Spring Kits (J Frame)? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Spring Kits (J Frame)?

Posted: 10/12/2014 11:02:21 PM EDT

Just picked up a used S&W 442. Shoots well but def has seen better days. I plan on having it refinished.

What's the word on upgrading the springs, worth it? Is there a consensus on which kit is best (Apex, Wilson, etc)?

Any other worth while upgrades I should look into?

Posted: 10/13/2014 8:01:08 AM EDT

[#1]

Ordered an Apex kit last night so I'll let you know sometime this week. From what I've read its not a dramatic improvement but you notice. Smooths out the trigger pull. Knocks the pull down to 9lbs from 12+.

Posted: 10/13/2014 8:44:25 AM EDT

[#2]

Been a while since I have played with spring kits but they used to come with multiple weight springs. You try one and see if it works ok or if you are getting light hits.

There is quite a bit of difference between different brands of ammo which I guess is mostly primer hardness.

Range gun this doesn't matter much but it is something to be conservative with on a defense gun .

Posted: 10/13/2014 8:45:26 AM EDT

[#3]

My advice is if the gun goes bang every time do not invite trouble with misfires by changing springs. Revolvers and j frames in particular are sensitive to developing misfires with light springs. Since a 442 is a carry gun anything that decreases reliability is a no no , regardless of any modest improvement in trigger pull. If you are going to carry it and put wear on it anyway I do not even see the point of refinishing honestly.

Posted: 10/13/2014 9:35:38 AM EDT

[#4]

Don't bother. The j frames don't lend themselves to tweaking like their larger brothers. They need a pretty stout spring to operate properly. I have not had much success with spring kits in the J's. Nor Colt Detective Specials for that matter.

Posted: 10/13/2014 3:14:30 PM EDT

[#5]

I have the Ajax in my 340. Works fine. Its only a little bit lighter than stock and lights everything reliably.

Posted: 10/13/2014 7:33:17 PM EDT

[#6]

I used the Apex kit with the extended firing pin. Carefully polished the rebound block and made sure to lube the friction points with Brownell Action Lube. Made quite a noticeable difference from stock. Rebound spring tool was a huge help.

Posted: 10/13/2014 10:02:32 PM EDT

[#7]

I also installed the apex kit and stoned the side plate/rebound bar contact area. The changes were a pretty solid impact and would reccomend them.

Posted: 10/13/2014 10:27:07 PM EDT

[#8]

Put apex kit in a 637, smoothed out trigger, reduced pull, after a couple of hundred rounds no malfs

Posted: 10/14/2014 8:58:32 PM EDT

[#9]

It's not a good idea to mesh with spring on a J frame.

Like Yeager or not he's right on the mark with this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MawzcjM5dYc

Posted: 10/18/2014 2:02:34 PM EDT

[#10]

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_5_33/154113_.html&page=1

Posted: 10/18/2014 11:22:10 PM EDT

[#11]

I put an Apex kit in mine over a year ago and it did wonders for the double action and single action pull. Also just over 400 rounds of reloads thorough it since the upgrade and NO light strikes. Take your time and polish the bottom of the rebound slide with some Flitz.. One of the best upgrades you can make to those revolvers.

Posted: 10/19/2014 2:43:46 PM EDT

[#12]

I put an Apex kit in my 642 and one in my 360PD; I also did some light polishing on the 360, the 642 was already smooth from lots of shooting and lots of dry firing. No issues with either gun. The kits did lighten the triggers a bit and both guns are still reliable with multiple brands of ammo so I guess it's worth it.

Posted: 10/21/2014 7:54:01 AM EDT

[#13]

Apex kit for my 360

No issues

Dave N

Posted: 10/23/2014 10:44:09 AM EDT

[#14]

I have an apex kit in my 642. The install is easy as long as you take your time. I also did some light stoning/polishing. I have also installed the kit in two other 642s for my dad and uncle. In my opinion, they make a HUGE difference in trigger pull. Especially if you take the time to do some polishing while you're in there. No problems with reliability with any of the three that i have worked with.

Posted: 10/23/2014 3:59:36 PM EDT

[#15]

Apex kit is definitely worth it.

Posted: 10/24/2014 1:02:27 PM EDT

[#16]

I installed the Wilson kit in my 638 and it improved the trigger slightly.

You can't go much more than "slightly" with a J without compromising reliability.

I'm going to try the Apex kit in my 442 at some point.

Posted: 11/2/2014 9:43:40 PM EDT

[#17]

The 442 I bought used already had the Apex kit installed....It did fail to fire on some of the Ranger loads I tried & on some WWB. But the gold dots I use have not had a problem. I don't use it for SD though.

Posted: 11/2/2014 10:44:20 PM EDT

[#18]

APEX kit in my 442. Noticeably improved trigger and no issues in 400+ rounds, many of them my own reloads.

Posted: 11/5/2014 5:41:03 PM EDT

[#19]

It's been said before--don't put a spring kit in a J-Frame Smith and Wesson. Even if the primers ignite 100 percent of the time, the rebound is crucial. It's fairly easy to "float" the cylinder when you're shooting a small-framed revolver if your hands are larger--particularly under stress.

Posted: 11/23/2014 6:36:29 PM EDT

[#20]

I put lighter Wolff springs in my 442 Pro and like it. However, just today I ordered the Apex kit. My trigger weight may actually go up with the Apex kit. I have had zero issues with the lighter Wolff springs.

Posted: 11/25/2014 7:11:35 AM EDT

[#21]

I just installed the Apex duty/carry spring and firing pin kit in my Model 638. I never got to shoot it yet but I can tell the DA is much more smoother and lighter than factory. I slightly polished the rebound spring slide and followed the video instructions on the Apex website verbatim. It was easy to do and I'm looking forward in installing another kit in another revolver.

Posted: 11/25/2014 9:55:16 AM EDT

[#22]

I had the apex kit in my 642 for a while. It did improve the trigger pull, but it also caused light strikes on cci primers. Make sure you test your carry ammo thoroughly if you decide to add a spring kit to your carry gun.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Spring Kits (J Frame)?

Handguns » Revolvers

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