S&W Performance Center Master Revolver Action Package

[Armed012002]

I'm considering sending a revolver or two (or three) to S&W for their Master Revolver Action Package.

I have a few questions for those who've had this work done.

Does the price of the package include replacing the MIM parts with forged parts?

I've considered having the trigger and hammer replaced just because I prefer the appearance of forged over MIM.

If I paid more money to replace just the hammer and trigger, would forged parts mixed with MIM parts negatively affect the smoothness of the action?

Thanks.

 

[Old Fuff]

I don't know what particular model revolvers you have in mind, but if they have the hammer nose (firing pin) mounted in the hammer rather then the frame I don't think a part exchange is possible. A trigger/rebound slide/rebound slide spring exchange might be possible, but that would be it.

Also if the guns you have, have the internal lock they must use an MIM hammer.

 

[BlindJustice]

O.P. list the S&Ws MOdel # and dash

Examples I own

Model 60-15

MOdel 617-8

Model 625-10

I sent the 625 in for the Master Revolver Action Job

At the time it was $ 150 - they smooth up the trigger action,
and polish a couple of points inside as well as chamfer the
mouths of the cylinder chambers which makes it easier for reloads
with .45 ACP full moon clips or .45 Auto Rim w/HKS Speeloaders.

Makes for a smooth DA trigger pull, and the Single Action is crisp and
must be near 3 lbs.

THE MRAJ doesn't includes any parts.

the 625-10 has a frame mounted firing pin and Apex as well as a
Callifornia gunsmith Randy Lee offers a forged replacement which is a bit
longer for reliable primer strikes.

One of the top custom gunsmiths in the USA is Hamilton Bowen
- if you send him an email include the MOdel ## and desh # and ask
your specifics and he will get around to answering the what is possible
and cost.

Randall

.

 

[Ron James]

And once again IMHO the use of MIM parts is a non issue:banghead:

 

[Armed012002]

442-2 without the internal lock.

Two new 629s with the internal lock.

 

[Old Fuff]

Unless they changed and I didn't notice, all of the pre-lock model *42 series of revolvers had hammers with the hammer nose mounted on it. They did make some with MIM triggers and older hammers. I would ask S&W about more details as to what they might or might not do relative to part exchanges - but don't be surprised if they say, "no." It is quite possible that they don't have any of the older lockwork left.

On the other hand I doubt they will exchange any lockwork in the 629's that have the lock and older hammers won't work with the lock, which I'm sure they would refuse to remove.

Remember, in those few instances where older parts can be used in place of newer MIM ones it is usually necessary to change several parts when you change one - especially the trigger. The changes on the inside between old and new are extensive.

None of this is met to say that the overhall won't give you a better, smoother action, just that they won't use old parts in newer revolvers.

Which is part of the reason I buy older revolvers - when I can.

 

[MrBorland]

Also if the guns you have, have the internal lock they must use an MIM hammer.

Au contraire - Randy Lee's hammer will work with The Lock.

If you really hate MIM parts, looks to me like you could also get a Power Custom Trigger from Brownell's.

You won't even have paid the gunsmith, but you'll have some coin in this gun already, so as long as you're shopping from Lee's site, why not get a replacement firing pin?

And since you've got the $$ invested, consider having the 'smith (whoever you use) check (and fix, if necessary) timing, endshake, crown, forcing cone, throats, etc. No sense dumping $$ into the gun unless it's up to it's potential, IMO.

 

[Armed012002]

Wouldn't the Performance Center check for the timing, endshake, crown, forcing cone, etc. prior to doing work?

If I'm not mistaken isn't that standard procedure when they receive a gun in for service or work?

I can live with the appearance of a few "mold lines" in MIM parts. Too much trouble buying new parts, so I'll leave my parts alone

 

[MrBorland]

If I'm not mistaken isn't that standard procedure when they receive a gun in for service or work?

Dunno. Never used them, so I can't pretend to say otherwise. I don't, however, read anything on the PC Gunsmithing Services site that clearly indicates any of their packages include this check-up, so I'd give them a call ahead and ask them outright. Let us know what they say...

 

[CraigC]

I think I'll always prefer a custom gunsmith. Seems to me that the factory `smith's will always have a lawyer looking over their shoulders.

 

[788Ham]

Okay guys, I'm not illiterate, but what does the MIM in the MIM parts mean?
Thanks ahead of time.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Parts produced through Metal Injection Molding

 

[Robert Wilson]

I have had several MIM guns worked over by S&W's "authorized repair centers". The original MIM parts were retained. The actions are as good as anything I have used (including trigger jobs on pre-MIM guns performed by nationally known American Pistolsmith's Guild/Club 100 gunsmiths) and have so far lasted for many thousands of cycles.

I dislike MIM on principle, but in reality I have not yet seen any downside.

 

[Old Fuff]

Au contraire - Randy Lee's hammer will work with The Lock.

In the opening post, GeorgiaRaised85 inquired about work being done at Smith & Wesson's Performance Center. Thus I didn't consider aftermarket parts. Lee's parts are of unquestionably high quality, but not many people are willing to spend $142.00 on a hammer alone. If one was, they would work in his model 629 revolvers, but I can't see going to the trouble unless other lockwork (especially the trigger and rebound slide) were also replaced, and considering parts and labor the cost would be, to say the least, meaningful. However to each his own...

As far as I know, Lee, and no one else make a hammer for one of the *42 series of enclosed-hammer pocket revolvers. However if GeorgiaRaised85's revolver does not have the lock then an earlier pre-MIM hammer might work, and unquestionably a pre-MIM trigger and rebound slide could be used.

And if he's willing to pay me $142.00 plus labor for the trigger assembly... well ...

Wouldn't the Performance Center check for the timing, endshake, crown, forcing cone, etc. prior to doing work?

Yes they would.

 

[Armed012002]

I asked because the Performance Center guns don't appear to have MIM parts. Or at least the trigger and hammer are not MIM.

I assumed the Performance Center uses forged parts for their action jobs based on the above observation.

Also, when I sent a 66 to them 5 years ago for an action job and refinish they removed my old parts and put in new parts. I guess my 66 was worn out

I'm curious as to why the Performance Center chooses to use forged parts for their guns.

 

[Old Fuff]

Supposedly the S&W factory doesn't have any more pre-MIM hammers and triggers, and in any event the hammers wouldn't work in those revolvers that have an internal lock, and using the triggers would involve replacing other parts as well. I don't know of any of the pro-smiths that specialize in S&W action tuning that prefer the newer parts if they had a choice - which most of the time they don't. So they live with what they have to live with, and still do a pretty good job.

The Performance Center has the option of using both company and aftermarket parts if they want to, where others usually make do with what's ever in the gun that shows up on their bench. Obviously replacing hammers, triggers, and other parts can substantially raise the cost of an action job to well over what most potential customers are willing to pay. The same can be said of the Performance Center, although it is the company's position that the MIM parts are superior to all those made formally, so there is no reason to change them out - even if/when they can be. Custom made hammers @ $142.00 are another matter, but I will leave them to someone else.

It is a simple fact of life that current production guns have to be made using modern technologies to be economically viable. To make them the "old way" would price them out of the reach of most of the market. Custom-built or modified guns (such as the Performance Center or the work done by the best pro-smiths) appeal to a different sub-market that is more willing to loosen their pocketbooks - at least sometimes. Ultimately one has to face the trade-off between what they want to have vs. how much they are willing to pay to get it.