers during the 1950s. However, those triggers are rare. Here's a link to a thread that discusses them. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/338789-very-interesting

 

[Nightowl]

To remain period correct, I believe that you are restricted to the .500 target trigger or the .265 service trigger. If Smith made other triggers they were not commonly used on production guns.
I used to shoot PPC and tried the target triggr and found it lacking. I went back to the .265 standard serrated trigger and it will do what needs to be done very well. When the .312 smooth trigger arrived in the L frames, I switched to it most guns doing double action work. If I buy a gun with the .265 service trigger, I just leave it as it works fine.
If you want a smooth trigger, its hard to beat the .312 even though it would not be period correct, but who cares if you like shooting it!
By the way, the older forged triggers and hammers are getting harder to find, so good luck.

 

[BigBill]

I think that www.e-gun parts.com had some s&w triggers but I'm not sure of the width. You could look.

 

[Big Cholla]

I have a fellow gunsmith friend here in the Vegas Valley that has the largest selection of new OEM S&W triggers that I have ever seen. I will contact him and see if he has anything close..............

 

[Big Cholla]

Sorry, I checked with him and every trigger he has in stock is grooved. Find a pistolsmith near you and take him the grooved trigger of your choice of width. He should be able to smooth face and polish it in about 30 minutes. I know I have done a bunch of them over the years. ..........

 

[chief38]

Just my own personal thing, but when I change out the trigger on a gun I usually change out the hammer as well. This way if any fitting is required I can still swap the matched and fitted set back and forth without any Smithing at a later date. The only exception is if I never intend to put the original or another one in said gun.

I also keep any parts original to a specific gun in a plastic bag in the original box so if for any reason the gun is to be restored to Factory, everything is right there and no fitting should be required.

 

[kenjen]

you could also try a trigger shoe

 

[chief38]

Trigger shoes mar up the original trigger (set screw indentations and scratches) and IMHO are somewhat dangerous because they have a tendency to snag on clothing and holsters. They used to be a big thing but their usage and popularity has fallen off dramatically. I actually have a dozen or so of them that friends have given me after they have taken them off their guns. Don't even know why I still have them and I should just toss 'em out. I could no even give them away in good conscience knowing how dangerous they are.

 

[Delta Expatriate]

Thanks, Everyone.

I appreciate the education on trigger width. I knew about the standard service trigger and target trigger, and I had thought there was a smooth combat trigger option as well. Now I know there was not. I don't have to have the gun absolutely period correct, so I might still try to find the smooth .312 combat trigger, and have it installed.

I actually had another 28-2 around 10-12 years ago that I sold to finance another purchase. It had a trigger shoe, and I remember how much smoother the perceived trigger pull seemed with the wide face. Since then I have learned of the safety issues with them and I did not want to go that route. I thought I had read of a similar safety concern with the 0.500 target trigger (wider than the trigger guard?) when using the thinner magna grips and holstering the gun? Any further education is appreciated.

For now, I will leave the gun as it is, with the thought of getting the 0.312 combat trigger (or a service trigger ground smooth) installed in the future.

I appreciate everyone's help. Thanks!

Delta Expatriate

 

[H Richard]

I have removed the serrations form several standard service triggers over the years (and contoured the edges) for better double action use. Why not just buy another trigger, and grind out the serrations (them polish it out) if you want to save the original trigger. For any double action use you won't be disappointed.

 

[Delta Expatriate]

Thanks, H Richard - I am thinking about doing that.

 

[weatherby]

Sorry the picture isn't very good but this is a .400 smooth one on one of my K22's...I don't think they were very common

 

[Bastogne71]

The Standard Catalog of S&W says the model 28-2 was available with the serrated .265 trigger or the .400 smooth trigger. The Catalog does not give the time frame that the .400 trigger was available so I will defer to K22fan on that issue. My NYSP model 28-2 SN 544xxx has the .400 smooth trigger, white outline rear sight, and the red ramp front sight. This I believe was the NYSP special order configuration. If you prefer the smooth trigger for a shooter grade revolver, Go for it.