CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Have a nice case hardnened grooved trigger (NOT a wide target trigger) that I found but before I list it, I need to know the answer to the thread title. If they are different size, then I have no idea what frame this one fits.
Are the K frame, L frame and N frame triggers interchangeable?
- Thread starter CAJUNLAWYER
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
K & L are but not N
The hammers in the L frame and N frame are taller, so the hammers don't interchange among these models. The triggers are internally dimentionally the same in the models you mentioned.
- Joined
- May 20, 2025
- Messages
- 78
- Reaction score
- 115
Yes, the same trigger will fit K, L, N, and X frames. Hammers won't interchange between those, but triggers will.
... With the exception of at least the Model 69 (and possibly others) that has a larger diameter trigger stud, which I recently discovered to my chagrin!
... With the exception of at least the Model 69 (and possibly others) that has a larger diameter trigger stud, which I recently discovered to my chagrin!
Yes, I noticed that when trying to install a 620 trigger in a 66-8. I wonder when (or why) they made that change...
THE PILGRIM
Member
A family gathering.
What’s the deal with that little runt trigger on the Right?
He’ll grow up to be what?
What’s the deal with that little runt trigger on the Right?
He’ll grow up to be what?
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2023
- Messages
- 240
- Reaction score
- 433
A pre-MIM J frame.
- Joined
- May 20, 2025
- Messages
- 78
- Reaction score
- 115
It's a great mystery to me too, as the standard 0.100" diameter trigger stud has never been a problem on any gun over the entire history of S&W to my knowledge. What they thought they were gaining by doing this, on only a select few guns no less, is beyond me. It's my understanding after talking to an aftermarket S&W parts supplier that it has become the new "standard" on the so-called "Combat" series revolvers. That being the case, maybe it's also in my new M19-10 as well? I haven't checked because I had no need or desire to change the trigger. The old standard diameter has worked just fine on even the heavy kickers and has proven itself over untold millennia of combined service. Why they would incorporate a change like this that requires a different trigger for just a few models, introduces the possibility of production mistakes being made, and adds complexity to their manufacturing steps and part inventory is baffling. The trigger doesn't exert high stress onto its post, I wouldn't think.
I tried to fit a 1917 trigger to an 38 Outdoorsman and found that it would not go over the hammer stud. I used a chucking reamer on the hole. I had the original hammer which had a broken spur and used a pin gauge to check if for proper size.
So there were some variations along the way.
So there were some variations along the way.
- Joined
- May 20, 2025
- Messages
- 78
- Reaction score
- 115
It seems S&W is famous (or infamous) for puzzling variations throughout their history. Sort of like making distinctions between their M17 and M18, just when you think you know their standard design features for a given frame size and vintage and know what the major differences are between models, there always seems to be exceptions to every "rule."
Hickok45 on YT's old 8 3/8" Model 29 -2 broke it's trigger pin years ago and it had to be replaced.
Not saying it is a common occurence, but that's at least one documented case.
He mentions it at about 3:20 in this video : 44 Magnum Model 29 50th Anniversary
- Joined
- May 20, 2025
- Messages
- 78
- Reaction score
- 115
I think what happened is the trigger pin broke loose from the frame, not that the trigger pin itself broke in half. That's an issue unrelated to the pin diameter. Trigger and hammer studs have been known to break loose from frames once in a blue moon.
Even if the pin itself did break in half, that would be such an exceedingly rare occurrence as to not be statistically significant. At any rate, whether larger or smaller diameter, it seems it would be in the best interest of S&W to standardize the pin diameter across all 4 frame sizes that share the same trigger rather than having the majority of their K/L/N/X frame revolvers with a 0.102" pin and only a select few with a 0.123" pin.
Sure, his revolvers trigger pin seems like it probably broke off the frame and he's never said anything of how or where AFAIK, only he knows,. However, a larger diameter pin with a larger surface area/ shoulder may not have broke off. Who knows...
As you say, a broken trigger pin is a rare occurrence either way, and I agree that a standardized pin diameter would make the most sense across the 4 frames anyways.
As you say, a broken trigger pin is a rare occurrence either way, and I agree that a standardized pin diameter would make the most sense across the 4 frames anyways.
Similar threads
- Locked
