Looking for a light single action trigger

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The Good

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Hi guys,

As I shop around for my next gun.. A lot of things have come up to consider.. And since I live in an area where it's not so easy to go try out a lot of guns, it's good if I can narrow it down by asking questions here whenever possible.

So there's a good chance my next gun is gonna be a revolver in .357(but it doesnt have to be) The first gun i bought was for carry, the 2nd for home defense. My next will be more of an all purpose/fun at the range gun, and I want it to have a light, smooth trigger pull

So i'm hoping you guys can give me thoughts or recommendations. I'm looking for a full sized da/sa revolver that points naturally and has a light trigger pull in single action.

So im hoping you guys can help me out by giving me the type of information you can normally only get by going and trying out the gun.
 
Factory guns are good starter kits. Even the best factory gun doesn't really compare with one that's been breathed on by a good gunsmith.
 
A good single action trigger that will not impede your accuracy is found on most S&W and Rugers. It is the DA pull that makes a difference. For bullseye accuracy, choose one that fits your hand and balances the best. Buying NIB over the Internet is fine if you already know what you want, but not until.

The best trigger pull/break I've ever encountered in a DA revolver? The Colt Python.
 
I suggest S&W model 686. Usually has a very good action out of the box and a good gunsmith can make it about anything you want.
 
I would support buying a 357 also because it is not a common semi-auto round. You will hedge your ammo supply in case it goes to heck again. Yes basically a 686 vs GP100. The Ruger has a spring/plunger front sight mount if you want to try different kinds. The SW is indeed the gunsmiths darling.
 
If I were looking for a 357, I'd check out gunbroker.com.

A nice looking older 357 that's been broken in is what I'd want.
A GP100, or a Service Six, or Security Six from Ruger.
Or a S&W 581 or 586 (I'm partial to blued guns)

Good luck
 
Generally speaking, I would rather handle an older revolver before paying for it.
 
Then, depending on how old it is, one might take to a "good" smith and have an action job done on it, neighborhood of $65.00. If you get an older S&W, maybe just having new springs put in will take care of it, good luck!
 
Then, depending on how old it is, one might take to a "good" smith and have an action job done on it, neighborhood of $65.00. If you get an older S&W, maybe just having new springs put in will take care of it, good luck!
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Unless it has been abused, an 'older' smith, does not need an action job or new springs. They were pretty perfect when they left the factory. By older I mean just about anything pre-lock and pre-MIM parts. 1960 or older they were even better.

So many to choose from. If you want a 357 with adjustable sights on a large frame there is the Model 27, and 28. If you want adjustable sights on a medium frame there is the Model 19. If you want fixed sights there is the Model 13 on the medium frame. Probably a few more that I can't think of right now.

Generally speaking, I would rather handle an older revolver before paying for it.
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Me too. I wouldn't dream of buying any firearm I had not personally inspected.
 
I would look no further than a Smith & Wesson. Old or new production.

They come with very good/light single-action triggers right from the factory.
 
I reckon it depends on what you consider "light". Obviously by most of the responses, most differ from mine. I wouldn't consider any box-stock revolver to have a "light" trigger. Most of my guns have a single action trigger of 2-2.5lbs and I consider that to be just right. "Light" would be considered the USPFA .45 at 1.75lbs and that is too light.
 
In this context I am almost sure he meant light and clean-breaking, minimal overtravel.
 
Thanks guys I appreciate all the input so far. Let me answer the few questions and give a little more info
If it was between the 686 and the gp100, i'd take the smith.. So if that's what it comes down to.. That's my choice. The reason for that is I own two Smith and Wesson revolvers. I taught myself to shoot with one. I've had training for a job with one. Ive also had training for work with a couple semi autos, and ive had a lot of practice with a few semi autos i owned, but the s&w revolver is something i'm not only extremely comfortable and confident with, but also that i enjoy very much for a number of reasons. I also think they're the nicest looking revolvers, and since I'm buying this thing for fun, that matters. Sorry Ruger guys.. Nothing against you or the GP100 i'm sure its a great gun.

A few people asked what i meant by 'light'. I didn't know that could mean more than one thjng, so sorry for that. What i mean is i'm looking for a trigger that is easy to pull smoothly while maintaining proper form, not shaking, and not losing my sight picture inadvertantly. I don't mind a heavy trigger jn double action. By heavy i mean it takes strength to pull. In single action i want the trigger to be very easy to pull. Someone pointed out the possibility of a trigger that is too light, and i'm glad you mentioned that.. I still want to feel a little friction. This isn't for competition target shooting.. I just want it to be more on the light end of things.

A few people mentioned buying a used gun.. Nah that's not my cup of tea. I like a brand new gun.

Someone mentioned the colt python.. I know very little about this gun so i'm gonna do some research, but could you trll me why you recommended it to me?
EDIT: Looked it up.. Appreciate the history lesson, and it's obviously a great gun, but not near my price range right now

Lastly, everyone who suggested a s&w said 686. Is there a reason no one has mentioned the 627? I was looking at it on s&w's site and i thought it was impressive. But that's why i'm here interacting with humans
 
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A few people mentioned buying a used gun.. Nah that's not my cup of tea. I like a brand new gun.
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Then you don't know what you're missing. Almost all my guns are used. Dozens of them. I almost never buy a new gun. New guns are much more expensive. A quality firearm will last a lifetime and it will usually be much less expensive.
 
A nice pre lock model 19 S&W or a 686 would be right up your alley. Spring kits are cheap for them. I have several and to be honest with you, a good spring kit and lots of shooting and dry firing and the triggers are very, very nice on them. I use them for my bullseye league.
 
The Pythons were allegedly hand fitted. Each has two hands to lock the cylinder, as if it were welded in. It sports a full underlug, later adopted by S&W and Ruger. Finish is the most gorgeous deep blue you can find anywhere. (Other finishes are also tops) The DA trigger motion is the smoothest of all. The barrel is slightly tapered for accuracy. Most agree it is the most accurate production revolver, or as good as any other. Thank you for letting me gush about it. Downside? Just one. If something goes wrong, know that Python gunsmiths are a dying breed.
 
Almost any decent mid- or full-size revolver will have a good SA trigger. Do you mean DA? SA means manually cocking the trigger first, then firing. A good DA revolver pull is harder to get, and what people often have work done to acquire.
 
For a range gun I'd suggest a S&W that has a Wolff spring kit installed. The SA trigger on such a gun is delightful.

With a S&W/Wolff kit in SA mode there is no friction or distance of pull that I can measure. Pressure just builds to something like 2lbs and the hammer suddenly falls. It is as close to the classic description of "breaking a glass rod" that I've felt.

It's too bad that you don't like used gun as the classic old timers are often found in excellent shape. In particular the long barrel guns which tended to be cared for somewhat better as they were range guns only. In many cases used by folks that protected the guns well to ensure their continued accuracy. And in that line few guns perform as nicely as the classic K frame guns IME. And few new guns have the rich and polished deep blueing as the models from the 50's thru 70's from what I've seen.

The search for a GOOD used gun may take you a little time. And I agree that it's nice for a keeper of this sort to actually handle it in person. But I can assure you that the effort will be worthwhile.

But if you really must have a new gun I'd suggest looking at the S&W Classic lineup. In particular their 586.
 
A few people asked what i meant by 'light'. I didn't know that could mean more than one thjng, so sorry for that.
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Everything is relative and "light" is a very subjective term.
 
Almost any decent mid- or full-size revolver will have a good SA trigger. Do you mean DA? SA means manually cocking the trigger first, then firing. A good DA revolver pull is harder to get, and what people often have work done to acquire.
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No, I mean single action.. as in the hammer is cocked. As I mentioned, I have lots of experience with very few guns. I don't know what the norm is. I wouldn't know if a light trigger pull was the norm for revolvers in single action. I prefer not to have a light trigger in double action
 
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