Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Do a J-Frame Trigger Job on a Smith & Wesson

The J-frame is Smith and Wesson's small frame revolver. It is compact yet relatively powerful, making it a common handgun among citizens who legally carry concealed weapons.

One drawback of the J-frame is that it lacks the smooth trigger action for which gun enthusiasts laud Smith and Wesson's medium- and large-frame revolvers. The situation has worsened by manufacturers' fear of product liability, which dictates that guns leave the factory with overly heavy trigger pulls. Fortunately, basic tools and readily available parts allow the firearms hobbyist to perform a simple trigger job.

Things You'll Need

Revolver service manual
Gunsmith's screwdriver set
Shop towels
Power rotary tool with felt polishing bob
Polishing rouge
Gun cleaning solvent
Gun oil
Reduced-power trigger spring set

Instructions

- 1
  Unload the revolver and remove all ammunition from the working area.
- 2
  Remove the grip screw and grips. Lay the revolver on its left side on a shop towel. Remove the sideplate screws and sideplate.
- 3
  Remove the hammer strut from the grip frame. Remove the spring from the strut.
- 4
  Apply rouge to the polishing bob. Polish the nose of the hammer strut where it fits into the hammer. Also polish any rough areas on the sides of the strut.
- 5
  Remove the rebound slide, which is just behind the trigger. Also remove the spring that is in the rear of the rebound slide. Lightly polish the slide and the area where it rides inside the frame.
- 6
  Clean all working parts of the revolver with solvent. Get all the polishing rouge out. Apply a drop of oil everywhere metal touches metal.
- 7
  Replace the rebound slide spring and hammer spring with the reduced-power springs from the kit. Reassemble the revolver in the reverse order of disassembly.

Other Hobbies