Improving Trigger Pull On S&w Autos?

[The Mighty Beagle]

Let me first begin by stating how great my 4516 is as far as handling, ergonomics, and reliability are concerned. It's even fairly accurate for what it is ... And now the downside -

The trigger pull is simply unacceptably stiff. I ordered this gun and have owned Smith's before, and so expected this but still the gun could be so much easier to shoot.

I have been told by someone at Novak's that there's not much that can be done to improve on the single-action pulls ... but I'm finding this hard to believe. My 4516-1 has a great trigger in some respects; double action is buttery smooth, and single pulls and breaks very smoothly with a quick and light hammer fall. Of course, this model has the spurless hammer, so it has less mass I guess.

I don't think combat-type shooting would be affected much by it. I'm not really worried about shooting at someone more than 10 - 15 feet away, for which the trigger would never be inadequate.

The problem arises when you try to fire more than a couple mags. through it bullseye-style, because the S.A. pull must require 10 pds. of force to actually set the thing off. I like to handload and test for accuracy in my guns, so this is a bummer. My hand just wears out too quickly trying to fight the HEAVINESS of the pull. My groups aren't bad, there's just too much struggle going into acheiving them.

Again, I'm not complaining, and am working on strengthening my grip. I have learned to accept things for what they are, and at $375 (in VG-Exc. condition) this is a wonderful CCW package regardless.

Anyway, I know on Browning HP's, the mag. safety is removed to help lower pull weight, so why wouldn't this work on S&W's? Could I order a new trigger spring, or polish something? Are there any books to refer to?

I am a total newbie to gunsmithing (though not to guns), so please forgive me if this question has an obvious answer. I do however want very badly to learn some simple 'smithing, and for me the only way to learn is to do it. Don't worry, I'll be conservative about my modifications.

P.S. if it requires sending my gun away to some famous pistolsmith, I'm not going to do it. I'd rather just put up with the heavy trigger and learn to cope. Part of the appeal of buying this gun was to get a police surplus "bargain beater" so I don't intend on putting any more money into it.

 

[Old Fuff]

Fooling with that particular design of Smith & Wesson autoloader can be a big mistake. It's easy to end up with a condition where the sear catches the hammer's half-cock notch and it doesn't fall all the way. You might experiment with a set of aftermarket springs, (which are inexpensive - see www.brownells.com) but remember reducing the mainspring may cause mis-fires with some cartridges or primers.

If you're looking for tight groups on a bullseye target, and don't have a lot of money to spend, change directions and buy a good revolver next time.

 

[Traveler]

There's a couple reasons gunsmith's (famous or not) dispise S&W auto pistols. Listen to the above advise.

 

[The Mighty Beagle]

Thanks guys, sounds like I might just as well leave it alone. I'll look into the springs and continue practicing.

BTW I have many revolvers for target work, but just have the compulsion to "play" with my autoloaders as well, just to see what they will accomplish given the right handload. I find them fun for target work only because that is such an inappropriate use for most of them.

Now when I get serious about shooting some groups, the Dan Wesson comes out....

 

[Old Fuff]

O.K. … Playing with autoloaders is allowed with adult supervision.

If accuracy is what you’re looking for go to a 1911 Government Model platform. Match barrels are available that lock up the breech end, and the barrel bushing makes it possible to properly support the muzzle. You won’t find this on the current crop of European wonder-whatever’s. This is not to say they aren’t good weapons, just that they usually aren’t superbly accurate. You can also get a much better feeling trigger - both in weight and crispness on a G.M. because it’s straightforward and doesn’t have to work an optional double-action system too.

And if you have a Dan Wesson you can’t be too dumb either ….