Why are S&W so much smoother than others?

[gringogigante]

I am new to revolvers and am trying to figure out why S&W actions are so much smoother than others?

I have Taurus and Charter Arms revolvers that I was working side by side with my new S&W N frame and was suprised at how much smoother the S&W was. It is such a simple mechanism with few moving parts....why were the others slightly less smooth? Their triggers a bit heavier?

 

[goldenbb]

Flat mainsprings?

 

[310Pilot]

Quality control, better materials and workmanship. Those are some of the reasons S&W revolvers have better actions (and are more expensive) than Taurus, Charter Arms, Rossi and other lower-priced brands. Also, some design differences, especially as to the Charter Arms guns.

 

[Dragon88]

Smith & Wesson is and always has been a manufacturer of premium revolvers. If you look back into certain segments of production like the Registered Magnums, they arguably made the finest revolvers ever produced. The trigger mechanisms have been refined over the past 100+ years and are hand fitted. Colt makes great revolvers, as does Ruger. Taurus and Charter Arms make functional revolvers. But a good S&W has a character all it's own.

 

[gringogigante]

Quality control, better materials and workmanship. Those are some of the reasons S&W revolvers have better actions (and are more expensive) than Taurus, Charter Arms, Rossi and other lower-priced brands. Also, some design differences, especially as to the Charter Arms guns.

I love my Charter Arms .40 though. It ain't no S&W, but the .40 with no moon clips required is so cool.

 

[DeafSmith]

I'd say a combination of flat main spring, angle of the cam surfaces, and quality control.

But I do have a suggestion for S&W. Inside the rebound slide POLISH IT! And the rebound spring could be a flat style coil spring with the outside of the spring polished to.

But hey... most people don't have a clue as to what a real good action feels like anyway.

 

[Old cop]

My 1968 Colt Cobra has the best double action of any small frame .38 ever, but my S&W model 38, 1962, is a close second.

 

[ralph7]

i will take the feel of an old smith "long action"
over anything ever made, including the premier colt revolvers.

 

[gringogigante]

i will take the feel of an old smith "long action"
over anything ever made, including the premier colt revolvers.

Here we go! I'm grabbing some popcorn for this one!

BTW.....Merry Christmas, amigos.

 

[semperfi71]

On the average my factory S&W revolvers have a smoother and often lighter action than the Colt revolvers I own.

However I have heard that a good pistolsmith can make a Colt sing.

However, years ago in the revolver competition games it was common to take a K-Frame S&W and swap the barrel for a Python barrel. I think that says something.

 

[fyimo]

I love the Colt Python and almost got a 6 inch once but now they are just to expensive and not supported anymore.

 

[Road Rat]

Because they used to care!!

 

[Davef1]

I've had a couple Pythons and a Colt Agent but sold or traded them away, why?Because my 4" 686 no dash has a far better trigger than any Colt i've handled. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing as sexy in shooting as a 4" vented barrel on top of a bright blue or nickel Python but when it came to performance my S&W won hands down!

I've since found a couple more K frame guns with great actions as well. Nothing can compare to a properly tuned Smith revolver!

 

[Magnum-Krazy]

All my S&W revolvers are without a doubt my favorites. But I do have to say my Colt .44 Magnum 6" Stainless Anaconda has about the same easiest hammer & trigger pull as my Colt .357 6" Nickel ed Python !





Ernie

 

[Marshall 357]

thats an easy one because its a Smith and Wesson!!!!!

 

[bennettfam]

The OP compares S&W to Charter and Taurus so there is no real comparison there. My Colt Python and my tuned S&W M-19 are both smooth as silk. Quality you can feel.

 

[310Pilot]

Interesting how the thread drifted away from the original question about S&W compared to Taurus and Charter Arms to Colt Pythons. In that regard, I love my Smiths, but my Pythons are all a cut above in quality. I currently have three Pythons, and have owned many more in years past, all have been superb in quality, and their actions are a joy. Another poster stated that Pythons are no longer supported, that is incorrect. Colt continues to support the Python, with factory service readily available through the custom shop. I sent my 2 1/2" nickel Python (1965it vintage) to Colt for re-timing to factory specs a year or two ago, and it came back better than new. Delicate action? Well, 45 years before any service doesn't seem too delicate, and it was shot a lot over the years, primarily with magnums. I sent a 6" stainless Python in for a factory tune last year, as well, and it is absolutely magnificent! My 4", which I purchased new in the late 70s or early 80s, is still butter smooth and on perfect time. It has also been shot a great deal, and served as my primary carry gun for many years, lots more mags than specials have gone down that barrel.

Smith revolvers are excellent quality, far better than nearly any other, but Colt Pythons are superior in quality even to them. I love them both!

 

[brianbelanger]

Goldenbb might have the answer: the S&W flat springs provide a constant even pressure across the travel distance of the trigger pull. My S&W revolvers (610, 586, 617, 627PC) each experience this effect. My Ruger Security Six, Super Redhawk (and SR9 as well) provide an ever increasing weight or resistance which seems to come from the hammer coiled spring compression. They all have smooth as butter trigger pulls because my gunsmith replaced the springs and polished the parts for the Smiths and Rugers (except the 627PC which was perfect from the start).


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.494398,-73.596151

 

[LTC]

The non-technical answer is...you get what you pay for.

LTC

 

[JayBird686]

Same reason Makers Mark is better than Old Crow! You know what they say **** in, **** out.