Author Topic: Trigger work ?  (Read 396 times)

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Offline edgemark

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Trigger work ?
« on: May 16, 2007, 07:01:03 AM »
I have read the two articles in the FAQ section.
I accept all warnings :)

I hate a hard trigger, and normally hunt under 2 pounds.

2 questions.

1) I read that by shooting, the trigger will get somewhat better. I bought some snap caps for the 45-70. IMO, the trigger is unusable as is, with only 25 rounds through it. Will dry firing it on the snap caps make it noticeably better? If yes, what would a typical trigger broken in be in pounds ( approx)

2) How low can I safely go with a Handi trigger ?
( to clarify, Hunting and at the range the hammer will be back ONLY when I am ready to shoot, and never back on stand hunting)

edge. 

Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Trigger work ?
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2007, 11:57:37 AM »
1. All triggers get better with use. They naturally polish edges through use. Does it make a big difference? In my experiences no. To make a big difference, trigger work/rework or replacement needs to be done. In a Handy, replacement is not an option.

2. There is a built in safety, the transfer bar. Even if the hammer drops, with out having the trigger pulled back, the hammer will not strike the firing pin. Having said that, I stopped around the 2 - 2 1/2  pound range. I stopped there because it felt good to me and I did not want to over do it. Once you take too much off, you can not put it back on. Transfer bar or no, it would be unsettling for me to pull back the trigger and not have it set. It gave me a crisp pull and it does not feel heavy.

Take your time with it. Take a little off, reassemble, try it. Keep doing it just a little at a time. I did the drop test and the struck the side of the receiver with the heal of my palm hard; when I was getting close to make sure I did not go too far. BTW I do not know if I missed it in the instructions, but I had a devil of a time putting the trigger group back in the first time. I eventually found that I had to pull the trigger back as I inserted it into the receiver to get it all lined up right. After I figured that out it was easy. I used a piece of heavy solder cut to the correct length for a slave pin. It does not have to be stiff, because it only holds things in alignment until the real pin goes through. I also did not reinsert the pins all the way back in while working on the trigger. I only pushed them in enough to keep everything where it should be. I was afraid of rounding out the hole and not having the pins stay put later. It also made the disassemble and reassemble easier while doing the fitting. I only drove them home after I was satisfied with the results.
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Offline Rustyinfla

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Re: Trigger work ?
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2007, 12:01:31 PM »

 Edge,
    You can also "wear in" the trigger hammer relationship a little bit faster if you put your snap cap in place and cock you Handi. Then apply pressure to the back of the hammer while you pull the trigger and let the hammer fall.

   Happy Trails and God Bless,
        Rusty <><
If you're gonna be stupid ya gotta be tuff

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Trigger work ?
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2007, 02:50:08 PM »
Use caution on the trick Rusty mentioned, more than one person here has broke the sear notch off the hammer doing that. I have tried in on several rifles, but have never got any appreciable results doing it, no more than you would with normal use, maybe an ounce or two difference. I just do a real trigger job as defined by Perklo and Raynor in the FAQs, that will result in a very nice trigger of around 3lbs with very little work, sometimes it will even go lower with very little work, my 204 Ruger is at 2lbs 4oz with just light honing. :-\

Perklo warns of going too light, and I've had first hand experience with one the was just over 3lbs, with use it ended up at 21oz, so far it's holding there. If you get one too light, you'll need to replace the hammer and/or the trigger.

Tim
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Offline edgemark

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Re: Trigger work ?
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2007, 03:17:25 AM »
Thanks everyone  :)

One more question  ;D

Would I be wise to wear it in with a few hundred shots on the snap caps First?
Will that get the break-in done and then when I do the full trigger job it will hold, or should I just do the job and if it gets lighter then so be it?

IMO, since the hammer will never be back until I am ready to shoot, MY Only concern is that the sear does not hold at all! If it hold I will be happy, but obviously I don't want to use the Hammer as the Trigger  ;D ;D

edge.