Will S&W do a trigger job on my 642?

[Chris L.]

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Will S&W do a trigger job on my 642? I like my 642 Airweight, but the trigger pull is to hard for my liking.

I checked on S&W's website and they only specifically mention doing work on full size or older revolvers, not the newer J-Frames.

 

[Butchbird]

I think they will do trigger jobs on any post 1990 revolver -- but any good gunsmith can do a good job for you

 

[scwv67]

I spent $25 and installed the APEX Carry Kit in my 442, it lightens the factory 12lb or so pull to about 9lbs. Much nicer now.

 

[Alnamvet68]

Cylinder & Slide Inc

 

[L Pete]

I don't really care for a lighter trigger pull on a self defense handgun. A lighter trigger pull can lead to unintended consequences in a stressful situation. How do I know this, I've been there, and won't do it again. I believe that the factory pull is more than good enough for good accurate shooting, but helps prevent anything going wrong during a stressful situation. A light pull on a range use only gun is fine, but for the field or a SD situation, problems can arise.

 

[Chris L.]

I think they will do trigger jobs on any post 1990 revolver -- but any good gunsmith can do a good job for you

I tried taking it to a local smith but they told me they couldn't make the springs balance out (or something like that), so they just put it back together and now I'm back to square one.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

I tried taking it to a local smith but they told me they couldn't make the springs balance out (or something like that), so they just put it back together and now I'm back to square one.

Just a head's up, S&W is pretty good about spotting parts that have been
worked on, so, based on your previous M642 thread, they might replace
parts before working any that have already been worked on by others.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/281802-got-trigger-job-my-new-642-a.html

 

[StatesRightist]

The factory trigger stinks, it's ridiculously heavy. Install the APEX kit, sand the parts lightly. It's all you need and minimal money spent. Do NOT use less than the 14 lb rebound spring, it loses reliability.

 

[VirMagnus]

I don't really care for a lighter trigger pull on a self defense handgun. A lighter trigger pull can lead to unintended consequences in a stressful situation. How do I know this, I've been there, and won't do it again. I believe that the factory pull is more than good enough for good accurate shooting, but helps prevent anything going wrong during a stressful situation. A light pull on a range use only gun is fine, but for the field or a SD situation, problems can arise.

9 lbs isn't light. The 12 lb stock pull is ridiculous.
Apex all the way, if you plan on hitting anything

 

[Chris L.]

Just a head's up, S&W is pretty good about spotting parts that have been
worked on, so, based on your previous M642 thread, they might replace
parts before working any that have already been worked on by others.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/281802-got-trigger-job-my-new-642-a.html

This is actually a different 642 then my other one. I traded that one in on one without the internal lock. This one still has the stock trigger. Amazingly, my 642 with lock had a 15 lbs trigger pulls as weighted by my gunsmith. He was able to do a trigger job on that one, but says my new 642 (w/o lock) is different for whatever reason and he didn't feel comfortable getting the right results when he attempted a trigger job.

Is S&W's quality this inconsistent? I can attest to the fact that both of my 642's which are otherwise identical except for the lock issue, had very different trigger pulls out of the box. The one with the lock was noticeably worse. I don't know if the lock had anything to do with it, or if I just got a lemon, but I am now skeptical if anyone says these locks don't make a difference.

 

[scwv67]

I don't really care for a lighter trigger pull on a self defense handgun. A lighter trigger pull can lead to unintended consequences in a stressful situation. How do I know this, I've been there, and won't do it again. I believe that the factory pull is more than good enough for good accurate shooting, but helps prevent anything going wrong during a stressful situation. A light pull on a range use only gun is fine, but for the field or a SD situation, problems can arise.

I totally agree with this, but since my 442 does regular duty as a range piece in addition to being a regular SD/CCW gun, I wanted something a little lighter than the factory 12lb trigger when at the range.

I feel the 9lbs or so it's at now adequately addresses both aspects of its intended use for me. It's still a far heavier trigger than many factory triggers out there on guns meant for SD.

I have a pistol with a much lighter trigger, but it is just for paper punching.

 

[158Grain]

I agree with others that a lighter, less than 10lb, trigger probably isn't the best idea for a SD/carry piece. I have a 642. The trigger was a bit stiff when new, but I opted to shoot it regurlary instead of creating something that could possible be unsafe. I honestly don't understand why everyone wants a hair trigger on a carry piece. The same issue has been beat to death on the M&P sub-forum with people wanting a 3lb DAO trigger on a 9mm/40 cal that they conceal. Like posted above, if it is a range gun only, go for it. I have a 686 with a slightly lighter/smoother trigger. I wouldn't exactly consider a snubby a range gun. Please don't take my opinion as me condeming your wants/wishes, I just don't get it.

 

[StatesRightist]

1. 9lbs is not a hair trigger, nor is it unsafe. For that matter many manufacturers produce guns in the 5-6 lbs range.
2. You should not put your finger on the trigger till you are ready to pull it. That's the proper way to prevent accidental discharge.

Whatever you want to do with your own gun is fine, but reducing trigger pull to a reasonable level is not "unsafe" or unusual.

 

[158Grain]

I understand that 9lbs isn't a hair trigger. It just seems like lately alot of people, both here and my shooting buddies, have wanted a super light trigger on a carry piece. Smooting the trigger would be one thing, but most want it to be a lighter pull. I doubt anyone would notice a 12-14 lb pull on a 642 if they ever had to use it in a defense situation. Again, just my opinion, and I may be in the minority with my opinion.

 

[Chris L.]

I understand that 9lbs isn't a hair trigger. It just seems like lately alot of people, both here and my shooting buddies, have wanted a super light trigger on a carry piece. Smooting the trigger would be one thing, but most want it to be a lighter pull. I doubt anyone would notice a 12-14 lb pull on a 642 if they ever had to use it in a defense situation. Again, just my opinion, and I may be in the minority with my opinion.

My Ruger LCR has a much lighter and smoother trigger pull out of the box then my 642, and I never felt worried about it for SD. I'd be carrying that instead if not for the fact that it is too bulky for pocket carry compared to the 642.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Will S&W do a trigger job on my 642? I like my 642 Airweight, but the trigger pull is to hard for my liking.

I checked on S&W's website and they only specifically mention doing work on full size or older revolvers, not the newer J-Frames.

Yes, they will, but you can do your own by purchasing a couple thousand rounds of ammo and shooting all of that ammo within the next six months.

 

[cometpx4]

J Frame trigger Job

Send it in. I have sent 2 dozen revolvers to Smith over the last 17 years for trigger jobs including many j frames. They actually call the j frame work a "trigger enhancement" but i have received some butter smooth and light triggers back on my j frames.
I really favor having Smith do the work but thats because i am in CT and i drive my revolvers up and drop them off during lunch hour.

 

[StatesRightist]

I understand that 9lbs isn't a hair trigger. It just seems like lately alot of people, both here and my shooting buddies, have wanted a super light trigger on a carry piece. Smooting the trigger would be one thing, but most want it to be a lighter pull. I doubt anyone would notice a 12-14 lb pull on a 642 if they ever had to use it in a defense situation. Again, just my opinion, and I may be in the minority with my opinion.

I think you are right to a point, there are some people who want the 2lbs triggers on their carry guns, now that's past the bounds of normalcy. That is a target gun, not a carry piece. If you are below what a reasonable person would do or below any of the various manufacturers make a trigger pulls, then you are in a gray area. The lowest manufacturers level I know of is 4.5lbs.

I was not dinging you personally, but I can tell you from experience, one of the hardest things to instill in people is keep your finger off of the trigger till it's time to pull it. It's a pet peeve of mine, all of this DAO, heavy trigger pulls, Chief/Sherriff's over-zealousness in gun selection would not be necessary if people would simply follow basic gun safety.

JMO

 

[RGVshooter]

Send it in. I have sent 2 dozen revolvers to Smith over the last 17 years for trigger jobs including many j frames. They actually call the j frame work a "trigger enhancement" but i have received some butter smooth and light triggers back on my j frames.
I really favor having Smith do the work but that's because i am in CT and i drive my revolvers up and drop them off during lunch hour.

And I agree. Have S&W do the work. That way the work is warrantied & backed up by S&W. And yes they offer the "trigger enhancement" for their revolvers for a small fee.

 

[GeoJelly]

On-topic - both of my 442's are a little heavy but I can hit well with them at five yards. One thing I can add to this thread (hope it wasn't mentioned above!): you'll be out at least $35 shipping each way plus at least a half hour of labor - which was $90 an hour last year. So, $70 + $45 at an absolute minimum to send it to S&W. They did work on J-frames - at least back in 2015. I sent a flat-latch up there to fix weak carry-up and they charged me but did not fix it. There almost has to be someone in your area who'll install an Apex kit and not botch it or damage your 642. One of the local stores here has an armorer on-site most days and I know he does installations like that. Well, I hope there's someone else in your area!