686+ trigger job?

[Penforhire]

I really like my 4" 686+ but I find the DA trigger pull is annoyingly strong. I don't have a trigger pull scale but I'm guessing a solid 12 lbs. It breaks well (to me). SA shooting is a joy. I have zero failure-to-fire in the twelve or more different factory loads I've tried (everything local stores carry). Some sticky extractions but that's not a trigger issue.

So am I a candidate for a trigger (or spring) job? Does it have to go back to S&W or are there qualified local smiths (So Cal)? How much can the DA pull be reduced if I still want self-defense reliability? Anyone have this done and was unhappy with the results?

 

[rbert0005]

Try the Wolff spring kit first. It is a pretty cheap way to lighten it up.

While you are in there you can clean up any burrs and polish the sliding parts as well. This alone should do a lot of good.

If you are using for carry or home defense do not use the reduced power kit. It may not set off the primers. At least it didn't on my 625. One out of four no shoots is not very good at all.

Bob

 

[Standing Wolf]

In addition to the Wolff spring kit, here's an easy trick: as long as you've removed the rebound slide to replace its spring, polish the bottom of it, as well as the facing surface of the frame. Use 400 grit sand paper or finer, take your time, and be sure to clean both slide and frame thoroughly when you're done. The easiest way to polish the bottom of the rebound slide is to lay the sand paper on a flat surface and slowly rub the slide back and forth against it. Use lots of oil when you reassemble the revolver.

The rule of thumb is never—ever—under any circumstances—reduce the tension on the main spring of a Smith & Wesson revolver.

That said™, I've ignored it for two decades and longer. If you reduce the tension too much, you'll get light hammer falls and dented rather than detonated primers. My method is to reduce the tension to the point that feels right—not an awful lot below full tension—then put several hundred rounds of assorted ammunition through the gun. If it all fires, you don't have a problem. If even one round fails to fire because of a light strike, you need to increase the tension a quarter-turn and start over.

If it's a carry gun, give it an extra quarter-turn, anyway. That will increase your double action pull, but better to have full faith in your revolver's ignition.