The Elusive Trigger
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 4:13 pm
Hi Guys,
> Here's some food for thought!
> When it comes to tuning your favourite Air Rifle, we all have gone hammer & tongs to import Springs, Seals, Top Hats, Rear Guides, Rear sights, Front Sights and what have you.
> But the ONE ELUSIVE and most important fixture - "The Trigger" is not even considered - WHY? Well people may say it's the question of fitment - well I think its all about a bit of re-engineering - and no one including me has taken the trouble to solve this. But I've now started looking into the possibilities.
> I believe a few IFGians have attempted this - I would welcome them to share their experience.
> All said and done the Trigger contributes a lot to the smooth functioning of the gun and its accuracy - a smooth trigger is always an unsatiated dream of every shooter, atleast for owners of Indian made Air Rifles.
> I am pleased to share some 'Gyan' on Triggers - to those who are a bit unfamiliar with what a Good Trigger is all about , this should make good reading.
The dynamics of the trigger, known as its pull, are one of the most important aspects of usability, since any movement of the firearm caused by pulling the trigger can have an impact on the placement of the shot. Trigger pulls are relative, however. Compare a sport like action shooting, which emphasizes speed and uses relatively close targets with large scoring zones on the targets, to bulls-eye shooting, which uses distant targets with tiny scoring zones. While both types of trigger need a predictable pull, bulls-eye shooters demand a much higher degree of precision.
* Analysis of the trigger pull -
* The trigger pull consists of three stages:
1.Take-up or pre-travel, which is the movement of the trigger which happens before the sear moves.
2.Break - the movement during which the trigger moves the sear to the point of release.
3.Over-travel, which is the distance a trigger moves after the sear releases.
4.The take-up is the least critical stage of the trigger pull, and individual preferences vary widely.
Two stage triggers, for example, consist of a noticeable take-up, followed by a distinct increase in the force required to pull the trigger, followed by the break. A single stage trigger, on the other hand, has no discernible movement before the break. Fully adjustable triggers will provide a two stage pull, and the option of reducing the first stage travel to zero, essentially making the trigger a single stage trigger.
5.The break is a far more critical stage of the pull, as it happens just prior to the shot being fired. Here again, individual preferences vary; some shooters prefer a soft break, where there is a smooth but discernible amount of trigger travel during firing, while others prefer a crisp break, with a heavier weight and little or no discernible movement.
6.The over-travel can be the most critical factor in the trigger pull, as any movement caused at this point will happen as the shot is fired. This is especially important with firearms where there is a sudden release of resistance when the sear breaks, such as in double action triggers. An over-travel stop will arrest the motion of the trigger just after the break, and prevent movement.
Improving the trigger pull
An adjustable trigger may have ways to adjust all of these stages, plus trigger location. For example, a first stage or take-up adjustment might include weight and travel, a second stage or sear engagement adjustment might include weight and travel, and a trigger stop adjustment would limit the over-travel.
While adjustable triggers may provide the greatest level of control, much can be done with standard non-adjustable triggers. Careful hand fitting and polishing of parts, addition of high precision or adjustable aftermarket parts, or fabrication of new parts can greatly improve most triggers. Care should be taken, however, since trigger work requires a great deal of care and precision, and a bad trigger job can easily render a firearm highly unsafe or unusable.
Cheers
Briha
> Here's some food for thought!
> When it comes to tuning your favourite Air Rifle, we all have gone hammer & tongs to import Springs, Seals, Top Hats, Rear Guides, Rear sights, Front Sights and what have you.
> But the ONE ELUSIVE and most important fixture - "The Trigger" is not even considered - WHY? Well people may say it's the question of fitment - well I think its all about a bit of re-engineering - and no one including me has taken the trouble to solve this. But I've now started looking into the possibilities.
> I believe a few IFGians have attempted this - I would welcome them to share their experience.
> All said and done the Trigger contributes a lot to the smooth functioning of the gun and its accuracy - a smooth trigger is always an unsatiated dream of every shooter, atleast for owners of Indian made Air Rifles.
> I am pleased to share some 'Gyan' on Triggers - to those who are a bit unfamiliar with what a Good Trigger is all about , this should make good reading.
The dynamics of the trigger, known as its pull, are one of the most important aspects of usability, since any movement of the firearm caused by pulling the trigger can have an impact on the placement of the shot. Trigger pulls are relative, however. Compare a sport like action shooting, which emphasizes speed and uses relatively close targets with large scoring zones on the targets, to bulls-eye shooting, which uses distant targets with tiny scoring zones. While both types of trigger need a predictable pull, bulls-eye shooters demand a much higher degree of precision.
* Analysis of the trigger pull -
* The trigger pull consists of three stages:
1.Take-up or pre-travel, which is the movement of the trigger which happens before the sear moves.
2.Break - the movement during which the trigger moves the sear to the point of release.
3.Over-travel, which is the distance a trigger moves after the sear releases.
4.The take-up is the least critical stage of the trigger pull, and individual preferences vary widely.
Two stage triggers, for example, consist of a noticeable take-up, followed by a distinct increase in the force required to pull the trigger, followed by the break. A single stage trigger, on the other hand, has no discernible movement before the break. Fully adjustable triggers will provide a two stage pull, and the option of reducing the first stage travel to zero, essentially making the trigger a single stage trigger.
5.The break is a far more critical stage of the pull, as it happens just prior to the shot being fired. Here again, individual preferences vary; some shooters prefer a soft break, where there is a smooth but discernible amount of trigger travel during firing, while others prefer a crisp break, with a heavier weight and little or no discernible movement.
6.The over-travel can be the most critical factor in the trigger pull, as any movement caused at this point will happen as the shot is fired. This is especially important with firearms where there is a sudden release of resistance when the sear breaks, such as in double action triggers. An over-travel stop will arrest the motion of the trigger just after the break, and prevent movement.
Improving the trigger pull
An adjustable trigger may have ways to adjust all of these stages, plus trigger location. For example, a first stage or take-up adjustment might include weight and travel, a second stage or sear engagement adjustment might include weight and travel, and a trigger stop adjustment would limit the over-travel.
While adjustable triggers may provide the greatest level of control, much can be done with standard non-adjustable triggers. Careful hand fitting and polishing of parts, addition of high precision or adjustable aftermarket parts, or fabrication of new parts can greatly improve most triggers. Care should be taken, however, since trigger work requires a great deal of care and precision, and a bad trigger job can easily render a firearm highly unsafe or unusable.
Cheers
Briha
