S&W 3913..Lady needs a trigger job..any help?

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pazsint

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Picked up a like new Smith Mdl 3913 and the pull is rather heavy, especially for my daughter. Does anyone know the home-smiths routine fro lightening polishing and substituting springs fro this series? Is there a post somehwhere that would help me out ?
Thanks !
Dan in PA
 
I'd suggest that you leave it alone.

No doubt that you can find someone who will accept your money and clip off a few coils on a spring or two.

If the lady can not cycle the slide or use the double action trigger, then, maybe, a different platform may be the best solution.

Everything is a trade off...mess with this side of an equation, then there are consequences on the other.

Keep the thread going and let us know what you discover.

salty
 
I'd ship it off to S&W's Performance Center.

They have S&W specialists (obviously) and it is my understanding that if they do the work then your warranty is not affected.

I plan on doing that with my wifes 442 which has a very stiff trigger.
 
If she has that much of a problem with it, sounds like a single action such as a 1911 would be more ideal. Flick a safety, and sque...eze. Don't even get the word "squeeze" out before the hammer drops. Slender and easy to grip, as well.
 
IMHO, 3rd Gen S&W centerfire auto pistols aren't really a home-'smith project unless, of course, you're a seasoned pro. I, personally, wouldn't tinker too much with one as the margin-for-error is more narrow than for some of the more "gun plumber-friendly" handguns. But the 3913 is a GREAT handgun.
 
S&W 3913 trigger pull...

Thanks for all your replies guys...I had more of a chance now to clean re-lube and shoot the 3913, and with practice one seems to begin to adapt. She likes this gun a lot, and if she also doesn't adapt to the trigger pull, I have on order a set of springs to try. I also ordered a set of drawings, and found enough tech specs to stay out of trouble. I see what you're saying that these models are not to be detailed stripped without a S&W armorer for backup, and I will avoid that necessity.
I have done others, and of course did my two 1911's. they both now have no creep, no overtravel, and break like glass at 3 3/4 #'s. She shoots these but doesn't like the recoil or the weight...so for now will try to lighten the 3913 a bit and report back here the data.
 
My wife used to shoot a 3913, and I like them a lot.....but when she tried an hk p-7 she fell in love. If you can have her try one and she doesn't mind the weight, the trigger is awesome right out of the box.
The 3913 has been sold and I'm looking for another p-7(for ME, guess who has mine;)).
Sorry, I know you weren't asking for other gun ideas, I just couldn't resist given the fact that my wife was less than enthusiastic about the double action first shot, and I think the p-7 is an absolutely great handgun.
 
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You should really try shooting it and/or dry firing it. My S&W 410 seemed really awful out of the box. I gave it a good cleaning and lube, and took it out to the range. A few hundred rounds later, I think it smoothed up quite a bit. I think you may be surprised how it changes after some use.
 
You seem determined to go about it your own way, and thats cool.

I still suggest that you leave the springs on the 3913 as they are.

If your lady does not have the strength to cycle the fire control linkage, its kinda doubtful if she could cycle the slide or clear a double feed.

I think that you just wanna mess with the '13 and are looking for someone to suggest that you do just that.

No disrespect, but thats the way it seems.

Respectfully,

salty
 
Update on 3913 Trigger Job...

The springs came in, so I first replaced the Hammer(mainspring) with a 17 #. The factory was 20#. This noticebly reduced the pull, so at least I can set it off without shaking so badly. It dropped from the factory pull of 12 1/4# to 6 1/2 #'s..a nice differnece indeed. I will shoot it this way for awhile, as will others, and if not good enough I have also obtained two trigger return springs, a 2.5# and 3 # whereas the OEM is 4 #'s. These I'll try last, as I'm aware it takes keen knowdledge to reaseemble the pistol. I also found an aluminum trigger shoe, which I will try next to gain control over the extreme take up, and the fact my finger is pulling and dragging on the rear part of the trigger guard, ; it should also help reduce the sensed/felt pull.
Will post results later..thanks for tuning in .
Dan
 
Because my groups were still 6" and larger, I noticed that the crown had not been properly finished by Smith. Even as third owner of gun they sent me a pre-paid mailer to do a target crown on barrel, and while gun was in I asked them to lighten or smooth up trigger pull... all at no charge ! When gun came back I reinstalled the 17# mainspring, changed out the trigger return for the 2.5 #spring, and installed and Ace trigger shoe. Now the pull is down to a crisp clean 4 #'s and groups have tightened considerably... like 2 1/2 " at 25 yards. So we are very happy with the lightened "ladysmith' and just tickled with S&W ! :fire:
 
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