What should the trigger pull be on an LC Smith?

Posted by Jeff on July 11, 2012, 4:19 pm
24.24.245.205

I am just curious what the typical or standard trigger pull should be? I would not expect it to be too light - but I just recently got this old Elsie and it seems to have pretty stiff trigger pull. I have never measured a "Trigger Pull" - but mine seems like it may exceed 5lbs a bit. this is the relevant posting here I could find http://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/msg/archive/1250543049.html any advice or trigger pulls or info to share - I'm here to learn... Thank you

Re: What should the trigger pull be on an LC Smith?

Posted by Bob Hamilton on July 13, 2012, 12:39 pm, in reply to "What should the trigger pull be on an LC Smith?"
38.98.140.67

Hi Jeff, Good question. I seem to also have a trigger pull issue, but in the other direction, my 1898 00 Grade seems to have a very light front trigger. I shot her for the first time last weekend on the sporting clays course and had the right barrel go off before I was ready (not good in any situation). My shooting buddy gave it a try and had the same thing happen, so I believe it’s a trigger pull issue and not operator error. So back to the smith to look at the trigger pull and to see why it’s so hard to break open (had to really muscle it open over my knee). If someone knows what the standard trigger pull is on a LC double trigger and any other information on adjusting this, etc., it might be helpful to pass-on to my gunsmith when I drop her off next week. Thank you in advance for any information. Best, Bob

Re: What should the trigger pull be on an LC Smith?

Posted by Drew Hause on July 13, 2012, 2:45 pm, in reply to "Re: What should the trigger pull be on an LC Smith?"
68.2.111.76

Jeff & Bob: this is Bro. David's image, showing the tip of the sear in the hammer notch Over thousands of shots, the sear (usually the right) becomes rounded causing a light trigger pull or doubling. I had Dan Lammers (no longer in Phoenix ) work on one of my guns and a crisp trigger is a thing of wonder. The usual double gun pulls are 4 1/2# forward/ 5# rear, or slightly less for target guns.

Re: What should the trigger pull be on an LC Smith?

Posted by Bob Hamilton on July 15, 2012, 9:28 pm, in reply to "Re: What should the trigger pull be on an LC Smith?"
76.217.111.150

Thank you Drew. If the sear has become rounded do you know what the repair might be, maybe a replacement, and if so would a new sear have to be fabricated? I would really like to get this old LC back in good shooting condition. Bob

Sear repair

Posted by Drew Hause on July 15, 2012, 9:39 pm, in reply to "Re: What should the trigger pull be on an LC Smith?"
68.2.111.76

A good smith and a small file

Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites

Posted by Bob Hamilton on July 16, 2012, 12:18 pm, in reply to "Sear repair"
38.98.140.67

Drew, Excellent, I like that answer! Also, I found if I put 2 ½ shells (last of my New Era lot) through it I had no problems breaking open the gun. She does not like the Win AA Xlites at all, almost impossible to break open. I know she is chambered for 2 ¾ but maybe it has something to do with the AA hulls (and the fact that they are 2 ¾) or the design of the base/primer (just know that they don’t work for some reason). Not sure if others have had the same issue with the Xlites. They work great in my '47 field grade. Thanks for your help. Bob

Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites

Posted by patriot on July 17, 2012, 10:15 am, in reply to "Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites"
24.14.161.55

I've had two guns in the past that were hard to break open after firing. The shell lifter did not have full free travel, epecially when seating back into the barrel recess. Did a little file work on the ends of the lifters until they seated easily. Problem solved. Also, check the noses of the firing pins. If they are not rounded and smooth they may be sticking in the soft primers of the AAs. Look for little drag marks on the primers from a stuck firing pin.

Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites

Posted by Will Favre on July 17, 2012, 10:35 am, in reply to "Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites"
208.7.132.226

Bob, May want to check the firing pins for excessive clearance between the OD of the firing pin body and the ID of the receiver. I had one where the pins had been replaced and were too small on the OD. They would tilt and bind when the action was opened as opposed to being pushed back out of the way.

Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites

Posted by patriot on July 17, 2012, 11:02 am, in reply to "Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites"
24.14.161.55

I just checked the trigger pulls on my five Elsies. They range from 3 lb to 7 lb. Average for the front is 4 lb; back 5 lb.

Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites

Posted by Bob Hamilton on July 17, 2012, 12:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites"
38.98.140.67

Guys – Thanks for all the info, very much appreciated. I now have a much better idea of what could be going on with the trigger and the difficulty in breaking open the gun. Just a thought, not sure if the design of the forcing cones on a 1898 00 Grade could have something to do with having a hard time breaking the gun open, as I only had the issue with the 2 ¾ shells and not the 2 ½ shells (maybe I can only use modern 2 ½ shells even though she is chambered for 2 ¾). I could be way-off base on that but thought I would throw that out there. Bob

Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites

Posted by patriot on July 17, 2012, 3:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Sear repair/AA Xlites"
24.14.161.55

The 2 1/2" may have harder primers and almost certainly less pressure. I would look for a binding shell lifter (extractor)012782 when seated.