How "safe" should a trigger be?

[LVLAaron]

How safe should a trigger be from impact? I've got a trigger (two actually, in two different actions) - If I give the stock/action a whack with a little hammer, it'll drop the pin.

This is a particular model of a trigger... other models from the same maker don't have this problem.

 

[rwj]

I can’t define how impact resistant makes a “safe” trigger. But, I can say that a trigger that easily activated is too close to an accidental discharge for my use.

 

[Edd]

How safe should a trigger be from impact? I've got a trigger (two actually, in two different actions) - If I give the stock/action a whack with a little hammer, it'll drop the pin.

This is a particular model of a trigger... other models from the same maker don't have this problem.

I want mine to be safer than that.

 

[Straightshooter1]

How safe should a trigger be from impact? I've got a trigger (two actually, in two different actions) - If I give the stock/action a whack with a little hammer, it'll drop the pin.

This is a particular model of a trigger... other models from the same maker don't have this problem.

I'd think it depends on what the gun in being used for. . .???

Sure wouldn't want a hunting gun doing that!

If it's strictly a target gun shooting from a single stationary position, I wouldn't feel that'd be an issue for an experienced shooter.

If a target shooter is changing positions as they shoot, that would give me some concern.

When I got my first RPR and removed the trigger adjustment spring to get the lightest trigger pull, I tested whether or not the pin would drop when I slammed the butt on the ground. It didn't drop, so I felt I was good to go.

 

[LVLAaron]

I can bang the ass end of the gun on the ground pretty damn hard and it wont drop... but the sharp whack of the little mallet will do it.

 

[TylerFromMS]

I usually don't get after my rifles with a hammer after the trigger goes in the hanger.

 

[ELR LVR]

M

I can bang the ass end of the gun on the ground pretty damn hard and it wont drop... but the sharp whack of the little mallet will do it.

Might we ask
Is this a Bolt rifle or an AR type rifle?
Reason I ask is
For a bolt gun, I have never dropped one, fell with one etc, even in the field, hunting, varmint chasing etc
my main test for a bolt gun is to SLAM the bolt closed and /or drop the butt from waist height.
Since this is the most common thing we may encounter... we dont want the gun going off when closing the bolt on a live round
-------------------------------
With an AR though its a different story with a different intended type of use
I would lean more toward caution with an AR
-------------------------------
If it's a bolt gun, I would leave it up to the user to decide if he wants to lean more toward caution
if it were myself, as long as I could slam the bolt as hard as I want and not have it go off I'm satisfied.

 

[ORjeff]

What's the worse that could happen?

 

[LVLAaron]

M

Might we ask
Is this a Bolt rifle or an AR type rifle?
Reason I ask is
For a bolt gun, I have never dropped one, fell with one etc, even in the field, hunting, varmint chasing etc
my main test for a bolt gun is to SLAM the bolt closed and /or drop the butt from waist height.
Since this is the most common thing we may encounter... we dont want the gun going off when closing the bolt on a live round
-------------------------------
With an AR though its a different story with a different intended type of use
I would lean more toward caution with an AR
-------------------------------
If it's a bolt gun, I would leave it up to the user to decide if he wants to lean more toward caution
if it were myself, as long as I could slam the bolt as hard as I want and not have it go off I'm satisfied.

Bolty

 

[DShortt]

Hunting gun, I definitely want to know when the trigger squeeze begins.
Target gun? I don't ever chamber a round until the rifle is pointed down range and the range is clear.
Semi-auto? Definitely want to feel the trigger move before anything else happens.
Don't know how better to explain it than that.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I have tested this with a few trigger rifle combos, once you get under 16oz
striking the action with a mallet may allow the firing pin to drop, the lighter the
trigger the easier it will fall.

The vibration from the strike somehow shocks some component in the trigger causing the
sear to release. If you hold the trigger forward with your finger while you strike the action it will not release the sear.

 

[gunnermhr]

I can bang the ass end of the gun on the ground pretty damn hard and it wont drop... but the sharp whack of the little mallet will do it.

I always do the hammer test, if it goes off, tighten it up a bit. I've had Flavio triggers go as low as .6oz and pass the hammer test, B&A is somewhere 1.2oz if i remember correctly. Does it need to pass a hammer test, probably not, but it gives me peace of mind, and at .6oz, not sure i need it to be and lighter

 

[jelenko]

Personally, I'd want it to not fire if it were smacked with something.
Even for a rifle intended to shoot only off a bench. It's the unintended that worries me.

 

[Dan-Schenk]

I can bang the ass end of the gun on the ground pretty damn hard and it wont drop... but the sharp whack of the little mallet will do it.

I set mine so that a sharp whack with my initial hammer doesn’t set it off

 

[jpjulian]

How safe should a trigger be from impact? I've got a trigger (two actually, in two different actions) - If I give the stock/action a whack with a little hammer, it'll drop the pin.

This is a particular model of a trigger... other models from the same maker don't have this problem.

My personal opinion is that is not a safe trigger. I am also on record as not being a fan of very light trigger pull weights. I shot a friends new F-Class rifle last summer where I felt a stray breeze would set it off. I could not feel the trigger shoe before it released. Not a safe trigger to me.

 

[ELR LVR]

My personal opinion is that is not a safe trigger. I am also on record as not being a fan of very light trigger pull weights. I shot a friends new F-Class rifle last summer where I felt a stray breeze would set it off. I could not feel the trigger shoe before it released. Not a safe trigger to me.

Wow, I've not felt a trigger that I couldnt feel the shoe first before applying pressure
even 1.5 ounces has plenty of resistance for myself to know I am touching something before applying pressure to it.
the weight of 2 quarters is about a 1.5oz trigger and is easily felt in your hand or on your finger.

What weight trigger was that you couldnt feel it before it going off?
Sounds like the weight of a dime

(I've not felt a 0.6oz Flavio BTW, likely never will neither, they're cool and all, just not for me )

 

[DaveTooley]

BR rifle that wouldn't bother me. Anything else would. I tap on the bolt shroud, safety off, with a plastic hammer. It has to stay cocked.

 

[boltfluter]

I'm with Dave, if in doubt make it safer. Unfortunately, you cannot get a shot back and bad things have happened to good people. A few ounces is not worth what could end up being a lifelong tragedy.
Paul

 

[LVLAaron]

Doesn't seem like it's an issue of being set too light. I'll test it more after the day job gets out of my way and try to get a video

 

[whatsupdoc]

BR rifle that wouldn't bother me. Anything else would. I tap on the bolt shroud, safety off, with a plastic hammer. It has to stay cocked.

Tap? Like getting your wifes attention or fly swatter speed?