trigger job on S&W revolver

[mjb]

I recently purchased a S&W model 49 .38spl. I have noticed when I shoot it the trigger is a little too heavy for me. My hands are large and when I dry fire the revolver it isn't a problem, but when I am shooting it the recoil moved the gun around in my hand. I asked the guy in the gun shop how much a trigger job would cost and he told me that no one wants to do trigger jobs anymore because of the fear of a lawsuit. Is this true? I don't want a hair trigger, just a little adjusting.

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

sounds like you need some different grips, there are many available...

to lighten the trigger a simple swap for lighter springs will take care of that, you can get the springs from brownells...

 

[Clemson]

If you really want a trigger job, there are plenty of good gunsmiths who will do one. It sounds as though you would benefit from a different pair of grips for your revolver. Several companies sell more hand-filling grips than the original equipment. This is from S&W's on-line catalog:
S&W Combat Grips

The larger grips may keep the gun from moving while you are shooting it.

Clemson

 

[DragonFire]

Tyler t-grips may also be an option. It fits behind the trigger guard to fill up that space. It prevents your hand from slipping up in recoil. Just do a web search on it. Several companies offer them.

 

[mjb]

Thanks for the information. I have a pair of hogue rubber grips, but I wanted to have the gun as small as possible. I might try the tyler grip adapter, and the lighter springs.

 

[Old Fuff]

Keep in mind that its those stronger springs that insure the gun will go BANG! every time, not just some of the time ...

 

[Standing Wolf]

Keep in mind that its those stronger springs that insure the gun will go BANG! every time, not just some of the time ...

That's true. Lighter springs sometimes fail to function and/or fail to function reliably.

If it's a carry gun, you need to put a hundred or two hundred rounds through it without any problems after any work has been done on it. That applies to replacing springs, adjusting the main spring, trigger jobs, new internal parts, et cetera. There's no substitute for total reliability in a carry gun.

 

[HankB]

You might consider doing a trigger job yourself. There's a video by Jerry Miculek called, appropriately, "Trigger Job" which goes into action tuning in some detail. It's really most applicable to flat-mainspring guns like the K, L, and N frames, but some of the stuff ( like polishing the rebound slide) will be pretty much universal.

If you're unsure of your own ability, in the video Miculek mentions which parts of the process are less critical . . . just stay away from the more critical stuff and you should be OK.

For a J-frame carry gun, I would NOT consider trimming or replacing ANY of the springs with anything other than OEM replacement parts . . . and then, only if they needed it.

 

[mjb]

THanks for the ideas. I have left the springs alone. I took the plate off and lubricated it really well. That helped a little. It was bone dry inside when I first took the plate off. I already have a Colt Cobra and so I am thinking about trading it for something else.

 

[mjb]

Traded for a pre 82 S&W model 66 4inch barrel.

 

[Clemson]

The model 66 is one of my all-time S&W favorites. You did well!

Clemson