shotgun trigger

[anweis]

Folks, i have a really bad itch to go and buy a single shot shotgun, Izh 18 max, the one with nickel receiver, lever behind the trigger guard, and rail on top of the barrel. I really liked the feeling, how it points, and feels. The price is good too, $80. This shotgun has internal hammer, cocking indicator, and safety button on the trigger guard.

I have one question: Can a qualified gunsmith do something about the trigger? It has some creep and it probably takes 7 pounds of pull to fire. I would like to get it down to less than that (while still safe, 3 - 4 pounds maybe). How much do you think would a gunsmith charge me for this?

Thanks

[dave375hh]

Anweis,
   The problem with reworking these and many other inexpensive single shots is the trigger and sears are usually only surface hardened. When they are stoned to improve the creep/pull the hardening is removed and the sear can rapidly wear away and create a dangerous situation where the sears can release on their own or simply refuse to cock at all. Re-heat treating is problematical because the alloy of the steel isn't often known in these guns and without knowing that you'll never be sure what you'll end up with after treatment. (hard, soft, brittle???)

[gunnut69]

One doesn't usually remove metal to lower trigger pulls.  Most often the spring tension is reduced to lower the pull weight and the sears lightly polished to smooth the pull.  Altering sear angles and removing a lot of metal is almost always a bad idea.  A good smith can lower the pull weights and smooth up the pulls some but I'd bet it'll cost more than the gun did..  and a not so good smith may charge a lot less but end up costing a bunch more..