MIM parts and action jobs

[John Wayne]

I'm considering having some action work done on a S&W model 442 airweight. It was recently purchased and has the lock, and MIM parts.

Not knowing a whole lot about trigger jobs (which is why I don't do them ), my basic understanding is that there is some filing/stoning done to select surfaces, as well as general polishing and tuning/changing of springs to get a better trigger pull.

My basic understanding of MIM parts is that they're a cheaper substitute for forged or machined parts, but tend to hold up almost as well. I've also heard that while the expected life of these parts is longer, the inner surfaces of these parts are highly susceptible to wear once the outer (hardened) layer is worn off by wear or polishing.

I looked on the C&S website (which is where I'm considering sending it) and found no mention of MIM vs. standard parts with relation to their work. How will these parts affect the process? If I'm going to spend that much money on an action job, will I be better off to buy an older J-frame (pre lock, pre MIM) and have work done on it?

By the way, here is what I'd like to have done. I'd appreciate suggestions as to other respected gunsmiths that can do this as well:

Chambers mirror-polished
Chamfered charge holes
Flat cylinder latch installed/factory one machined flat and corners rounded
Action/trigger job (smoothed and lightened but w/ reliable igniton for carry)
Tritium front sight insert
Rear sight "dotted"

And I don't know if this is even possible, but can the front lug be removed from underneath the barrel to allow a full-length ejector rod to be fitted, or will this cause lockup problems?

Thanks for any help.

 

[RON in PA]

A bit of advice from a cheap old fart that has shot revolvers for 40 years, don't waste your money on an action job. Shoot and dry fire the snot out of your revolver, within 500-1000 shots you will have an "action job". Also your trigger finger will develop some muscle.

If you still want to spend your money you can send it to Smith and Wesson, they have several tune-up packages for revolvers that will do most of what you want. Check their homepage.

 

[9mmepiphany]

a basic trigger tune is atainable through dry firing...assuming you don't have major machining flaws in the mating surfaces.

a good trigger tune takes about 2k rounds...all you sliding surfaces should have rubbed smooth by then.

an action tune involves truing and properly aligning all parts of the action and cylinder...which might not have been the case when it left the factory...not somthing any amount of rounds through the gun will address.

don't confuse this with truing a gun, which has to do with the exterior surfaces

you might research where you're thinking about sending your gun for work. C&S is neither the most cost effective nor the cutting edge as to S&W actions

 

[.38 Special]

I have had Bolsa Gunsmithing -- the West coast warranty center for S&W, which is conveniently located in my back yard -- do several action jobs on new S&W revolvers this past year. These guns now have some of the best DA triggers I have ever used, and they seem to be holding up just fine. So I would have confidence in the ability of the MIM parts to take and hold a good action job.

 

[Jim K]

It looks to me like MIM parts basically render most of the traditional action job unnecessary. One of the major parts of a action job was to smooth out crossways tool marks on the trigger and hammer and remove burrs, but MIM parts don't have tool marks or burrs. Then, there was the danger of cutting through the case hardening, but MIM parts are hard all the way through, so that isn't a problem.

I am sure there are still things to smooth up a bit, but it appears that some spring work may be the only thing needed on the new S&W's.

Jim

 

[BigEasy]

Professional Action Work

HI John Wayne:

The finest pistolsmith that does action work, and the other revolver work you wanted, is
Teddy Jacobson in Sugarland, TX. His carry action job is very, very smoth.
You won't regret his work, he has been doing this for about 40 years.
His website is www.actionsbyt.com and phone # is (281) 565-6977.

Dan