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

[uncleted327]

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!

Producing firearms in Massachusetts has nothing to do with the regulations for Massachusetts compliant firearms. The ten pound trigger is for guns sold to Mass residents only.

 

[Chubbo]

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!

In my estimation, what S&W means by "tuned action" is, charging the customer to finish the trigger fitting. This fitting at one time, came with every handgun that they sold. This is a sign of the times. It seems that in business today, if a company doesn't "stick it to" the customer, It's considered "poor business". I don't support their new business policies, and all of my firearms are of their older vintages.
Chubbo

 

[HorizontalMike]

Here is the review I left on Bud's upon receiving MY 627PC that dates back to the OP's 2015 post. IMO, QC was and probably still is the issue.

"...Reviewed By: Michael H on 10/17/2015
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars!
Gun appeared to be fine when originally arrived at LGS. Siting in at 7yd, this 627PC seemed to be rather accurate out of the box, though trigger pull was significantly "mechanical' divided into three steps. Chronographed it against my 4" 686 for comparison and found ~200ft/sec deficit to the 4in 686. I then decided to to do a deep cleaning/lube to see what I actually received from S&W. It was bone dry inside and looked as if the last chemical bath had just fogged out, onto all internal parts. DRY as a bone...

Ok, I then used a high quality Moly lube paste with a toothpick to reach all critical areas of high contact. After a couple hundred snap caps with the Moly lube in place, this was a changed and much improved revolver.

I really like it, however, I fail to understand why a gun coming out of the S&W Performance Center can arrive WITHOUT having had a trigger performance update (much bragged about in the S&W literature), or even a lube job. This has made all of the difference, but WHY must I DIY when purchasing a "S&W Performance Center" weapon? I can DIY my own maintenance, BUT why should it be required when paying such a premium?

RE Bud's Gun Shop... 10 in all details. Only stumble lies with S&W Performance Center for making such a nice weapon into an "ordinary weapon" upon arrival. Three stars because of the needed DIY tweaks..."


S&W M627 8RD 357MAG/38SP +P 2.62" Performance Center $865.00

 

[Engieman]

I have both a 625 and 627 Performance Center guns that are really nice actions. Bought them a few years ago, so things may have changed. They have the 'hole' and the MIM parts, but they were nicely 'tuned' from the factory. Having said that, I have personally tuned all my other Smith revolvers with springs and polishing, and they have turned out great (older guns, carbon steel). It is not at all hard to do....have a properly sized screwdriver (Brownells) so you don't bung up the screws, I made a rebound spring tool from a popsicle stick and pocket knife, a sandwich bag to capture the springs in case they try to escape, get some polishing grade sand paper (2000), go slow, stay flat and level, and you are good to go. Remember you are not removing metal so to speak, you are polishing and truing up contact surfaces. The only reason I can see sending it to them is if you are not comfortable taking it apart and/or are perhaps concerned you will void the warranty.

 

[CH4]

I put in a couple Clint Eastwood movies and dry fire it 1000 times. Really smooths the action.

 

[HamHands]

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.

I do my own trigger work if a thousand trigger pulls of dry/live fire doesn't smooth the trigger out. But honestly, with the items you listed... $165 for all that work is a steal in my opinion!YMMV...

 

[HamHands]

I put in a couple Clint Eastwood movies and dry fire it 1000 times. Really smooths the action.

Hahaha! Full of awesomeness!

 

[HamHands]

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

Yes they did! Hell, I've got a vintage Colt Agent in .38Special I bought for my wife to carry for her birthday. The trigger on that D frame is out of sight... And that is a low end model by Colt's standard.

 

[HamHands]

Agreed!

In my estimation, what S&W means by "tuned action" is, charging the customer to finish the trigger fitting. This fitting at one time, came with every handgun that they sold. This is a sign of the times. It seems that in business today, if a company doesn't "stick it to" the customer, It's considered "poor business". I don't support their new business policies, and all of my firearms are of their older vintages.
Chubbo

Chubbo… I generally agree with you sir! It's sad but, "It seems that in business today, if a company doesn't "stick it to" the customer, It's considered "poor business", IS the business model of the times. I have half a dozen really nice vintage Smith N' Wesson's, and 1 Colt. However, I will say that my 629... after 1K rounds, and countless but fun snap cap trigger pulls thru her... the trigger in both DA & SA is better than the vintage Lew Horton Special M29 I got back in June. The M29 was carried little, and shot even less. In fact, I shot it more in June than it's ever been shot in it's life. Smith still puts out a pretty good "N" frame if you ask me though; because my 625 has the same smooth yet crisp trigger with some fun range days and snap caps behind her. They just don't come out of the box that way anymore and it's unfortunate. My only real complaint is with Smith is the stupid Vagina Hole lock in the frame. But that is remedied even easier than 1K trigger pulls with Original Precision's Lock Delete!

 

[Chubbo]

Chubbo… I generally agree with you sir! It's sad but, "It seems that in business today, if a company doesn't "stick it to" the customer, It's considered "poor business", IS the business model of the times. I have half a dozen really nice vintage Smith N' Wesson's, and 1 Colt. However, I will say that my 629... after 1K rounds, and countless but fun snap cap trigger pulls thru her... the trigger in both DA & SA is better than the vintage Lew Horton Special M29 I got back in June. The M29 was carried little, and shot even less. In fact, I shot it more in June than it's ever been shot in it's life. Smith still puts out a pretty good "N" frame if you ask me though; because my 625 has the same smooth yet crisp trigger with some fun range days and snap caps behind her. They just don't come out of the box that way anymore and it's unfortunate. My only real complaint is with Smith is the stupid Vagina Hole lock in the frame. But that is remedied even easier than 1K trigger pulls with Original Precision's Lock Delete!

HammerHands;

I wish that I could deal with the "Hole" situation as philosophically as you can. Instead of doing so, I can't bring myself to pay for something, that I'm dead seat against, and then pay again to do away with it. I guess that I'm just to "Bull Headed", "Set In My Ways", and therefor will never enjoy S&W's newer revolvers.