Did my first Handi trigger job

[Yak Angler]

As the name of the thread suggests, Just finished doing a trigger job on my .270 Handi. The factory trigger was horrible even after about 200+ rounds through the pipe. I had it out to the range on saturday and it was printing the typical 1.5" or so groups it normally does but I knew i had to do something about the trigger when prior to every shot i wasn't thinking about holding the cross hairs steady as much as i was thinking about how damn bad the trigger pull was,  as i was reefing  on it to get the gun to fire the cross hairs were moving 1-2 moa everytime. I don't have a pull gauge but it wouldn't have surprised me if it were atleast 8 pounds and that might even be giving it credit every other gun i own including two other handi's had a better trigger even my 870 shotgun was much better.

All i did was follow the procedure in the faq's but instead of stoneing the parts i used 300 and 600 grit paper to polish them up without removing much material. I figured start slow as i can always pull it back apart next week if i want to make it lighter by stoneing them. I can't beleive how simple the triggers are in these guns if i knew how easy it was when i bought it i would have done it right away. The hardest part for me was figuring out how to re-install the hammer spring as I just tapped out all three pins and of course didn't get to see how it came apart. But overall a very easy job and i would guess the pull weight around 4 pounds at the most right now.

If i get the rest of my reloading components this week in the mail i am hopeing for much better group sizes next time out, everything has been cheap factory super x's, etc so far.

I have some 110 v-max's and 130 Noslers silver tips on the way

Anybody have any experience/favorite loads with IMR4350 for these two bullets or advice on how to get this trigger down a couple more pounds safely?

Adam

[gcrank1]

On heavy triggers I smooth them up a tad, get the pieces clean and dry and coat with regular automotive anti-seize compound (copper or silver doesnt matter). You may be surprised how well it works.

[Yak Angler]

I might give anti-seize a try if im still not happy with it after the next trip out to the range. I have both kinds of anti-seize and a few other types of brake lube kicking around my garage, might work a little better then the light film of rem-oil i put on the parts, would definitely last longer then rem-oil

[Rayzor]

I just went threw this same trigger ordeal with my 270. I used stones on mine the first time and went to far. Bought a new one and just swipped it about five times with a coarse stone then a finer one and polished it all with 1200 grit. lightly oiled it and its perfect. At a guess its about 2 1/2 pound and smooth as glass. I went from about 1 1/2 group right down to the 3/4 size shooting out of the same box of Rem core loct 130 psp. since the job I have run another box of rounds threw it with similar results. I will mention I did get one FTF the other day. I let the hammer hit it again and it went bang. I think that was because of not following threw with the trigger pull. Something that might be easier to do with a real lite trigger pull.

[bikerbeans]

Hi Guys,

Question, after the trigger job do you thing the pull is too light for deer season?  I have one particular SB2 that sounds like the twin to Adam's 270, but this is going to be a deer rifle.  I am concerned that cold weather, gloves and my big hands and fingers would be a potential problem in a hunting situtation.  However, at the range with the current trigger pull I almost pass out holding my breath so long while waiting for the gun to fire.

thanks

BB

[Yak Angler]

Hi Bikerbeans,

If your trigger is as bad as mine was i would say you have alot of room for improvement and still be plenty safe for hunting use, all i use mine for besides practice at the range is hunting and I live in Canada where hunting with heavy insulated gloves is standard apparel. Most guys up here look for about a 3 pound pull on a hunting rifle for safety reasons while wearing gloves. Mine just from polishing is probably down to around 4 pounds now and i might take it down a bit farther with a stone if im not happy after the next range outing. It is atleast half the weight of the factory pull right now and very crisp so i might just leave it as is depending on group size.

Im still rolling around on the ground laughing about your comment passing out while holding your breath
Sounds like the same guy put your trigger togeather too.

I would recommend a similar polishing and as gcrank1 said maybe try anti-seize. i think im going to pull mine back apart tonight and try that

should hopefully be good to go after that.

[Yak Angler]

Trigger update ,

I lubed up the sear, hammer and trigger pin with silver anti-seize as soon as i got home from work, Holly crap best describes the results. Polishing and anti-seize are a great combination.
, thanks gcrank1 for the suggestion.

This handi is just as light as my savage accutrigger which is set at 1.5 pounds only the handi trigger is crisper.

Can't wait to hit the range this week as long as it isn't raining everyday which is what its supposed to do, Im hitting the loading bench tonight to make up a 20 v-max's hopefully group size will be less then MOA now. Figure i will run a medium load to start with for testing should push the v-max to 3200fps.

[Ten Ring]

Not so bad on a transfer bar system but grease of any kind can attract dust and grime and will effect sear engagement.
Jim

[Badnews Bob]

Hi Guys,

Question, after the trigger job do you thing the pull is too light for deer season?  I have one particular SB2 that sounds like the twin to Adam's 270, but this is going to be a deer rifle.  I am concerned that cold weather, gloves and my big hands and fingers would be a potential problem in a hunting situtation.  However, at the range with the current trigger pull I almost pass out holding my breath so long while waiting for the gun to fire.

thanks

BB

All of my handies have had trigger jobs done and they all pull at 3.5lbs or less most are less. All 15 of my handies are hunting rifles. Never been a problem for me.

[gcrank1]

TenRing, you are right. Dont use use it if you are going to run your weapon through foulness like that and not care for it like most of us do with our 'sporting' arms.
If there really were such a thing a reincarnation I wouldnt mind coming back as a rifle for most of our chaps.
Adam, you are welcome. Ive spent (misspent?) a lifetime learning a lot of things about a lot of things.
There is no value in me dying and forgetting it all without passing some of it on.

[Yak Angler]

I agree anti-seize is a dust collector, but that takes alot of time and now that i know how easy these triggers come apart i will probably give them strip down thorough cleanings on a 3 month basis

I just couldn't be happier with the trigger only problem i have now is with the once fired brass that i have kept from this gun to reload but i will be starting a new thread about that.