Question:J-frame action job

[Bob79]

OK, I'm 90% sure I want to have trigger work done on my 342 and 60. The 342 is pretty bad, heavy, and not smooth at all. The 60 is OK, but it's for my better half and its a little heavy for her to pull well. My #1 concern is reliability, so I'm not looking to reduce any springs, just get things smoothed up. I called S&W and the guy said its only $65 for a "trigger enhancement" because they can't do too much with J-frames. He also said the pull is 10-12 LBS on their stock guns and the "enhancement" will make it "a smooth 10 LBS".

Has anyone here had a "trigger enhancement" done on their J-frame by the S&W custom shop? If so was it worth it/experience?

I have also looked at Clark Custom's "service action job", has anyone had this done on thier J-frame? Experience? What about the S&W warranty with sending your gun to someone else?

Thank you.

 

[HSMITH]

Bob, I have slicked up a couple of my own J-frames with good results. You are wise to leave the springs alone, the J-frame is darn near undersprung as it is and they need every bit of it to reliably ignite all primer brands.

The guy at S&W that told you 'a smooth 10#'s' is probably right on the money, that is about a half to a full pound less than what I got out of mine and it made them a lot nicer to shoot. I didn't go nuts and polish everything, I just cleaned them up and smoothed them out, so I think another pound or so of pull weight reduction believable. $65 would be money well spent, so would the action job from Clark. I've shot a 66 with an action job from Clark and it was fantastic. They also chamferred the charge holes and things like that, it was more complete than a 'trigger job'.

Sorry I can't answer your pointed questions. Hope this helps.

 

[Marshall]

I assume you're talking double action pull? Because my Model 60 is nowhere near that for SA.

 

[HSMITH]

I'm talking DA, I forget that a J-frame even has SA capability. I just don't shoot mine SA .

 

[Standing Wolf]

I called S&W and the guy said its only $65 for a "trigger enhancement" because they can't do too much with J-frames.

That's plain old-fashioned baloney. If Smith & Wesson doesn't care to work on J frames, it should be honest enough to say so.

Any Smith & Wesson revolver action can be slicked up. If you invest in the Kuhnhausen book(s), you can do it yourself in a couple hours. There's no shortage of gunsmiths who can do good action jobs on J frames.

 

[Preacherman]

My standard recommendation for S&W and Ruger revolver action jobs (including the loveliest J-frame triggers I've ever felt) is Clark Custom Guns. They do an outstanding job. Sure, they're not cheap, but hey - you pay for what you get.

 

[SnWnMe]

Buy the Kun sumthin' book, or get the Jerry Miculek video, I recommend the latter and do it yourself. Then do it to all your other Smith revolvers. They are very easy to work on. Most of the "trigger job" comprises nothing more than polishing/smoothing parts that rub together. Dry firing does the same thing (accelerate wear) but it takes longer.

I agree with you about not changing springs on a home D piece. That is also probably why the Smith rep told you they can't do much to it (lawyers...).

 

[Sir Aardvark]

I've done all of my S&W trigger jobs myself. Buy a copy of Jerry Kuhnhausen's book "The S&W Revolver: A Shop Manual" - it is the bible of S&W revolvers.
Inside this book you will find detailed instructions on how to do a trigger job all by yourself - thus saving yourself the $75.00 to $120.00 that gunsmiths charge you to do the same exact thing.
Also, you can order a set of Wolff springs for the J-frame for around $15.00, or so, thus ensuring that you can return your gun back into its original configuration by re-installing the factory springs that you set aside.
Have Fun!.