What does S&W mean by "tuned action"?

[hakr100]

S&W offers the following package at what seems a reasonable price:


Combat Revolver Package

Glass Bead Finish
Tuned Action
Trigger Stop
Chamfer Charge Holes
Test Fire for Function

What is involved here in "tuning" the action?

Thanks!

 

[Hapworth]

Best to email or call S&W and get it from the source, but I've long presumed the "tuned action" in the Combat Revolver Package is the one described in the Master Revolver Action Package:

- Polish Rebound Spring, Hammer Stud and Yoke Barrel Bosses
- Detail Lockwork Surfaces
- Stone Hammer and Trigger Contact Areas

 

[riverrat38]

There was a recent thread that touched on this subject.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/418824-question-about-s-w-627pc.html

See Post 7 for a members experience with "Tuned Action" with respect to the PC models.

Best,
Rick

 

[Hapworth]

There was a recent thread that touched on this subject.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/418824-question-about-s-w-627pc.html

See Post 7 for a members experience with "Tuned Action" with respect to the PC models.

Best,
Rick

I've never encountered a modern (MIM/lock era) PC trigger that I thought was exceptional, but all felt superior to standard production.

It would be remarkable (in the negative) if a PC action job consisted of a Wolff main and rebound spring swap and nothing more, particularly on revolvers sent in for the work...

 

[jrandyh]

I just got a 686 plus 2.5 PC gun. If that was a tuned action I wouldn't pay them for one. I have some older guns done by gunsmiths and mastersmiths and they have a real tuned action. I had to send the PC gun. Back for being out of time and a few other things. They smoothed the action some but nothing to brag about.
JR

 

[hakr100]

How about the Master Revolver Action Package for $165?

Trigger Stop
Chamfer Charge Holes
Polish Rebound Spring, Hammer Stud and Yoke Barrel Bosses
Detail Lockwork Surfaces
Stone Hammer and Trigger Contact Areas
Test Fire for Function

Worthwhile? I don't know an independent gunsmith who could perform these services...any recommendations for a first-rate S&W revolver gunsmith? Is there a list in this discussion group? I'm in Maryland.

 

[unclebob]

IMO I would interpret this term as quality control, something they are not putting out without extra cost....

 

[AveragEd]

Last summer, I found and bought a 686-3 National Match, a 5" gun with an unfluted cylinder of which 500 were made in 1989. One of the features was a "hand-tuned action" and it has the absolutely smoothest double-action and most crisp single-action of any of my S&W revolvers. Of course, 1989 was "then" and 2015 is "now" so...

Ed

 

[one eye joe]

I just got a 686 plus 2.5 PC gun. If that was a tuned action I wouldn't pay them for one. I have some older guns done by gunsmiths and mastersmiths and they have a real tuned action. I had to send the PC gun. Back for being out of time and a few other things. They smoothed the action some but nothing to brag about.
JR[/Q
I FIND IT VERY SAD THAT S&W HAS COME TO THIS. ON ANOTHER THREAD, I RESPONDED THAT IMHO, S&W PC HANDGUNS WERE THE MOST OVER RATED FIREARMS THAT I COULD THINK OF………..…………...

 

[BigBill]

Just lube the metal to metal contact moving parts with a moly paste or anti seeze. Using this lube will feel like a action job was done.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Whatever S&W means by tuned action you have to remember that as a seller of firearms in the State of Massachusetts they have to comply with state law. Maybe in 2015 it's different but around a dozen years ago or so I sent my then relatively new CS-45 to the PC for their "action job". Memory says it cost me $87.00 at the time.

When the gun came back it had a smooth trigger but it had a ten pound trigger pull. I called the PC and they told me they had to comply with state law and that was as light as they were permitted to make it. I was irritated but knew there was little to be done and I wasn't inclined to argue so I thanked them and hung up.

I proceeded to take that puppy to my local gunsmith, told him the problem, and for about the same price, so I paid double, sadly, I had a very smooth trigger, MUCH lighter in double action, but not too light. How light? I cannot recall. Perfect for me - probably 5 or 6 pounds in double action. Definitely way below 10!

 

[zelda]

Dad has this beautiful tu-tone PC Magnum Hunter he bought two years. lt came with a tuned action he felt was a bit stiff. Rather than send the gun back he decided to ''tune'' it himself - with about 1500 rounds! Now he says it shoots fine.
After shooting some 44 Specials in it l told him he should let ME tune it, but it might take a while.

 

[imajkrsl]

I just got a 686 plus 2.5 PC gun. If that was a tuned action I wouldn't pay them for one. I have some older guns done by gunsmiths and mastersmiths and they have a real tuned action. I had to send the PC gun. Back for being out of time and a few other things. They smoothed the action some but nothing to brag about.
JR

I also had to send my 642 PC revolver back to S&W, model 10186 due to the cylinder randomly locking up. S&W sent it back to me and told me that there was a problem with the sear not being square, which they claimed to have fixed. Upon receiving the firearm, I did not notice any improvement in action or trigger pull. I promptly sold it and put that money toward another firearm. IMO, Performance Center Firearms are not worth the extra money. One should purchase a standard "Off the line" firearm and take it to a competent gunsmith for tuning and action work.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I have seen a lot of PC guns. As far as I can tell, the only extras you are getting is a different shaped barrel and maybe some laser engraving. None of them had a better than average action, some were worse. I think the best value is to buy the garden variety and have a good revo guy do the action. If you really want the PC gun, fine, but don't think you are getting an action job for the extra money.

 

[Pisgah]

S&W's action job will do little more than what shooting 500 rounds will do.

Spend the money on ammo...

 

[326MOD10]

About 4 or 5 years ago I sent a Model 19 (and then the following year a Model 64) to S&W to have the Combat Action Package done.

The trigger on both are far better than any other revolver I own. Most of my revolvers are older and, if not by me, someone has put more than 500 rounds through them. None of those triggers can touch the smooth action on these two firearms.

Now that was 4 to 5 years ago so can't speak for today. But I would hope it would be the same.

Below are photos so you see what the finish will look like on both models.

 

[Clarke Hammer]

How about the Master Revolver Action Package for $165?

Trigger Stop
Chamfer Charge Holes
Polish Rebound Spring, Hammer Stud and Yoke Barrel Bosses
Detail Lockwork Surfaces
Stone Hammer and Trigger Contact Areas
Test Fire for Function

I sent in a 686-4 for the Master Revolver Action Package earlier this year. For this package the website still lists the tasks described above. No mention of changing springs, so to my surprise the gun came back with a new ribbed mainspring and rebound spring (old springs returned in a ziplock baggie). I didn't want the "action job" to be achieved by simply putting in lighter springs. I want the gun to reliably ignite any factory ammo. I will acknowledge that it does have a smooth, light double action pull, and so far no issues igniting my go-to Speer Lawman range ammo. That is all I have put through it so far, and no light strikes yet. Overall I'm happy with the job, but puzzled by the spring change. I was (still am) too lazy to call them and ask about it.

 

[focus2]

I had a master action package done on a new 686+. S&W did a great job. Very smooth DA with a crisp release. Worth the money...........

 

[Narragansett]

Best to email or call S&W and get it from the source, but I've long presumed the "tuned action" in the Combat Revolver Package is the one described in the Master Revolver Action Package:

- Polish Rebound Spring, Hammer Stud and Yoke Barrel Bosses
- Detail Lockwork Surfaces
- Stone Hammer and Trigger Contact Areas

I realize that today this raises the cost of a gun, but this should really be part of producing a top shelf product. I would pay the added cost on a new gun. You know, when it comes right down to it on the revolver front IMO, they have no equal. Colt did it with pythons, they tuned them before they left the factory. I don't know, it is early and I am rambling. I may start a thread later

 

[stansdds]

S&W's action job will do little more than what shooting 500 rounds will do.

Spend the money on ammo...

Right on! The more you shoot (or even dry fire) it, the smoother the action will become. A proper lubrication, and not over lubricating, can also work wonders.