S&W double action conversions

Correia · February 20, 1999, 05:41 PM

I was wondering about the S&W 3rd gen auto pistols. Their performance center advertises a DAO conversion. When you do this with a standard gun w/safety, can you still engage the safety. I have been thinking about getting one of the new chiefs specials in .45, for IWB carry. I have tried other S&W with DAO from the factory, and it was a relatively smooth pull for every shot. Alot lighter than the standard pull. I would like to retain the use of the manual safety though. (I think that it's a psycological thing, I just like manual safetys and double action on any gun I carry in my pants.) Have any of you had this done?

Daniel Watters · February 20, 1999, 06:35 PM

It is possible to retain the safety lever when converting a standard S&W auto to DAO. I've even seen a conversion where a factory S&W DAO had the safety lever retro-fitted.

This may have changed, but you might check whether they are just removing the single-action option from your pistol (leaving you with your current long DA stroke only), or if they are installing the short-stroke DAO parts. From information and belief, they are only doing the former.

Best wishes,

Daniel

[This message has been edited by Daniel Watters (edited February 20, 1999).]

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February 20, 1999, 05:41 PM	#1
Correia Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 1998 Location: SLC Utah Posts: 3,740	I was wondering about the S&W 3rd gen auto pistols. Their performance center advertises a DAO conversion. When you do this with a standard gun w/safety, can you still engage the safety. I have been thinking about getting one of the new chiefs specials in .45, for IWB carry. I have tried other S&W with DAO from the factory, and it was a relatively smooth pull for every shot. Alot lighter than the standard pull. I would like to retain the use of the manual safety though. (I think that it's a psycological thing, I just like manual safetys and double action on any gun I carry in my pants.) Have any of you had this done?

February 20, 1999, 06:35 PM	#2
Daniel Watters Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 1999 Location: USA Posts: 644	It is possible to retain the safety lever when converting a standard S&W auto to DAO. I've even seen a conversion where a factory S&W DAO had the safety lever retro-fitted. This may have changed, but you might check whether they are just removing the single-action option from your pistol (leaving you with your current long DA stroke only), or if they are installing the short-stroke DAO parts. From information and belief, they are only doing the former. Best wishes, Daniel [This message has been edited by Daniel Watters (edited February 20, 1999).]