Revolver With Lowest DA Trigger Pull?

ronto · September 18, 2018, 12:54 PM

I presently carry a Ruger SP101 with a DA trigger pull of about 14 pounds. I have developed arthritis in my trigger finger and this is becoming a problem.
What revolver rated for 357 Magnum or 38+P has the lowest DA trigger pull in pounds?
Thank you for your replies.

Scoits · September 18, 2018, 01:19 PM

Trigger pull is changeable by any competent gunsmith. You should be able to get any poundage you desire

Jim Watson · September 18, 2018, 01:25 PM

The Ruger LCR has the lightest FACTORY double action pull I have seen in a small revolver.

Gemini does deluxe SPs with DA in the 9, 10, 11 pound range but I don't know if they will do JUST that without their high, higher, or very high priced package redos.

T. O'Heir · September 18, 2018, 01:29 PM

Factory triggers don't count. They all need work. The manufacturers are all terrified of frivolous law suits.
However, if you have arthritis in your hands it's not the trigger pull that'll hurt most. It's gripping securely enough and the recoil.
Mines in my hips and feet of all places. Daft that it doesn't hurt to walk though. Worst thing was the bone spur(one of the joyous side effects of arthritis) that grew where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel.
Isn't the weight of the pull either. It's how smooth it is. So pick a revolver that fits your hand and have a trigger job done. Tell the smithy about the arthritis.

jfruser · September 18, 2018, 01:32 PM

ronto:

I am a S&W guy all the way, but the Ruger LCR has a relatively light DA trigger--though its trigger pull L-O-N-G relative to the S&W J-frames. Feels like they made that trade-off deliberately. The LCR is light and will have more recoil than the SP101.

The SP101 has a gawdawful trigger pull and reset, IME.

Smith & Wesson K-frame and L-frame DA trigger can be tuned to be very light. And used & inexpensive K-frame .38spl (+P if you want) M10 and M64 revolvers are just a smidge larger than your SP101. If you want .357mag, it will cost a few more $$$.

If you are open to semi-autos, but still want a longer DA-ish trigger pull that happens to be light, the striker-fired pistols are an option. Glock, S&W M&P, etc. Used Glocks are cheap, though more in .40S&W than 9mm than in years past. Not to my taste, but hey are reliable options.

2damnold4this · September 18, 2018, 01:59 PM

The Kimber K6s has a great factory trigger pull.

AzShooter · September 18, 2018, 03:17 PM

I use to use "The Gunsmith" in Phoenix, Az. to do all my revolver work. He would give me, and all competition shooters a 7 pound trigger pull. For a carry gun trigger pulls were set at 9 - 10 pounds for reliability with all ammo.

I've since learned to do my own trigger work and get them down to 4 1/2 - 5 pounds for competition but would never suggest that in a carry gun. I smooth the out and keep everything stock in the gun. Again, they run between 9 and 10 pounds double action.

Old Smith & Wesson's have great smooth triggers. Smooth is more important than the poundage.

HighValleyRanch · September 18, 2018, 04:16 PM

It's not just the actual weight of the trigger pull, but how smooth, whether it stacks or is smooth all the way through, how crips the break is, whether you can stage the trigger, etc.

Another factor that no one has mentioned so far is the grip factor. If you can get you finger to wrap the trigger deeper, than a heavier pull is workable. So this depends on the grip frame, the grips and the shooters length of pull or trigger distance.

Wishoot · September 18, 2018, 04:41 PM

Out of the box, I would opt for an LCR.

Model12Win · September 18, 2018, 05:42 PM

Learn to stage the trigger and install the lightest spring poundage you can possibly muster.

pete2 · September 18, 2018, 06:56 PM

The.38 LCR has the lightest pull of any factory trigger I've tried. The SP101 has the hardest pull I've ever tried. I do have a 642 that is light enough to shoot but not as light as the LCR. I bought a 2nd 642 and it had a much heavier pull than the 1st one. I bought a Wolff spring for it(not the light spring) and it's about like #1. It's a carry gun and has to fire every time so no light springs for me. I too suffer from arthritis so the pull needs to be pretty good,, I can't do the hard triggers. I have K, L and 1 N frame with great triggers, range/game guns. Not suitable for carry tho. I haven't handled the Kimber or the new Colt, hopefully someone will comment on them.

Buckeye! · September 18, 2018, 09:12 PM

My LCR357 has a good trigger ... My Charter revolvers have good triggers ...better than a stock J frame ... But they are not as smooth..I like to leave my triggers stock .. None of my small frame revolvers are target guns .. They are SD revolvers.. BUGs

**4V50 Gary** · September 18, 2018, 09:51 PM

JimWatson - is the Ruger LCR lighter than the S&W M&P polymer frame revolver? I'm asking for a relative who can't pull a slide back and doesn't have much grip strength.

Jim Watson · September 18, 2018, 10:05 PM

You mean the Bodyguard? It has been a while since I handled one but I was not impressed.

WheelGunMan · September 18, 2018, 11:08 PM

Changing a hammer spring on an SP101 is very easy to do. They even have tutorials over at rugerforum.net on how to do it.Takes about 10 minutes if that.

TruthTellers · September 18, 2018, 11:59 PM

For all the people here who are commenting on the SP101 DA trigger being "bad" I tried a 5 shot LCRx next to a 6 shot .327 SP101 and the SP felt equal to or better than the LCRx. I also tried a different .327 SP101 next to a .357 SP101 and there was a noticeable difference in the two triggers again favoring the .327.

It leads me to believe the extra round in the cylinder means the cylinder doesn't have to rotate as much and that reduces the length of the pull.

I would buy a .327 SP101 over a .357 or 9mm SP101 any day for the better trigger.

Now, back to revolver with the lowest DA pull, I can't answer that, I suspect it will be the Ruger LCR because I've never seen anything negative about the trigger for the LCR outside of .22 rimfire.

OP, if you're having issues pulling a DA trigger now, your condition is only going to get worse over time. I would strongly consider switching to a DA/SA or SAO semi automatic. The concept of a revolver with a super light DA trigger is great in theory, but impossible in reality. As much as I would love a revolver to have a DA trigger that is 5 lbs, it's never going to happen and I've just accepted it. If I need a trigger that light, I buy a semi auto and call it a day.

Jim Watson · September 19, 2018, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Changing a hammer spring on an SP101 is very easy to do.

But it may not be a good idea. The factory spring is strong enough to fire the hardest primer in the roughest gun.
I would not reduce the mainspring in a carry gun without work done to reduce friction in proportion.

lee n. field · September 19, 2018, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronto

I presently carry a Ruger SP101 with a DA trigger pull of about 14 pounds. I have developed arthritis in my trigger finger and this is becoming a problem.
What revolver rated for 357 Magnum or 38+P has the lowest DA trigger pull in pounds?
Thank you for your replies.

I don't know if it's "lowest", but my old S&W Model 19-4 is very pleasant to shoot double action.

I thought for sure some prior owner had had some trigger work done on it, until I had a chance to shoot someone else's. Same trigger. That was just how they made them.

MarkCO · September 19, 2018, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoits

Trigger pull is changeable by any competent gunsmith. You should be able to get any poundage you desire

Yep. I have two S&Ws that are silky smooth with fairly low trigger pull weights and 100% reliable with CCI primers.

MrBorland · September 19, 2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkCO

Yep. I have two S&Ws that are silky smooth with fairly low trigger pull weights and 100% reliable with CCI primers.

Not doubting you (I can say the same about some of my worked-on revolvers), but we should point out that "fairly low" and "any poundage you desire" aren't necessarily the same thing. Plus, mechanical advantages are reduced in smaller revolvers, so that same "fairly low" may not be reliable in an SP101.

As pointed out, some good tuning can make a noticeable difference, but IMO, the OP shouldn't interpret anything on this thread to mean he can get any weight he wants without any compromise.

MarkCO · September 19, 2018, 11:20 AM

Yeah, you are right, the word "reasonable" needs to be interjected.

Drm50 · September 19, 2018, 12:16 PM

S&Ws can be lighted considerably just with aftermarket spring kits. You just have to be careful not to make it to light. You can get it down to the point you
will have ununiform ignition of primer or misfires. Do not use strain screw as a
means of adjusting trigger pull.

Dufus · September 19, 2018, 03:16 PM

Reducing friction essentially makes trigger pull less, but does not reduce the measured break.

I find that strategic polishing works wonders on most handguns, but I don't recommend just anyone to do it.

NAW · September 19, 2018, 06:49 PM

My vote is for the Ruger lcr in any of the centerfire ammo. My LCR357 mag is smooth at 7 lbs

WheelGunMan · September 20, 2018, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

But it may not be a good idea. The factory spring is strong enough to fire the hardest primer in the roughest gun.
I would not reduce the mainspring in a carry gun without work done to reduce friction in proportion.

I too have arthritic hands and because of a skin disorder semi-auto's are not viable option for me.

I'm also a firm believer that if you customize something to fit your physical requirements you will use it more often and more importantly you'll derive greater satisfaction from it. And by using it more often you become more proficient with it. What's the point of owning something you can't enjoy?

That being said I switched to a10# hammer spring and an 8# trigger spring on my SP101 DAO because the original spring was much to stiff for my liking. I even went the extra mile and installed hammer shims. The end result is the pull on it is now light, glass smooth, comfortable and consistent. I have since put over 1000 rounds down the pipe and have had "0" light strikes and FTF's.

I now have a firearm that is a joy to shoot.

September 18, 2018, 01:29 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Factory triggers don't count. They all need work. The manufacturers are all terrified of frivolous law suits. However, if you have arthritis in your hands it's not the trigger pull that'll hurt most. It's gripping securely enough and the recoil. Mines in my hips and feet of all places. Daft that it doesn't hurt to walk though. Worst thing was the bone spur(one of the joyous side effects of arthritis) that grew where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel. Isn't the weight of the pull either. It's how smooth it is. So pick a revolver that fits your hand and have a trigger job done. Tell the smithy about the arthritis. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

September 18, 2018, 01:32 PM	#5
jfruser Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 350	ronto: I am a S&W guy all the way, but the Ruger LCR has a relatively light DA trigger--though its trigger pull L-O-N-G relative to the S&W J-frames. Feels like they made that trade-off deliberately. The LCR is light and will have more recoil than the SP101. The SP101 has a gawdawful trigger pull and reset, IME. Smith & Wesson K-frame and L-frame DA trigger can be tuned to be very light. And used & inexpensive K-frame .38spl (+P if you want) M10 and M64 revolvers are just a smidge larger than your SP101. If you want .357mag, it will cost a few more $$$. If you are open to semi-autos, but still want a longer DA-ish trigger pull that happens to be light, the striker-fired pistols are an option. Glock, S&W M&P, etc. Used Glocks are cheap, though more in .40S&W than 9mm than in years past. Not to my taste, but hey are reliable options. __________________ Regards, jfruser "Books and bullets have their own destinies."----Bob Ross

September 18, 2018, 04:16 PM	#8
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	It's not just the actual weight of the trigger pull, but how smooth, whether it stacks or is smooth all the way through, how crips the break is, whether you can stage the trigger, etc. Another factor that no one has mentioned so far is the grip factor. If you can get you finger to wrap the trigger deeper, than a heavier pull is workable. So this depends on the grip frame, the grips and the shooters length of pull or trigger distance. __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

September 18, 2018, 09:51 PM	#13
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	JimWatson - is the Ruger LCR lighter than the S&W M&P polymer frame revolver? I'm asking for a relative who can't pull a slide back and doesn't have much grip strength. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

September 18, 2018, 11:59 PM	#16
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	For all the people here who are commenting on the SP101 DA trigger being "bad" I tried a 5 shot LCRx next to a 6 shot .327 SP101 and the SP felt equal to or better than the LCRx. I also tried a different .327 SP101 next to a .357 SP101 and there was a noticeable difference in the two triggers again favoring the .327. It leads me to believe the extra round in the cylinder means the cylinder doesn't have to rotate as much and that reduces the length of the pull. I would buy a .327 SP101 over a .357 or 9mm SP101 any day for the better trigger. Now, back to revolver with the lowest DA pull, I can't answer that, I suspect it will be the Ruger LCR because I've never seen anything negative about the trigger for the LCR outside of .22 rimfire. OP, if you're having issues pulling a DA trigger now, your condition is only going to get worse over time. I would strongly consider switching to a DA/SA or SAO semi automatic. The concept of a revolver with a super light DA trigger is great in theory, but impossible in reality. As much as I would love a revolver to have a DA trigger that is 5 lbs, it's never going to happen and I've just accepted it. If I need a trigger that light, I buy a semi auto and call it a day. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

September 18, 2018, 12:54 PM	#1
ronto Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2007 Location: Smack Dab in the Middle of Nowhere. Posts: 505	Revolver With Lowest DA Trigger Pull? I presently carry a Ruger SP101 with a DA trigger pull of about 14 pounds. I have developed arthritis in my trigger finger and this is becoming a problem. What revolver rated for 357 Magnum or 38+P has the lowest DA trigger pull in pounds? Thank you for your replies. __________________ "We will do this: we will hang together, we will keep our organization, our arms, our discipline, our hatred of oppression, until one universal shout goes up from an admiring age that this Missouri Cavalry Division preferred exile to submission, death to dishonor". General Joseph O. Shelby, CSA (1830-1897) The only Confederate General who refused to surrender himself or his 1,000+ "Iron Brigade".

September 18, 2018, 01:19 PM	#2
Scoits Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2017 Posts: 178	Trigger pull is changeable by any competent gunsmith. You should be able to get any poundage you desire

September 18, 2018, 01:25 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	The Ruger LCR has the lightest FACTORY double action pull I have seen in a small revolver. Gemini does deluxe SPs with DA in the 9, 10, 11 pound range but I don't know if they will do JUST that without their high, higher, or very high priced package redos.

September 18, 2018, 01:59 PM	#6
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	The Kimber K6s has a great factory trigger pull.

September 18, 2018, 03:17 PM	#7
AzShooter Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Location: Surprise, Az. Posts: 766	I use to use "The Gunsmith" in Phoenix, Az. to do all my revolver work. He would give me, and all competition shooters a 7 pound trigger pull. For a carry gun trigger pulls were set at 9 - 10 pounds for reliability with all ammo. I've since learned to do my own trigger work and get them down to 4 1/2 - 5 pounds for competition but would never suggest that in a carry gun. I smooth the out and keep everything stock in the gun. Again, they run between 9 and 10 pounds double action. Old Smith & Wesson's have great smooth triggers. Smooth is more important than the poundage.

September 18, 2018, 04:41 PM	#9
Wishoot Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,093	Out of the box, I would opt for an LCR.

September 18, 2018, 05:42 PM	#10
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Learn to stage the trigger and install the lightest spring poundage you can possibly muster.

September 18, 2018, 06:56 PM	#11
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	The.38 LCR has the lightest pull of any factory trigger I've tried. The SP101 has the hardest pull I've ever tried. I do have a 642 that is light enough to shoot but not as light as the LCR. I bought a 2nd 642 and it had a much heavier pull than the 1st one. I bought a Wolff spring for it(not the light spring) and it's about like #1. It's a carry gun and has to fire every time so no light springs for me. I too suffer from arthritis so the pull needs to be pretty good,, I can't do the hard triggers. I have K, L and 1 N frame with great triggers, range/game guns. Not suitable for carry tho. I haven't handled the Kimber or the new Colt, hopefully someone will comment on them.

September 18, 2018, 09:12 PM	#12
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	My LCR357 has a good trigger ... My Charter revolvers have good triggers ...better than a stock J frame ... But they are not as smooth..I like to leave my triggers stock .. None of my small frame revolvers are target guns .. They are SD revolvers.. BUGs

September 18, 2018, 10:05 PM	#14
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	You mean the Bodyguard? It has been a while since I handled one but I was not impressed.

September 18, 2018, 11:08 PM	#15
WheelGunMan Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2017 Posts: 112	Changing a hammer spring on an SP101 is very easy to do. They even have tutorials over at rugerforum.net on how to do it.Takes about 10 minutes if that.

September 19, 2018, 11:20 AM	#21
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,308	Yeah, you are right, the word "reasonable" needs to be interjected. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

September 19, 2018, 12:16 PM	#22
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,380	S&Ws can be lighted considerably just with aftermarket spring kits. You just have to be careful not to make it to light. You can get it down to the point you will have ununiform ignition of primer or misfires. Do not use strain screw as a means of adjusting trigger pull.

September 19, 2018, 03:16 PM	#23
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	Reducing friction essentially makes trigger pull less, but does not reduce the measured break. I find that strategic polishing works wonders on most handguns, but I don't recommend just anyone to do it.

September 19, 2018, 06:49 PM	#24
NAW Member Join Date: August 6, 2018 Location: Oregon Posts: 24	My vote is for the Ruger lcr in any of the centerfire ammo. My LCR357 mag is smooth at 7 lbs