Model 38 trigger job

Exspiravit

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Neighbor brought this to me wanting the trigger pull lightened. She doesn't have the hand strength to make it go bang.
Believe it's a 1982 Model 38. "J9" serial prefix, no dash on the frame model number.

Will the Apex kits work for these older pistols?
Heck, should I even toy with something this nice?
 
Polish contact points lightly and/or Wolff mainspring and trigger return spring will lighten it up.
 
So, the geometry on these is poor. The levers are short the hammer light and the springs heavy. All part of a compact revolver of its era. None of the older J frames will ever pull like the larger frames or even the LCR. If like my mom, she has weak fingers, you'll probably never get it light enough to be pullable for her with reliable function. Best factory DAO trigger on a 38 special is probably the Ruger LCR. Have her rent and shoot one. If she likes the ruger, a sale of that smith will more than pay for the new revolver, ammo and even a holster and fancy hearing protection.
 
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So, the geometry on these is poor. The levers are short the hammer light and the springs heavy. All part of a compact revolver of its era. None of the older J frames will ever pull like the larger frames or even the LCR. If like my mom, she has weak fingers, you'll probably never get it light enough to be pullable for her with reliable function. Best factory DAO trigger on a 38 special is probably the Ruger LCR. Have her rent and shoot one. If she likes the ruger, a sale of that smith will more than pay for the new revolver, ammo and even a holster and fancy hearing protection.
I too was going to suggest an LCR. I even have a nice one I'd swap even :D
 
I too was going to suggest an LCR. I even have a nice one I'd swap even :D
I bet you would.

I guess I'll try a spring change. If that doesn't satisfy her, maybe I'll suggest something else.
I don't know why little old ladies want snubnose revolvers. My CCW class years ago the most frail woman in there showed up with a 357 air weight snub. The instructor finally took it from her and let her use one of the 22's so she could qualify.
 
I bet you would.

I guess I'll try a spring change. If that doesn't satisfy her, maybe I'll suggest something else.
I don't know why little old ladies want snubnose revolvers. My CCW class years ago the most frail woman in there showed up with a 357 air weight snub. The instructor finally took it from her and let her use one of the 22's so she could qualify.
It's not always that we want the air weight/snub nose revolvers, it's that a gun shop guy tells us it's what we need, and sometimes we don't know enough to say NO! Ask me how I know this! LoL.
 
It's not always that we want the air weight/snub nose revolvers, it's that a gun shop guy tells us it's what we need, and sometimes we don't know enough to say NO! Ask me how I know this! LoL.
I think it's ignorance on the employees part too.
If you're going to push something on someone they don't need and can't use, why not sell grandma a Deagle and get that sweet commission?
 
Change the trigger return spring. Careful with the main spring. You'll start getting light hits on primers.
 
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