cost of an "action" job on a >...

About what would I expect to spend on a gunsmith reworking the trigger and hammer pull on a Remington 1858? I don't have a trigger pull gauge, but use a fish scale on trigger - 4.7 lbs.
Not sure what the hammer pull is but it is VERY stiff! Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

$100+,
Shop time for gunsmith service now-a-days begins @ 60-80 per hr.

VTI Parts offers a "Fix my gun" service for $175. http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=299&cat=Fix+My+Gun+Service

It would be a lot cheaper to simply buy a set of replacement springs. I traded for an 1858 Remington and the guy from whom I got it, had replaced the springs to make it have a smoother action. It is very sweet. I don't know exactly where he got the springs but I do know that replacement spring sets are available. Check places like Track of The Wolf, Dixie Gun Works, Brownell's, etc. They are out there, I just wish I could tell you exactly where to go. Perhaps one of the other posters will know where the spring sets are available. Also you might check some of the cowboy action sites.

Springs can help but the real problem is getting the geometry correct and properly stoned.
If the later is correct than full strength springs ,which is to be preferred, can be used and the trigger still reduced to 2 pounds or less.
This usually requires limiting the engagement on the hammer by installing a depth block of some sort.
It can be done with a spot of well, set screw or my personal favorite method of drilling a small hole and upsetting a short length of tool steel into it with loctite and dressing it down to the proper height.
This done after the trigger nose and hammer full cock notch is dressed and squared.
Further refinement can be made by dressing all sharp edges and honing the screw axial surfaces.
All this being done is necessary to get the most out of your guns potential to deliver.
Most reproduction guns can be made into fine target shooting arms when gone through and given the full treatment.
It takes time to do correctly and a hundred dollars is not a lot to pay for the full treatment. Mike D.

Try loosening the set screw on the inside of the grip frame a turn or two.
Makes a WORLD of difference.
If that isn't to your liking, PM me...