Best Value S&W Gunsmith

[jad0110]

Hello everyone.

I searched THR and the web and could find the specific info that I was looking for. I apologize if I've overlooked it.

As you can see from my sig line, I own 4 S&W revolvers. Two older, two nearly new. None of them (not even the 1959 K-22 M17-0) have that wonderful, velvety smooth pre-war S&W DA trigger pull. The K-22 and Model 14 have what I would call "decent" actions, and the J-Frame 642 is "acceptable". The 642 would be better (it is smooth), except it has a lot of creep. My 686 DA pull is fairly gritty with an inconsistent release and lumpy return. Not good.

Note that I detail strip and clean/lube my revolvers every 6 months to a year.

Basically, I am looking for the best all around value in an action job. I'd really prefer to keep it under $200 per gun, as a I have four to do currently. And I am not merely looking for a lightened pull. I am looking for a slick, linear, creep-free DA pull with a clean, crisp letoff and a firm, smooth, positive return. While maintaining or perhaps improving upon reliability. No light strikes. Again, the benchmark would be pre-war S&Ws.

If there are gunsmiths that fit the above in Eastern NC, that would be all the merrier.

 

[MrBorland]

Maybe check out Matt Almeda. Specializes in revolvers, and just up the road a bit in Suffolk.

http://www.revolverarmorer.com/

 

[Brian Williams]

Try S&W
Try Mark Hartshorn at Pinnacle High Performance

 

[jad0110]

Thank you for the suggestions. I had forgotten about the S&W PC , oops.

 

[Oro]

Also, note in their product section S&W offers something like a "speed" (I can't recall the exact name) package that includes priority service, shipping both ways, etc., - it can make them very price competitive that way.

 

[Rover 'n Rugers]

You might consider Alan Tanaka as he has done a number of S&W revolvers for me at a very reasonable cost and turnaround. His action tune is around $100 last I knew. He does not have a website but does have email. Check the link below:

http://www.americanpistol.com/guild_member.php?mbrid=66

He has done a number of things for me on the revolvers including rebarreling, tuning, round and polish the trigger, new sights, etc. The work is top quality and you can get him on the telephone or email relatively quickly. My tuned K, L and N frames by him come out at 7.25 to 7.5 pounds double action, single around 2.5 and I have not had any misfires (the .22LR will be a bit heavier). The pulls are not gritty even on my MIM guns.

 

[Sheldon]

With the costs involved with shipping guns, you'll end up paying $100 just for the roundtrip. I would try to find a good local smith if possible before going the shipping route. That said, I'm fortunate to be close to Alan Tanaka and he is a good guy.

 

[9mmepiphany]

when i was shooting PPC i learned that a true "action tune" is more than just smoothing contact points and that there were almost as many S&W butchers as there were 1911 "part swapping" hacks

most of my S&W actions were done by Bill Davis Co...they are long out of business...and i taught be that the old actions really could be matched with good handwork. i thought that was the last word in action tunning until i got a chance to try some ICORE wheelguns. a well tuned ICORE wheelgun can surpass the fambled trigger pull of the old Smiths and still be reliable.

i wouold highly recommend that i take a look at Randy Lee of Apex Tactical www.apextactical.com

his competition DA N-frames have the lightest DA i've ever felt and it runs as fast as any semi-auto