S&W 642 Airwieght

[goldcup1911]

Just purchased the above referenced revolver new from local dealer. The trigger pull is extremely heavy (off the scale of my trigger pull gauge). Can anyone here recommend a reputable gunsmith to lighten and smooth the trigger on this revolver? Thanks.

I tried the Wilson Combat J Frame Spring Kit. I experienced about 40 % light strikes.
I tried the Apex Kit with a longer firing pin. Lighter and much smoother trigger pull.
100% reliable.If you watch the videos, relatively easy install. Good Luck.

 

[Blaster229]

Mine is a no holster coat pocket gun. I ain't lightening anything. It has exactly 5 practice rounds through it. I press the trigger, it will hit anything out to 10 yards easily one handed. Requires exactly zero practice to be proficient with it.

 

[RFBfromDE]

I tested the 642 and BG .38 Special together and got the BG .38 As I liked the trigger better.

But there isn’t anything wrong with the 642. I’d put snap caps in it and pull the trigger a few hundred times.

After you get used to it you may like it!

 

[Bullfrog]

How pocketable is the 2" S&W Model 327?

That looks weird and hot at the same time.

 

[TI-tick]

I tested the 642 and BG .38 Special together and got the BG .38 As I liked the trigger better.

But there isn’t anything wrong with the 642. I’d put snap caps in it and pull the trigger a few hundred times.

After you get used to it you may like it!

Maybe I should make a pole about snubbies?

 

[RFBfromDE]

 

[Bullfrog]

Maybe I should make a pole about snubbies?

Wouldn't be a very long thread.

 

[TI-tick]

Wouldn't be a very long thread.

Perhaps, but some acorns grow to mighty trees!

 

[Bob A]

How pocketable is the 2" S&W Model 327?

That looks weird and hot at the same time.

Certainly strange. Kinda reminds me of the cut-down Enfields.

For pocket use. I'd stick to concealed/shrouded hammer. Also heavy; half pound or more than the J-frames.

 

[teratos]

Wouldn't be a very long thread.

Could be a wide one…

 

[TI-tick]

Could be a wide one…

Thanks for the support doc, I know MDS enjoys my poles.

 

[TI-tick]

Mine is a no holster coat pocket gun. I ain't lightening anything. It has exactly 5 practice rounds through it. I press the trigger, it will hit anything out to 10 yards easily one handed. Requires exactly zero practice to be proficient with it.

If you do any classes on the ES I'd attend. I also have access, very restricted, to a small redneck private range not far from St. Michaels if you are in the hood and inclined. Me and maybe my Uncle who shoots 40.

 

[John from MD]

Just purchased the above referenced revolver new from local dealer. The trigger pull is extremely heavy (off the scale of my trigger pull gauge). Can anyone here recommend a reputable gunsmith to lighten and smooth the trigger on this revolver? Thanks.

In lieu of a gunsmith, try this. Throw 5 fired cases or snap caps in the cylinder. Cock the gun and put a few drops of any good oil (not WD40!) at the lowest part of the hammer that you can see in the action. Now, sit in front of the boob tube and start doing double action pulls. Do this for a half hour every other day for a couple of weeks. You can practice drawing and firing as well. Make sure you are pulling straight back with only your index finger.

This will accomplish the following.

1. It will make your trigger finger stronger and get you conditioned to not moving the gun when pulling the trigger.

2. It will polish the hammer, trigger, sear, bolt etc. making the operation of the revolver very smooth.

Replacing springs on a J frame used for self defense is asking for a failure to fire when you hit a hard primer someday. Don't do it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I tried the Wilson Combat J Frame Spring Kit. I experienced about 40 % light strikes.

Not Wilson specifically . But this illiustrates the irony of light weight springs .

In order to releliable , the lockwork must be fully smoothed and polished to eliminate parasitic friction losses .

But if the gun is that slicked up , you probably won't feel the need for lighter springs .

 

[Bullfrog]

Cock the gun and put a few drops of any good oil (not WD40!) at the lowest part of the hammer that you can see in the action.

642 doesn't have an exposed hammer.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Love my McGivren and Keith .

But in Modern times , Grant Cunningham and Ed Lovette have written excellent treatises on snubby revolvers .

 

[Biggfoot44]

Not sure why you disagree. Between the physiological response issue and the size+reliability, they seem perfectly suited to the task at hand.

Doubtless they have other uses as well, of course.

I can't read Ti- Tick's mind , but likely he is pushing back against the myths that J Frames ( and small frame snubbies generally ) are * only * good for belly to belly , bad breath distances .

Yes , it is difficult to shoot them to their potential .

Yes , it is a big step forwards to have a baseline of DA trigger skills . Basic trigger skills learned on Medium frame DA Revolvers translate to a significant degree .

My rule of thumb , is J & similar be able to shoot as well , at aprox 2/3 the distance as a K & similar revolver . Kind of similar relationship as pocket size 9mm vs belt size 9mn .

 

[Bob A]

642 doesn't have an exposed hammer.

True.

First 2 minutes should do the trick:

 

[Biggfoot44]

How pocketable is the 2" S&W Model 327?

That looks weird and hot at the same time.

Maybe if " pocket " means a Woolrich Parka .

It's light weight , what with Titanium and Scandium , but it's still an N Frame .

 

[Bob A]

I can't read Ti- Tick's mind , but likely he is pushing back against the myths that J Frames ( and small frame snubbies generally ) are * only * good for belly to belly , bad breath distances .

Yes , it is difficult to shoot them to their potential .

Yes , it is a big step forwards to have a baseline of DA trigger skills . Basic trigger skills learned on Medium frame DA Revolvers translate to a significant degree .

My rule of thumb , is J & similar be able to shoot as well , at aprox 2/3 the distance as a K & similar revolver . Kind of similar relationship as pocket size 9mm vs belt size 9mn .

Can't disagree with the above.

If I can hit center of mass at 20 feet (or most likely less) I'm comfortable. That's the mission.

Beyond that it's all beer and skittles, and the likelihood that I'll survive to enjoy them. (Unsaid: Or die trying).