Adjusting trigger pull

[doctor p]

Hello!

I have a S&W 38 special police revolver like the one in the picture which (I hope) is attached. Great gun.

Problem is, it has a killer hair trigger. It is so touchy it once went off as I was bringing it up, only touching the side of it. I don't dare to bring it to my range when anyone else is around.

Is getting it back to normal something a non-gunsmith can do, or should I take it somewhere? Anybody had a similar problem?

[Ahab]

If you like the gun, send it back to S&W. You don't need a FFL. They will do a good job for a nominal fee.

[Dee]

Sounds to me like someone has been working on it that didn't know what they were doing. That pistol should have a drop safety in it. If it went off just touching the trigger on single action someone has taken it out. Idiots think the drop safety removal lessens the trigger pull. That's why they are called idiots. If you don't understand what I am talking about, here is a simple test. EMPTY GUN! Cock the hammer and drop a pencil in eraser first. This will protect the firing pin. The pistol should be pointed straight up toward the ceiling when performing this test. Next, take another pencil and tap (not push) the trigger until the hammer falls. The pencil in the barrel should not move. If the pencil exits the barrel or jumps almost out, the drop safety has been removed, making for a very dangerous pistol. Your pistol is designed, where the trigger has to be held back to fire. Pulling the trigger also holds back the drop safety. The test I described releases the trigger, but does not hold it back. This should activate the drop saftey if it is still there. This part is a drop in part, and in-expensive.

[Hammerdown]

Hello
I agree with the other responders on this But To add to the thread, you should take the revolver EMPTY and pull the hammer all the way back, to the full cocked Position. With the hammer back and the revolver pointed in a safe direction "even though it is empty treat all as if they are loaded", try to push the hammer off by applying pressure to the rear of the hammer without Touching the trigger. If the hammer stay's cocked it is considered safe, and perhaps you may want to keep a light trigger. if this is the case practice carefully until you are getting a feel for the hammer, as it can actually improve your ten ring scores having a Light trigger Pull, often prevent's flinch. If the hammer dropped by simply applying Light pressure to the back side of it while NOT touching the trigger , Time to get another hammer in that gun before a serious acident happens. A hammer that can Push off is considered VERY dangerous and needs to be replaced promptly. After replacement make certain the Old Hammer is destroyed & discarded to keep somone else from using it and causing a Fatal accident accident. Regards, Hammer down

[doctor p]

Thanks Hmmerdown, Dee and Ahab!

I tried the pencil thing you recommended - problem was, the barrel is really long and I couldn't find a pencil long enough so that I could see it when I put it down the barrel. So, I folded up a piece of paper and put it between the pin and the cylinder, cocked the hammer, pulled the trigger and looked to see if any impression had been made on the paper. Nothing there.

Next I tried what Hammerdown said and, sure enough, the cocked hammer drops when you push on the back of it.

Not good.

So, I've locked up the pistol and will not be using it until it is repaired.

Thanks very much for all your help. Have a Merry CHRISTmas, and remember the birth of our Saviour as you go about Christmas busy-ness!