S&W Model 17 DA pull

B

Beretta686

New member
I just picked up a NIB S&W Model 17 .22LR and it's an absolute joy to shoot (aside from the way too small grips, but that's easily remedied).

While the SA trigger is fantastic, the DA leaves much to be desired as it's a very uneven pull making good DA shooting pretty difficult.

Is this something which just needs a break-in period or is it normal?

I've been shooting wheelguns for quite a while and have a S&W 686 which had a fantastic DA pull right out of the box, same with my Super Redhawk in .44 Mag. I've never had a revolver with such a crummy DA pull before.
 
Mine certainly wasn't much to write home about either. However, Brownells sells a fantastic DVD which covers all the ins and outs for completing an action job.

Or, place a purchase for a Wolf 12lb rebound spring and make a trip to a Gunsmith and ask him to install it for you and smooth up the rebound block & relieve it's sliding corner- that alone will make a world of difference. Also, you can ease up just a tad on the mainspring strain screw. It's never been set in stone that those things must be bottomed out.
 
The .22s need more spring tension than the centerfires to ensure reliable ignition so don't expect a light DA pull on your K-22.
 
Aye, and when he gets mis-fires, that's the time to run it back in 1/2 turn at a time until it gets reliable again. The mainest thing that will help him is a smoothing of the rebound block and a 12lb rebound spring.
 
I bought a mod. 17 like 15 or twenty years ago, (or more?) ground down the main spring took a couple of coils off the trigger return spring and have been shooting it ever since. It has accounted for lotsa jack rabbits and ground squirrels and thousands of of aluminum and steel cans, Wish Fosters still came from Australia in their steel oil cans). I may have put 100,000 rounds thru it, I wasn't counting. Took it to the range last summer and shot 1 5/8th" off a rest. Pretty good for 61 year old eyes. I has never had anything replaced or fixed it is a great shooter. Got a 4" 617 a few months back and as soon as I get a chance will GRIND its springs too.
 
Is this something which just needs a break-in period or is it normal?
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My 17-5 is 1987 vintage and it's a real joy to shoot. The DA pull is a little stiff compared to my 38spl k-frames, but it isn't a lot stiffer. It'll smooth out with use. You might think about getting some snap caps and dry firing it some to get the action worn in a little.

Regarding the grips: I put a Tyler T-Grip on mine and now it's almost perfect.

Enjoy! It's a great plinker.
 
B686- if your 17 is a new model you might want to send it Smith, they can clean up the DA pull. If it is an older model that you bought NIB you may want to try pulling the side plate and checking to be sure there isn't some old greas/oil that is affecting the DA pull. Not uncommon on guns that have sat for long periods of time. The pull may be stiffer than you are used to for the reasons mentioned above but should be smooth.
 
Beretta686:

A good pistol smith can put an action job on your 17 that will put a Python to shame. I had my Smith & Wesson done and I'm happy with it.


Semper Fi.

Gunnery Sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
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I'd just keep shooting it to let it break in. Unless there's a genuine problem, it will even out soon enough. I've had a few NIB S&W's and they were all a little crunchy at first.

But as others have mentioned, if the action feels sluggish, then you might want to flush it with a lubricating oil. It may be that the original lubrication has hardened and needs to be dissolved.
 
I have been putting the Wolff spring kits in my Smiths. I like the 14 pound rebound spring and the full power main spring. Slicking up the innards helps a lot. I've got the price of a good trigger job or two invested in tools and the Khunhausen manual, but I've done 15 guns.

I don't like the lighter mainspring even for center fire. I hate the click on a live primer.

Did you get the 17 "Classic"? I got the 25-15 45 Colt Classic and love it. Also got the 4" 617. Did trigger jobs on both.
 
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