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S&W 642 Airweight

2K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  joker18 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
This is for those who have maybe purchased a S&W 642 Airweight, and excitedly took it to the range and after half a box of ammo downrange said "Holy Shite" my hands hurts like heck. This happened to me and was the causative factor that pushed me to purchase a Ruger SP 101 because it was a wee bit heavier and easier on the hand. I put the 642 up for sale however before it sold I saw a video on YouTube about how different grips drastically reduced felt recoil and made the little pistol fun to shoot. I decided to buy a set because I really did like the way the 642 fit in my front pants pocket, in a pocket holster with no printing. The grips were a Hogue grip that completely enclosed the grip frame and was soft over the backstrap. It filled my hand and actually placed my finger on the sweet spot of the trigger. Simply changing the grips allowed me to comfortably shoot any ammo for which the pistol was rated and I could shoot as much as I wanted with no hand fatigue. The next and last thing I did was purchase a set of trigger return springs and hammer springs from Wolff Gunsprings. The stock S&W hammer spring is a 9# spring and the S&W stock trigger return spring is an 18# spring. The combination of the two springs is what contribute to the heavy stock trigger pull. I watched a good YouTube video that clearly shows how to replace both springs. I replaced the OEM 9# hammer spring with the Wolff 8.5# hammer spring and the OEM 18# trigger return spring with a 14# Wolff spring. I have to say what a difference. S&W revolvers have always had a smooth trigger pull, and with the new springs, my shot groups tightened up with less flyers and the 642 has now become my favorite EDC. I still have the Ruger and kept it because it will shoot .357 magnums however it is not as concealable as the 642. So if any of you have a 642 and it pains you to shoot it, the grips and springs were < $30.00 and I feel like I have a custom revolver I can shoot all day.
 
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#4 ·
It doesn't appear to have light primer strikes. I only dropped 1/2 lb. on the hammer spring weight. On the 642, part of the total factory weight trigger pull is the trigger return spring. The trigger return spring however does not affect the hammer impact on a primer.
The trigger return spring affects trigger reset speed and power.
I always test my firearms for function and reliability after replacing parts, especially critical parts, because every firearm is different and sometimes the after market parts manufacturers are over optimistic about their stuff.
 
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