What are the appropriate trigger weights?

[Peter M. Eick]

Ok, so I bought a lyman trigger gauge and decided to measure my revolvers. Here is the data first

Diamondback 38 SA 4lb 8.3 DA 9 lbs 3.5 oz
Python 357 SA 4lb 14.8 DA 10lbs 14.0 oz
S&W 38/44 SA 2lb 15.8 DA 10lbs 11.5 oz
DW MD-15 357 SA 3lb 15.0 DA 11lbs 4.0 oz
S&W K22 mast. SA 3lb 10.0 DA 10lbs 9.0 oz
DW 722 SA 5lb 6.0 DA Greater then 12 lbs (lyman max).


Ok my question is this about what they should be? I noted that the two 50's S&W's were less then 4 lbs SA along with the DW (Monson) MD-15. They seem the nicest as I was testing them.

First off is the 38/44 to light for safety? It is very smooth, but it sure is light (very consistent from chamber to chamber).

Also the gun I have shot the most, the Diamondback has the lowest DA weight. I assume this is because I almost always shoot it DA?

Anyway, I am just looking for insight into the data. Tomorrow I will try all of the 38/357s at the range to see how I do.

 

[Sunray]

They're all too heavy on DA. Although smooth is more important. About 5 to 7 is ok as long as it's reliable and smooth. And yeah, the 38/44 is a tick light That's light fora rifle. However, if you're paying attention, all the time, to it and depending on what you use it for, it's not necessarily unsafe.

 

[E357]

On the Smiths (Double aCTION) anything below 7 lbs will not set off (100%) factory loads unless they are using Federal primers. Seven lbs is the absolute lowest I ever got my Smiths down to. 8 - 9 is nice for competition. With a defensive gun I would go up to about 10 lbs.

Again with the Smiths (SINGLE ACTION) some guns will function as low as 1 1/2 lbs but the lowest normally is about 2 lbs. Most people will feel that something about 2 1/2 lbs is perfect (light).

Elliot

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Thanks for the input.

All of my revolvers are "range queens" so carry is not an issue. I was surprised at how heavy the DA strokes were. I was expecting it to be much lower then that.

 

[Blueduck]

FWIW, they inspect our carry guns each qualification and test trigger weights. Any doubleaction pull below 8#'s is not accepted and springs must be replaced. Single action pull is not even tested as part of the reliabilty inspection.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I doubt there is such a thing as a right trigger pull. Personally, I like extremely light triggers, but I've met shooters who consider mine unsafe.

 

[Majic]

Trigger weight is a personal issue. Take for instance Sunrays remark about rifles. I think rifles should never be more than 2lbs, but that's my personal opinion. If the weight feels light to you then adjust it to a more comfortable level to suit your style of shooting.

 

[bountyhunter]

On the Smiths (Double aCTION) anything below 7 lbs will not set off (100%) factory loads unless they are using Federal primers. Seven lbs is the absolute lowest I ever got my Smiths down to. 8 - 9 is nice for competition. With a defensive gun I would go up to about 10 lbs.

I've tuned up a SW or two for light pull comp guns. I have gotten my older 686 DA pull as low as 5.4#, that does require good primers for reliable DA ignition. On a typical SW action job (with Wolf or Miculek reduced power springs), the DA pull should drop down to somewhere between 7 and 8 pounds. If you know how to mirror polish all the appropriate internals, you can get it down to about 6.5#. IMO, these should be 100% reliable with any GOOD ammo. I'm sure you can find a dud or two in the cheap stuff.

SA pull with reduced power springs usually will run between about 2 and 2.5#. The SA pull is very dependent on which rebound spring weight you are using.

 

[E357]

bountyhunter: I did not mean that's it's impossible to get the DA pull lower than 7 lbs. only that I do work for a number of shooters and I don't always know what they will be shooting etc. We could also be measuring trigger weights in a slightly different manner. As to the Wolf reduced mainsprings - I've got a buch of them that I've removed from "customer's" guns and replaced with stander power springs - but I still use them if they work in a particular gun. It's more than just polishing - the dimensions of every gun and spring made are not EXACTLY the same. It's like those "drop-in" matched 1911 parts - they always need a little fitting to be at their best

I am not a professional gunsmith, I only work on Smiths and T/C Contenders and only for people who I meet at matches that ask me to work on their triggers and I do it for free.

Elliot