Wolff Vs Wilson Combat Spring Kit for S&W 625: wich one is the best?

Status
Not open for further replies.

LukeP

Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2008
Messages
16
Hello folks,
i polished internal part of my 625-8: as a result SA 3,5lbs, DA 9,7lbs, SA is crisp and nice, DA is smoother but i wish to reduce a bit more DA pull.
Wich spring kit you suggest as the best one, for reliable function on 625?

-Wilson Combat Custom-Tune Spring Kit S&W K, L, N-Frame
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=365183

-Wolff Shooter's Spring Pack with TYPE-2 Reduced Power Mainspring S&W K, L, N-Frame
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=222267

Wich is the correct rebound weight range to buy?

Best regards,
LukeP.
 
What are you using it for? Competition or carry? Both? Do you reload?
The Wilson main spring looks as though it will give you a lighter trigger, notice it hooks more at the top end. Their are trade offs to this such as a lighter hammerfall resulting in zero ignition with harder primers. Federal primers are generally accepted as being the "softest" and allowing the lightest trigger pull.
 
Go with the Wilson. Their mainspring is flat and doesn't chew up the screw that puts tension on it. The Wolff mainspring is ribbed and chews up the screw badly
 
Neither, you can bend the factory mainspring around a mandrel thats about the size of a broomstick while its in a vice, Bend the top 1/3rd. If the spring almost touches the rear part of the grip frame when the strain screw is full in, your about right.
Now trim the length of the trigger return spring so all functions well.
This will give you a DA action job that will only work well with well seated Federal primers.
A trick that took me thirty years to learn is to stone a bevel on the rachets on the ejector star. Check out the angle and contact points of the hand when it returns after you release the trigger. The top inside angle of the hand has to drag accross a sharp edge on the top of a stock rachet. A little bevel cut there will reduce drag, this will allow the trigger to reset easier.
If you put a small angle there the hand-trigger will return under less spring tension. Don't touch the outside edge of the rachet.
If you have polished the parts and all is good you don't need after market springs. Just bend and cut the factory stuff.
 
Thank you for detailed replay.
I'll use my 625-8 PC, five inch, most DA speed shooting.
I haven't the courage to cut down hammer spur..., at least in this 625PC.

I reload, and i found either federal and winchester primers.
I notice many advice pro/against extended firing pin: imho, if it weight more, it's not so helpful.

Thank you,
best regards,
LukeP.
 
Do not alter the OEM springs! I have 'repaired' three such gunsmith 'trigger jobs'. The flat hammer spring is too easily bent out of plane of it's intended bend - and clipping the end of the trigger return coil gets the flat surface off - and leaves a burr that can also drag inside the trigger block. New lower rate springs are inexpensive - and you'll have the OEMs to return to, should you be so inclined. As to spring rate choice, if you are a competitor, time is more important than the softest trigger. You need a quick return on the trigger - retain the original return spring or use the stoutest example from the Wolff kit. For reliable ignition with a 625, ie, moonclipped .45 ACPs, consider the 'full strength' hammer leaf - it will still be an improvement. Only go to the reduced level spring if you can limit your ammo to Federally primed.

Now - the real key to a 'proper' hammer leaf replacement - the strain screw. In the 625JM and 627 Pro, at least, the 'tuned action/trigger' means a filed strain screw to 'fit' the flat spring. It will work into the hollow back of the ribbed Wolff spring, lessening it's pre-load - but making for a light trigger. Sadly, it also makes for ftfs. Get thee to a Home Depot - Fastener aisle - look for the cabinet with drawers and odd bits. You need a hardened SS 8-32 x .5" socket headed set screw. If you don't have an Allen wrench to fit, you'll need that, too. The set screws are poly bagged 2/$.56. Some blue Loctite is needed, too.

The gun must be unloaded. You should have the new spring in place - the sideplate on. Coat the set screw's middle with blue Loctite - allow it to slightly set - 15 minutes. Insert it, and, if it's a rimfire, put some snap caps in the cylinder's chambers. After getting much of the new screw into the frame, test the DA trigger - adjust it to get it about where the trigger feels like it did with the ftfs - give it a 1/4 turn CW (in) and test the revolver with live ammo - at the range. If you still have ftfs, another 1/4-1/2 turn CW (in) should take care of them. When the right spot is found, set it aside overnite to permit the Loctite to dry.

Another approach some use is the 'extended firing pin' - which isn't extended, it just has a bit more range due to a wider slot in it's barrel. It can flatten the miniscule fp return spring, so I don't use it. If your fp is really short or worn, get a proper fp. With moonclipped .45 ACPs, flat moonclips, a clean area under the ejector star, Federal primers, good brass (I buy fresh Starline - for my revolvers only - $137/1,000 delivered - no range sweepings!), etc, are all important. Ranch Products had their excellent moonclips blued for ~$30/100 delivered.

A smooth trigger with MIM parts is easy - clean the manufacturing dirt/crud out of the frame innards, lube & re-assemble. Dry fire 1,000+ times. Repeat clean and very lightly lube - voila, instant 'trigger job' (And a stronger trigger finger.).

Remember - competition means speed - fast trigger returns are important, so that spring should be stout. For us mere mortals, soft springs - and Federal primers - rule. Save the OEM springs!

Stainz
 
Trigger return spring

Put the clipped end of ther rebound spring next to the retaining stud.
Put the mainspring and bending mandrel in a vice, bend it with out twisting.

Many shooters including myself have broken Cyclinder and Slide firing pins.
 
Extended pins are good, however the C&S ones are crap unfortunately.
Welcome to THR Luke. I would also like to invite you to join Brianenos.com where you will find an immeasurable amount of info on 625's including the -8's (usually) undersised chamber dimensions.
 
I guess my answer would be, What's wrong with a 9 lb pull? As long as it is smooth 9lbs is not bad.
 
Thank you guys, for you gentle welcoming.
This is exactly what i'm doing:
-polishing things.
-reassemble with grease with molybdenum.
-dry fire (with snap caps) at least 1000 times, i'm now over 500 (a bit every evening).
-disassemble, cleaning, lube and test with OEM spring and wilson spring.
DA is definitely smoother, small amount of work, but definitively usefull, expecially around rebound spring box; a bit less weight it will be right enough for me only because many shoots hurt a bit my finger.
Yes, i'm lurking on Brian Enos; about undersized chamber dimension, only one heavy hot commercial brand fatigue to eject free when hot weather in my 625-8, now with cold temperatures no problem at all.
Thank you again,
best regards,
LukeP.
 
After polishing and checking hammer lateral play, i installed Wilson 12lbs rebound spring, and tested also Wilson mainspring.
In my 625, with the screw all-in, Wilson mainspring is heavier than original one... maybe is intended for use with shortened screw..
So i made a little bend on s&w mainspring, and obtain a really nice trigger feeling: DA pull is something around 7,5 lbs, smooth and lovely, not hurting my trigger finger; rebound spring work fast and well.

Goes Bang every time with Winchester primers. :) ;)
I tested dropping the round in the chamber without moonclip, didn't ignite.

I'm quite satisfied, a few hours of job and dry firing, a book and the forum's friends, good results. Coming soon first target.. :neener:

Thank you very much,
best regards,
LukeP.
 
You must us Federal, or it goes bang every primer brand?
I could go down more with trigger pull, but i want fast trigger return and 100% reliability both with reloaded WLP and commercial round.
 
Naaah,

On ALL my S&W wheelguns I use Federal self defense ammo. It is as good as the best of any brand, and possibly superior to most . . . and best of all, Federal ammo uses FEDERAL primers!;)

On my tricked out competition revolvers I discovered that MOST brands of primers go bang ALMOST every time . . . but almost isn't good enough in competition . . . for it will make ya LOSE. "Almost" has even worse consequences in self-defense!

CCI primers are the hardest. Use 'em only in autos. Remington is always fine in stock revolvers (in good condition), as are Winchesters. Winchester primers are also USUALLY reliable in competition-modified revolvers.

There again . . . why not use Federals all the time? They require the lightest strike of all the primers, and this is what you want in a revolver!

Federal 150 large "pistol" primers RULE in .45ACP . . . and Federal 100 small "pistol" primers are best when small primers are needed.

By 'em by the thousands and you'll always have what ya need on hand!

If you don't want to use Federal primers, don't modify your trigger pull.

T.

PS: On the coil mainspring J frame Smiths, a stock J-frame in proper condition can use any of your popular brands when shooting double action with reliable ignition.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top