Inusuit
Member
15-6. Police or security trade in. Might have been worked on by a LE armorer.
What's the SMOOTHEST DA revolver you have?
- Thread starter PALADIN85020
- Start date
My 4" 66-1 has the slickest action of my meager revolver collection. It also probably has the most rounds through it, although I've never put my trigger scale on it. I have a 4516 ND that's double action is almost as good. I suppose I should check them both for weight, but both are smoooooth.
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Smoothest (and lightest) is a 1920 vintage M&P (.38 S&W Special) bought new by my father-in-law (in 1920), and carried daily in the hip pocket of his overalls for 50-60 years. It never had any sort of action job unless you count the replacement of the stock rebound slide spring with one apparently selected solely on the basis on the fact it would fit in the hole. My best guess is this was done by someone named Bubba---address unknown.
At any rate, there came a time not too long ago when I decided to work on my close range, double action, rapid fire, point and shoot. In view of the fact I was not even remotely inclined to use any of the guns in my collection, I selected this one. The action was terrible---easily the worst I've ever experienced, and the first I've ever measured. The double action trigger pull was 22 pounds. I wasn't quite sure what it should have been, but damn well knew it should be less than 22 lbs.
So----given the options of covering it with money and sending it off to the pistolsmith du jour, slicking it up myself, or popping for a $20 spring kit, I chose the latter----and it was $17 something delivered (from Brownells)---and it was Jerry Miculek's kit.
The kit comes with instructions. Now I've been fooling with these things for more than 60 years, and damn well don't need any instructions to swap out a couple of springs---and the gun would not function when I was finished----or thought I was finished. It turned out the instructions were rather interesting----and you can set things for whatever pull weight you want----and if you decide you want a heavier pull later on, just get a new strain screw, and start over.
I set mine at 7 lbs. (the lightest recommended---and with the proviso you use Federal ammo/primers) I used WW ammo because I didn't have any Federal, and so far, so good---no failures to fire.
I took it to my gunsmith for show and tell. His comment was the same as mine: WOW!!
Ralph Tremaine
At any rate, there came a time not too long ago when I decided to work on my close range, double action, rapid fire, point and shoot. In view of the fact I was not even remotely inclined to use any of the guns in my collection, I selected this one. The action was terrible---easily the worst I've ever experienced, and the first I've ever measured. The double action trigger pull was 22 pounds. I wasn't quite sure what it should have been, but damn well knew it should be less than 22 lbs.
So----given the options of covering it with money and sending it off to the pistolsmith du jour, slicking it up myself, or popping for a $20 spring kit, I chose the latter----and it was $17 something delivered (from Brownells)---and it was Jerry Miculek's kit.
The kit comes with instructions. Now I've been fooling with these things for more than 60 years, and damn well don't need any instructions to swap out a couple of springs---and the gun would not function when I was finished----or thought I was finished. It turned out the instructions were rather interesting----and you can set things for whatever pull weight you want----and if you decide you want a heavier pull later on, just get a new strain screw, and start over.
I set mine at 7 lbs. (the lightest recommended---and with the proviso you use Federal ammo/primers) I used WW ammo because I didn't have any Federal, and so far, so good---no failures to fire.
I took it to my gunsmith for show and tell. His comment was the same as mine: WOW!!
Ralph Tremaine
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9mmsubgun-m11
Member
My 3.5" 27-2.
AveragEd
Member
My revolver with the smoothest action would be my five-inch 686-3 National Match, one of 500 guns worked over by Bill Davis. The stocks shown on it were only used until I could obtain a nice pair of checkered targets with dual speedloader cutouts so the silhouette target on the side plate wasn't partially obscured.
The guns came with unique rubber grips designed by Bill Davis. I have them but the checkered targets are more attractive.
Ed
The guns came with unique rubber grips designed by Bill Davis. I have them but the checkered targets are more attractive.
Ed
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Lou_the_welder
Member
It would have to be these two. But I do have many with the hammer spurs to give these a good run for their money.
But I've been shooting these more recently so ....
It was especially more satisfying getting rid of the standard "JM" meat cleaver trigger. Great for SA! Horrible for DA. So, I got a standard smooth trigger, knocked the color case hardening off and bobbed the hammer.
Original hammers and triggers were not harmed .
The 627s trigger pull is so low, it needed an extended firing pin. It wouldn't fire Winchester's before that. It is now 7.5#s. ..DA.
But I've been shooting these more recently so ....
It was especially more satisfying getting rid of the standard "JM" meat cleaver trigger. Great for SA! Horrible for DA. So, I got a standard smooth trigger, knocked the color case hardening off and bobbed the hammer.
Original hammers and triggers were not harmed .
The 627s trigger pull is so low, it needed an extended firing pin. It wouldn't fire Winchester's before that. It is now 7.5#s. ..DA.
I got some nice revolvers. Some of them I have spend some time working on the actions to smooth them out. But, I got dirt cheap an old M&P that a guy said had some issues with the cylinder. The yoke was hammered was the real problem. The thing is over buffed, re blued and now has an old yoke in it. But, its trigger is slicker than fresh ice, with a little water on top.
78bagger
US Veteran
That's funny steelslayer, I've got a dozen nice revolvers that I baby and one old mod 28 that must have been someone's duty or carry piece. 4" barrel and a trigger that came from heaven. Whoever had it must have had an action job.
357-RevolverGuy
Member
I shot a Colt Python once. The DA trigger wasn't that amazing to me. But the smoothness when cocking the hammer and shooting SA was impressive.
Smoothest DA revolver I own is a snub nose S&W model 15-3. In fact all of the K frames I've ever owned have had smooth triggers. (Picture added below.)
Smoothest DA revolver I own is a snub nose S&W model 15-3. In fact all of the K frames I've ever owned have had smooth triggers. (Picture added below.)
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Weirdly enough, the smoothest DA action of any revolver I've ever had was experienced with a freebie RG .22 revolver. Not an accurate handgun, but good with rat shot. Absolutely smooth and it seemed to "unstack" as you pulled it through, so once you overcame the initial resistance, it basically shot itself. Kept it for years, good tackle box gun, not much steel to rust, but that action got it sold for actual green money.
Next best is a very "experienced" 4" 686 CS-1 that got used to win quite a few IDPA, etc. matches.
Next best is a very "experienced" 4" 686 CS-1 that got used to win quite a few IDPA, etc. matches.
Benchrest1
Member
My wife has a 4" Python that is too die for.
I consider myself extremely fortunate in that I've managed to find three different custom PPC revolvers and I didn't pay a heap of money for any of them. One of the three frustrates me a lot and you'll see why as I list them:
3) A Travis Strahan, this one built on a circa-1964 Model 10-6 and a June-1982 stamp for Strahan's work, it has a Mascot rib and every single little trademark that you can see and spot with Strahan PPC guns -- but for whatever reason, his signature in electric pencil is not at the muzzle on the right hand side. My only guess is that the customer asked for it not to be done. I wish it were there. The double action is extremely smooth, but it is the heaviest pull weight of the three. The hammer has been shaped by Strahan and the single action notch has been removed.
2) A Bill Davis "Cougar" or perhaps "Rython", this one is a circa-1980 stainless Ruger Police Service Six with a 6-inch stainless Python barrel. The left side of the revolver has a smallish but prominent Davis logo. This one came to me with many years of use but it's an absolute sweetheart on the range. The double action pull is what I describe as "springy", it is a smooth pull and it's isn't heavy, but it definitely feels different than what you have come to know and love in a S&W double action feel. A minor annoyance with this one is that even with the rear sight bottomed out, it still shoots about 2-inches high, and this is even with 148gr HBWC/2.7gr Bullseye.
1) The real frustration: this one is a 6-inch slab side PPC revolver built on a 1956 pre-Model 10 and it's double action trigger beats the others, it beats anything that I've been lucky enough to handle. It is so smooth and sublime, it most definitely requires Federal primers and it's the kind of a double action pull that could make you love your favorite S&W a little less if you tried it. Why I'm frustrated? Obviously... because I have no earthly idea whatsoever who did the work. There is no identifier anywhere on the outside of this revolver. Inside, perhaps? Did any gunsmiths do something like that?
3) A Travis Strahan, this one built on a circa-1964 Model 10-6 and a June-1982 stamp for Strahan's work, it has a Mascot rib and every single little trademark that you can see and spot with Strahan PPC guns -- but for whatever reason, his signature in electric pencil is not at the muzzle on the right hand side. My only guess is that the customer asked for it not to be done. I wish it were there. The double action is extremely smooth, but it is the heaviest pull weight of the three. The hammer has been shaped by Strahan and the single action notch has been removed.
2) A Bill Davis "Cougar" or perhaps "Rython", this one is a circa-1980 stainless Ruger Police Service Six with a 6-inch stainless Python barrel. The left side of the revolver has a smallish but prominent Davis logo. This one came to me with many years of use but it's an absolute sweetheart on the range. The double action pull is what I describe as "springy", it is a smooth pull and it's isn't heavy, but it definitely feels different than what you have come to know and love in a S&W double action feel. A minor annoyance with this one is that even with the rear sight bottomed out, it still shoots about 2-inches high, and this is even with 148gr HBWC/2.7gr Bullseye.
1) The real frustration: this one is a 6-inch slab side PPC revolver built on a 1956 pre-Model 10 and it's double action trigger beats the others, it beats anything that I've been lucky enough to handle. It is so smooth and sublime, it most definitely requires Federal primers and it's the kind of a double action pull that could make you love your favorite S&W a little less if you tried it. Why I'm frustrated? Obviously... because I have no earthly idea whatsoever who did the work. There is no identifier anywhere on the outside of this revolver. Inside, perhaps? Did any gunsmiths do something like that?
nate-dogg
Member
My nickel 4" 29-3. Previous owner had to have had trigger work done. No way it came from the factory that slick.
I've gotten rid of most of my Smith and Wesson's, but the two I've kept both have really nice triggers.
One is a Model 15-2, from 1966. It came to me with target hammer, trigger, trigger stop, and diamond target stocks. It also has about the slickest D/A trigger I've experience with. Rather it came that way, got worked over, or just fired thousands of times, I don't know.
The other is at the opposite end of the scale. It's a 2018, "classic" Model 19-9. When I bought it, I had the guy bring out a couple from the back. This was the second one I tried out of three. It has a really smooth D/A right out of the box. Not the lightest but really smooth. That's the main reason I elected to keep this one, and sell off the other Model 19's I had.
One is a Model 15-2, from 1966. It came to me with target hammer, trigger, trigger stop, and diamond target stocks. It also has about the slickest D/A trigger I've experience with. Rather it came that way, got worked over, or just fired thousands of times, I don't know.
The other is at the opposite end of the scale. It's a 2018, "classic" Model 19-9. When I bought it, I had the guy bring out a couple from the back. This was the second one I tried out of three. It has a really smooth D/A right out of the box. Not the lightest but really smooth. That's the main reason I elected to keep this one, and sell off the other Model 19's I had.
HamHands
Member
Colt "D" frame...
bmcgilvray
Member
44 years of heavy use with a lot of dry-firing makes this Model 10 Heavy Barrel a revolver I'd put up against any other revolver on the planet, including those with action jobs, if entering a smoothest revolver contest.
I've owned or shot at least 50 revolvers over the past 40+ years, including a Python and other "old" Colts in the 70's-90's, and quite a few PC guns. I picked up a new 686+ PC (the orange plastic sight & extended cylinder release model) last year, and nothing comes even remotely close to it. It is butter smooth and light, like a custom action job for a competition gun. I have shot everything through it without a single light strike. I will NEVER sell this gun! i wish it wasn't a 5" so that I could carry it. I firmly beleve that I was lucky enough to get a revolver that a master in the shop used to show newbies how to do an action job good enough for JM! The best $850 I ever spent. I don't use a gauge, but there is no way that double action trigger can be even 8 pounds.
It has spoiled me, though, because the PC revolvers I've gotten since have disappointed me in comparison.
It has spoiled me, though, because the PC revolvers I've gotten since have disappointed me in comparison.
Might be blasphemy in this forum, but the fact is, I picked up a new model Colt King Cobra a month or so ago. It has the best out of the box DA trigger I've ever encountered. As good or better than my trusty S&W DA's that I've had and used for years.
