S&W 3rd. Gen drawbar: is a "mirror shine" required to smooth DA pull?

[Ignition Override]

Already disassembled/reassembled the frame components once, a few days ago.
The multiple videos by "blubelly2" are Superb. I here specifically refer to "Gunsmithing the 3rd Generation S&W Pistol Video 2 Of 4".

I used only 220, then 400 plus some 0000 steel wool on the Drawbar.
* He used 220, 320 then 600, plus Dremel polishing with Mother's --- whatever product.

His shine created a mirror finish - looked impressive -- and he was satisfied with results when re-installed. Nothing else he did seemed to be connected with the DA pull "feel".
> My Drawbar's resultant shine is fairly bright, but the DA pull seems to have no improvement (and it never was bad).<

If anybody could answer my original topic question, it would be appreciated, and thanks to the superb videos by "blubelly2" I don't mind another detail strip etc.

 

[wiscoaster]

The difference between #0000 and Mother's is amazing. Though I don't know if that answers your question. There are so many places where friction occurs. Polishing only one of those to the utmost may not be noticeable.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

The difference between #0000 and Mother's is amazing. Though I don't know if that answers your question. There are so many places where friction occurs. Polishing only one of those to the utmost may not be noticeable.

I've found pin base surrounds and the corresponding planes on the associated components to be a great drain on revolver action smoothness. Even on some Colts and S&Ws of the vaunted *hand-fitted* days when production might have been ramped-up for whatever reason.

So; "... is a mirror shine required to smooth DA pull?

Not necessarily and specifically if there are other drags left unattended. I've seen fellas hyper-focus on the obvious to the point of detrimental attention while the ultimate issue is elsewhere on the line of the action.

Todd.

 

[Ignition Override]

Thanks gents.

Possibly I missed some small component improvement which was In Addition to his drawbar work?

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Thanks gents.

Possibly I missed some small component improvement which was In Addition to his drawbar work?

Entirely possible.

Think of the trigger-bars and their contact points too. Dry fitting it after marking it up with a sharpie or lay-out fluid might bring something to mind. But DA puts the entirety fo the hammer & mainspring in the equation as well.

Todd.

 

[Ignition Override]

ApacheCoTodd:

I'll have to review the other subjects covered here--other than the drawbar polishing.
If he said anything significant about the mainspring/hammer (etc), I certainly skimmed over them, or misunderstood any such importance.

 

[wiscoaster]

.... I've seen fellas hyper-focus on the obvious to the point of detrimental attention while the ultimate issue is elsewhere on the line of the action.

Ditto.

Action friction reduction is more of an art than a science. If you pay attention to how the parts interact and where they contact each other and where there are signs of wear and just use some common sense to address those then the sum total of all your little improvements can be pretty dramatic.

 

[BBBBill]

I'm all for slick, but there is danger in chasing it too vigorously. You can get so focused on removing all of the machining marks that you reduce the part dimension enough to affect correct function. Parts can start to move enough in directions that they are not intended to move to induce all kinds of gremlins. So proceed carefully. Better to just stone the tops of any rough areas to produce some flattened tops on the high spots than to try to get all of it out if the results are a drawbar that floats side to side. Also see the tracks in the frame wher it rides.

I've seen shim stock soldered to take up unwanted lateral play in parts. I've thought of using hard plastic/Delrin "buttons" in some cases. Someone beat me to that with Delrin inserts in the top/bottom of a 1911 trigger to eliminate vertical slop and provide a smooth sliding surface.

 

[Ignition Override]

BBBBill:
Roger that. It’s good that you warn the hardcore “home brew alchemists” about the engineering limitations.

Two extremely tiny “hooks” engage the 3rd Gen. trigger draw bars (in the aft section), and nobody sane would want to alter those, or anything else very small.