J-frame lighter springs

[chilly_bill]

I just sold my S&W 386SC, and have come upon a little alloy J-frame pre-lock 5 shot. The J-frame has a much heavier trigger pull than the Mountain Lite. One of the guys at my local range confirmed that it seemed inordinately heavy so I know I'm not hallucinating. I've pulled it apart and the smaller spring just behind the trigger is painted light blue, the main spring inside the handle is chrome. Can I get lighter springs? Which springs do I swap?
Thanks

 

[jakk280rem]

i put a set of wolff springs in my 642. smoothed it up quite a bit. the blue spring is the rebound spring. the factory is 16lb. the shooter pak comes with 13, 14, and 15. i used the 14lb. it also comes with a 8lb main spring. it smoothed my action up a little and gave me a lighter trigger. i have not had a single ftf due to a light primer strike.

you can find them here. http://www.gunsprings.com/Revolver/SmithWesson_RvNF.html#S&WJ

 

[ArchAngelCD]

chilly_bill,
Welcome to the forum.

As for trusting the guy at your range, I wouldn't. J frame revolvers all have heavier triggers that most other revolvers because they are usually carried in the pocket. Not too many people I know who would want a revolver with a very light trigger in their pocket. Your M386 is a larger revolver and I would expect a lighter trigger. The above suggestion for a set of Wolff springs is a good one BUT, don't fool with the springs that are now in the gun like shortening them because you want to make sure your SD gun is totally reliable.

S&W J frame revolvers have a smoother trigger than most other small revolvers but that are all heavy. (unless they are worked on) Before you spend any money try this, buy a set of snap caps and pull the trigger 500+ times. You will strengthen your trigger finger, improve your trigger control and smooth out/slightly lighten the trigger all at the same time. I do that with my new J frames.

 

[Oro]

Before you spend any money try this, buy a set of snap caps and pull the trigger 500+ times. You will strengthen your trigger finger, improve your trigger control and smooth out/slightly lighten the trigger all at the same time. I do that with my new J frames.

+1! Just because the gun is old, don't assume it's actually "used" and broken-in. Most people buy these guns in particular, and many guns in general, run 1/2 the first box of 50 through it, go home, clean and load it, then throw it in a drawer for 15 to 30 years. The number of guns I've found 15+ years old with less than a full box through them is surprising. Follow his advice and you'll get a free trigger job, a better trigger hand, and greater respect for the gun.

 

[GRIZ22]

Heavier springs are used in a J frame because the mass of the hammer is smaller and the heavy spring is used to insure primer ignition. I have been happy with stock springs in J frames for over 35 years.

 

[junior geezer]

several many years ago, i used to lighten my j-frame mainsprings by shortening them, a quarter turn at a time. i would shorten until i experienced "failure to fire" using speer plastic "target 38s" (plastic case and primer-fired projectile). as soon as these plastic cartridges would ftf, the spring had been correctly shortened, as regular brass cases would then fire perfectly and never ever ftf. almost certainly, the reg brass offered firmer resistance to the fall of the hammer. i did this for years, to several j-frame guns, and never experienced a single ftf while enjoying a substantially improved trigger.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

junior geezer,
You can do as you please with your revolver but it's not a good idea to recommend cutting springs in a Self Defense handgun for anyone else. It's just not a good idea, someone can had a gun fail at the worst time like that.

chilly_bill,
Like I said above, it's not a good idea to mess with the springs by cutting them especially in a SD handgun. It's not safe.

I agree with Griz, I use my J frame revolvers as they come from the factory. (after a bunch of dry firing of course)

 

[rcmodel]

+1
Don't cut them off.
If you want lighter springs, get lighter springs from Wolff.

On the otherhand, even factory weight springs get weaker with use.

If anything, S&W errors on the side of total reliability, with any ammo, in any weather, dirty or clean.

And that's exactly the way SD revolvers should be set up.

rc

 

[xstuntman]

+2. I'd leave it alone.

Besides in a SHTF situation your gonna work the trigger like the Terminator anyhow. X

 

[junior geezer]

junior geezer,
You can do as you please with your revolver but it's not a good idea to recommend cutting springs in a Self Defense handgun for anyone else. It's just not a good idea, someone can had a gun fail at the worst time like that.

i'm sorry, ArchAngelCD. did i suggest to anyone to do what i do, to cut their j-frame mainspring? i merely related what i do, with my own mainsprings, with my own j-frame revolvers. reread my post.

as for being unsafe... didn't i state i've never experienced an ftf? not since 1969 when i first lightened a j-frame mainspring.