Trigger Spring in a S&W 4046

[JWFilips]

Greetings,
I am new to this forum: my first post here. Looking forward to learning more about S&W pistols. I have been shooting most of my life but only recently starting shooting handguns almost exclusively. What a challenge for my old tied eyes but I'm loving it. I only have one S&W handgun at this time a Model 4046, although I do have a number of Rugers (revolvers & autos).

I have as much fun working on them as shooting them. I really like my 4046 but I'm really having a rough time with the DAO trigger pull on it. It needs some tuning but this pistol doesn't seem to have much written anywhere that I can find about tuning it up. I thought maybe some of you on this Forum may know.

Would any of you out there know how difficult it would be to change out the stock main spring on a Smith & Wesson 4046 with one of the Wolfe lighter main springs that they make for this pistol? I would like to lighten it's double action pull (DAO which is pretty stiff). I have worked on a number of different autos before so I'm somewhat familiar with working on the internals but since I really haven't seen too much posted on this pistol as far as upgrading it I just wanted to get an idea what I'm in for. Not sure if I will need any special S&W tools
Thanks

 

[S&Wman]

Welcome:
The majority of your heavy DAO pull is caused by overcoming the mainspring resistance. Only a small amount of the trigger pull is caused by the trigger spring. The built in safety of the DAO is the mainspring resistance, preventing an accidental discharge.
I'm not advocating this but you could try a lighter mainspring or the mainspring in this kit which is lighter than the stock mainspring: Bullseye Trapper Spring Kit - S&W Full Size 9mm : Gunsmithing Tools & Supplies at GunBroker.com
In regard to the trigger spring it can be changed with some mechanical skills.
If you find the DAO trigger pull of your 4046 to be too much you could try a DA/SA pistol which changes to single action after the first DA firing.
HTH

 

[Dot_mdb]

Go to Wolff Springs. I think they mention that there were two different weight main springs for the 4046. The lighter one was 16lbs. I have that spring in my 4046. It produces a trigger pull of about 10lbs. But the pull is short and smooth allowing good defensive work out to 25 yards or more.

Bill

 

[JWFilips]

Go to Wolff Springs. I think they mention that there were two different weight main springs for the 4046. The lighter one was 16lbs. I have that spring in my 4046. It produces a trigger pull of about 10lbs. But the pull is short and smooth allowing good defensive work out to 25 yards or more.

Bill

That is what I was looking at on Wolffs website the 16 lb. Did you install it yourself? I ripped apart a number of autos before but never a S&W 3G (Someone told me you need special S&W only tools)

 

[Dot_mdb]

The hammer spring is under the back of the grip. You will need a punch to remove the pin near the butt and then remove the grip.

In my opinion the grip removal is a pain no matter how many times I do it but I've always gotten it off and back on. You have to be careful when replacing the grip to make sure you don't damage the side plate. There are a lot of threads discussing this.

Bill

 

[JWFilips]

Am I treading on some forbidden ground here? Why is there nothing out there for ripping apart the S&W 4046 & replacing hammer springs? I have gleaned a few tips on removing the grips & replacing them carefully but there seems to be nothing written on tuning & tweaking this pistol.

 

[Dot_mdb]

Most of these guns were undoubtedly police guns and the design was produced with that market in mind. With the lighter spring the trigger pull will be about 10 to 11 pounds and the gun will be quite usable for defensive purposes out to about 25 yards or more.

If you can shoot a double action revolver, you will be fine with this trigger. Lowering the trigger pull weight any further will likely make the pistol less reliable. Like most third gen pistols, when left as designed they will be very reliable which is the most important thing for a self defense weapon.

There are quite a few members of this forum who appreciate the guns for what they are. The Smith DAO guns usually have an exceptionally smooth trigger and the original version have quite a short trigger pull.

So in answer to your question, put in the 16 pound spring and learn to shoot it in stock form. You will have an excellent gun. Just don't expect it to be a 1911.

Before you go out and buy any springs you should try this. Make sure the gun is not loaded. Place the back edge of the butt on a bathroom scale with your finger on the trigger and use your other hand to balance the gun in the upward position near the muzzle. Note the weight on the scale's dial. Depress the trigger until the hammer falls. If the deflection of the needle on the scale is about 10 pounds you don't have to mess with the spring because you already have the light one in there.

Bill

 

[JWFilips]

So in answer to your question, put in the 16 pound spring and learn to shoot it in stock form. You will have an excellent gun. Just don't expect it to be a 1911.


Bill

Bill I think your last post made me finally understand...Thanks
I love the pistol but would have liked to get a shorter pull out of it ( I have one with a very long pull) actually the trigger weight isn't that bad it just takes a long time for the hammer to finally come down. I will put a trigger pull scale on it to see where I at.
I'm use to tuning & tweaking my other autos ......Thought this onw would be similar It is what it is ( & I still like it)
Jim

 

[Stevie]

My 4046 police trade in had a fairly crotchity trigger pull when I got it.

I kept lubing it up with 'Break-free' and working it..and it got pretty decent..or I got quite decent with it..one or the other.

Actually..I think the trigger got smoother.

 

[KPSqured]

I replaced the mainspring and trigger spring in my 4586. The trigger was already smooth, but just a little heavy. The trigger pull is really nice now.

 

[JWFilips]

Before you go out and buy any springs you should try this. Make sure the gun is not loaded. Place the back edge of the butt on a bathroom scale with your finger on the trigger and use your other hand to balance the gun in the upward position near the muzzle. Note the weight on the scale's dial. Depress the trigger until the hammer falls. If the deflection of the needle on the scale is about 10 pounds you don't have to mess with the spring because you already have the light one in there.

Bill

Well I tried it a few times to get an average pull of about 11.5 lbs Again, I guess it isn't the weight as much as the lenght of pull but I may try one of the wolff spring packs. I just don't want to mess with the reliability... It has never failed to fire or even stove piped so it is a very dependable gun