Anschutz 54 decocks on bolt closing

[NateHaler]

If it is not the position of the trigger unit, then is the rifle not resetting after pulling the trigger? Do you have to pull the trigger when the bolt is pulled back to get it to reset and then closing the bolt works?

I have not tried pulling the trigger when the bolt is pulled back to see if it will stay cocked. I will do so, but not sure what this means if it does stay cocked.

 

[Thauglor]

One of my rifles with the 5018 trigger, the sear will occasionally not reset when the bolt is closed. I have to open the bolt, pull and let go of the trigger to allow the sear to reset, then I can close the bolt with it staying cocked.

 

[55fairlane]

Press the easy button call Steve at anschutz north America 7o2 3o5 7527

 

[foxguy]

I have not tried pulling the trigger when the bolt is pulled back to see if it will stay cocked. I will do so, but not sure what this means if it does stay cocked.

If the trigger doesn't move back to the forward position when the bolt is open, either there isn't enough Trigger Pull weight Spring pressure ( There needs to be enough trigger spring Pressure to move the trigger forward when released from the rearward position).

Is this rifle set up for a Single Stage trigger Pull? If it is set up as a single stage trigger, Screw #4 may need to be Screwed out a Little.. It Can cause this type Of problem. - If I remember correctly from the Trigger Adjustment Manual.

I went to the Anschutz Site and Looked up Manuals for the Target Rifle Line. With in the Target Rifle Line, I located the 1913 Rifle and then Selected that Manual by checking the Box over on the right Hand side. After the box was check, I hit the download word to the right of the Box. Down loading the Manual- Pages 26-about 29 or 30 talks about adjusting the 5018 trigger. It talks about adjusting it as a Single Stage trigger and adjustments as a Double Stage Trigger and it addresses Possible problems and how to correct them.

Trigger screws can be adjusted in the wrong order, causing problems when trying to make other adjustments.
The 5018 is a complicated trigger. Adjustments should be made in an orderly fashion.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

View attachment 1225321

From this picture it looks like someone tried to make it into a single stage and did not adjust it correctly. try turning the screw out with the arrow pointing in this picture I have of a similar 5072 trigger. this screw ( 1st stage take up) if adjusted too far in without adjusting the sear engagement can cause the sear not to catch 100% of the time. here is your picture right-side up. notice the angle of where the trigger blade mounts, normal 2-stgae setup it would be more level and parallel to the bottom of the housing. try that and report back.

Lee

 

[Tim Slater]

Lee beat me to asking whether this was set as a single stage or two stage. The 5018 can be set as a single stage that works perfectly, but it c also be done the wrong way, by balancing all the weight onto one stage.

To the OP, are there any signs of wear? Try a Google image search to compare against others. The red epoxy on your cross pins suggests this trigger nearly 35yo at the newest.

 

[NateHaler]

No signs of wear anyplace on the rifle, except one of the extractors is lower than the other and isn't shaped exactly like the 'taller' one... so I've wondered about that.

I've gone through the Anschutz schematics/steps on setting the trigger, so don't rely on the pictures to indicate how the trigger was originally set. I have tried every combo: heaviest to lightest, maximum sear engagement, etc. and it still decocks on closing the bolt.

The rifle is a 54.18 MS, which were originally imported in 1983, so it's as old as you surmise. My rifle has a date code of 'IE', which means 1984.

I know some of you are also on Rimfire Central, but I'm going to post this issue over there too, with the hopes that somebody might just know the trick. As to calling Anschutz, I believe their Las Vegas facility is closing permanently, so I'll try their Alabama location and hope a tech might be able to walk me through the 'standard procedure' trigger setup. (A replacement trigger, i.e. from Champion's Choice, is $595. Ouch. There goes the 'stimulus' payment, ha ha.)

 

[mikws]

Something is stopping the Klinke from returning all the way to the rear. It’s normally screw 4. This becomes sear engagement if single stage.

 

[foxguy]

Something is stopping the Klinke from returning all the way to the rear. It’s normally screw 4. This becomes sear engagement if single stage.

Just a Heads Up on First Stage Adjustment.
Note.

The Manual warns that the Adjustment of the First Stage Should Not be completely removed.
Turning Screw #4 Counter clockwise will add some First Stage back into the trigger Pull.

It is my hope that with Adjustment you can correct the issue.

 

[243Lapua]

No signs of wear anyplace on the rifle, except one of the extractors is lower than the other and isn't shaped exactly like the 'taller' one... so I've wondered about that.

I've gone through the Anschutz schematics/steps on setting the trigger, so don't rely on the pictures to indicate how the trigger was originally set. I have tried every combo: heaviest to lightest, maximum sear engagement, etc. and it still decocks on closing the bolt.

The rifle is a 54.18 MS, which were originally imported in 1983, so it's as old as you surmise. My rifle has a date code of 'IE', which means 1984.

I know some of you are also on Rimfire Central, but I'm going to post this issue over there too, with the hopes that somebody might just know the trick. As to calling Anschutz, I believe their Las Vegas facility is closing permanently, so I'll try their Alabama location and hope a tech might be able to walk me through the 'standard procedure' trigger setup. (A replacement trigger, i.e. from Champion's Choice, is $595. Ouch. There goes the 'stimulus' payment, ha ha.)

No signs of wear anyplace on the rifle, except one of the extractors is lower than the other and isn't shaped exactly like the 'taller' one... so I've wondered about that.

Don't mess with those extractors. That's the way they should be.

 

[Flier]

I know this is an older thread, but for anyone else searching for an answer, I am having EXACTLY the same issue. Same rifle, MSR 54.18, same trigger, and it is definitely the safety interfering with the sear engagement. It has nothing to do with the amount of sear engagement adjustment. I am well versed with the Anschutz 5018 trigger.

Upon closing the bolt, the sear does not engage. Repeated attempts to open and close the bolt still do not engage the seer.

However, if you touch the trigger, you can hear a soft "ping" as the safety releases the sear (the sear seems to get caught on it) and now you can cock on closing.

I've just returned from a shoot where this happened and it's too late to pull the rifle apart to look at it closely, but at the range I pulled the action out of the stock and had a look at what was going on and narrowed it down to the safety interfering.

I will report back once I've solved the mystery of exactly what is going on . . . But I also recently cleaned the trigger with lighter fluid, so I am wondering if it needs some lube, as it's quite an old model and has never had the trigger re-lubed.

 

[Tim Slater]

Could the stock inlet be catching on the safety? I had a 5018 not cock when the stock fouled on a crosspin.

A 5018 will function without the safety, so you could remove this to see whether there's any effect.

 

[hogpatrol]

Had the same issue with a 17HMR. It was a dirty trigger. Cleaned and solved.

 

[243Lapua]

I know this is an older thread, but for anyone else searching for an answer, I am having EXACTLY the same issue. Same rifle, MSR 54.18, same trigger, and it is definitely the safety interfering with the sear engagement. It has nothing to do with the amount of sear engagement adjustment. I am well versed with the Anschutz 5018 trigger.

Upon closing the bolt, the sear does not engage. Repeated attempts to open and close the bolt still do not engage the seer.

However, if you touch the trigger, you can hear a soft "ping" as the safety releases the sear (the sear seems to get caught on it) and now you can cock on closing.

I've just returned from a shoot where this happened and it's too late to pull the rifle apart to look at it closely, but at the range I pulled the action out of the stock and had a look at what was going on and narrowed it down to the safety interfering.

I will report back once I've solved the mystery of exactly what is going on . . . But I also recently cleaned the trigger with lighter fluid, so I am wondering if it needs some lube, as it's quite an old model and has never had the trigger re-lubed.

Give it a good cleaning. To start off.

I know this is an older thread, but for anyone else searching for an answer, I am having EXACTLY the same issue. Same rifle, MSR 54.18, same trigger, and it is definitely the safety interfering with the sear engagement. It has nothing to do with the amount of sear engagement adjustment. I am well versed with the Anschutz 5018 trigger.

Upon closing the bolt, the sear does not engage. Repeated attempts to open and close the bolt still do not engage the seer.

However, if you touch the trigger, you can hear a soft "ping" as the safety releases the sear (the sear seems to get caught on it) and now you can cock on closing.

I've just returned from a shoot where this happened and it's too late to pull the rifle apart to look at it closely, but at the range I pulled the action out of the stock and had a look at what was going on and narrowed it down to the safety interfering.

I will report back once I've solved the mystery of exactly what is going on . . . But I also recently cleaned the trigger with lighter fluid, so I am wondering if it needs some lube, as it's quite an old model and has never had the trigger re-lubed.

I've it a good cleaning. I use white gas. Remove trigger. Let it soak a couple of hours. Some compressed air to dry, reinstall and give it a try.

 

[Flier]

I know everyone here is trying to help, but to those suggesting I clean my trigger, perhaps re-read what I wrote:

I will report back once I've solved the mystery of exactly what is going on . . . But I also recently cleaned the trigger with lighter fluid, so I am wondering if it needs some lube, as it's quite an old model and has never had the trigger re-lubed.

And this is all the gunk that came out of it at the time:


But on with the diagnosis . . .

 

[Flier]

So the safety works by lifting the sear away from the trigger engagement.

First picture is safety off with the sear engaged:


Here is a view from the other side. View the sear through the little round window in the trigger housing.;


And here is with the safety on and the sear held up by the safety bar inside the trigger housing:


Other side:

Could the stock inlet be catching on the safety? I had a 5018 not cock when the stock fouled on a crosspin.

A 5018 will function without the safety, so you could remove this to see whether there's any effect.

You could be on to something, as IU found a small rub mark next to the safety engagement lever on the stock:



So I have removed the wood in that area. I have also use lithium grease on the safety ballbearing and slider. Everything appears to be operating normally now, but I will continue to investigate, as I haven't located the source of the "pinging" sound when the sear hangs up and I pull the trigger. I suspect the sear is being held up somehow and the act of pulling the trigger rubs (slides) against the sear and dislodges it from where it is hanging.

It's a bit of a head-scratcher, as I don't want to start pulling the trigger apart, but it's hard to see what else might be rubbing. It may just be a matter of lubing the right place, but I have heard some bad stories about people using oil/WD40 etc on Anschutz 5018 triggers that attract dust and dirt and actually end up worse.

 

[Thauglor]

Pull the trigger unit off the rifle. Push down on the part name catch, does it stop on the link/sear?

If it doesnt work off the rifle then at least you can rule out bolt/firing pin issue.



If its not a cleaning issue (I would clean it a 2nd time if you never did) then it's a mechanical issue and should be easily identified by looking at the parts and finding where the failure is. Is the catch part as sharp as it is supposed to look like in the inset pictures?

 

[foxguy]

1

5018 Trigger adjustment and possible issues. Click on the number "1" above for information on the Anschutz trigger 5018.

How is your trigger adjusted - Single Stage or 2-stage?
What is the trigger pull weight set at ?
How much sear engagement do you have, Is it set to what Anschutz recommends?

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

So the safety works by lifting the sear away from the trigger engagement.

First picture is safety off with the sear engaged:
View attachment 1675331

Here is a view from the other side. View the sear through the little round window in the trigger housing.;
View attachment 1675334

And here is with the safety on and the sear held up by the safety bar inside the trigger housing:
View attachment 1675332

Other side:
View attachment 1675333



You could be on to something, as IU found a small rub mark next to the safety engagement lever on the stock:
View attachment 1675336


So I have removed the wood in that area. I have also use lithium grease on the safety ballbearing and slider. Everything appears to be operating normally now, but I will continue to investigate, as I haven't located the source of the "pinging" sound when the sear hangs up and I pull the trigger. I suspect the sear is being held up somehow and the act of pulling the trigger rubs (slides) against the sear and dislodges it from where it is hanging.

It's a bit of a head-scratcher, as I don't want to start pulling the trigger apart, but it's hard to see what else might be rubbing. It may just be a matter of lubing the right place, but I have heard some bad stories about people using oil/WD40 etc on Anschutz 5018 triggers that attract dust and dirt and actually end up worse.

So, it is working correctly now? from what you described it almost sounds like the trigger/bolt timing was off. when the trigger group is set too far back you get inconsistent sear engagement because the sear catch is just far enough back where it is pushing up on the firing pin engagement surface when you pull the trigger the sear can drop down, and the firing pin catch can clear and engage the sear catch. the ping sound could very well be the catch popping back up and striking the firing pin.
timing should be where catching surface will engage if you lift up on the bolt handle and close it without it moving back it and it should stay cocked. if you see the bolt jump forward before engaging the trigger group is too far forward.

Lee

 

[Flier]

Pull the trigger unit off the rifle. Push down on the part name catch, does it stop on the link/sear?

If it doesnt work off the rifle then at least you can rule out bolt/firing pin issue.

View attachment 1675344

If its not a cleaning issue (I would clean it a 2nd time if you never did) then it's a mechanical issue and should be easily identified by looking at the parts and finding where the failure is. Is the catch part as sharp as it is supposed to look like in the inset pictures?

I have not been able to replicate the issue since taking the barrelled action out of the stock after I got home from the range, but I did download the schematic for the trigger last night and went through it to try to picture what was happening.

One theory is the "catch" is somehow getting stuck in the downward position after firing, and so the sear does not engage with the firing pin as the bolt is closed. This could be due to a weak return spring, or something interfering with the catch at the bottom of its movement (after the firing pin releases and rapidly pushes the sear/catch down).

This makes somewhat sense to me, because the safety is an L-shaped bar that pushes the catch up and off the trigger trigger sear, and holds it there (effectively holding the sear against the firing pin which prevents the catch/sear dropping).

So cycling the safety would release the catch/sear if it was stuck in the downward position by pushing it back up.

The theory is that the catch/sear is fouling against the link (trigger sear) in the downward position, because pulling the trigger pushes the link forward, which would also release the catch/sear if it was fouling.

So the action of engaging the safety or pulling the trigger would both release the catch if it were stuck at the bottom of the housing.

The "ping" is the sound of the catch springing back up into place after the trigger is pulled.

The other reason I think this may be plausible is because it is an older rifle, and so the catch return spring is probably weak. I recently replaced the firing pin springs with new items, and the old springs were very compressed (weak) from years and thousands of rounds.

Perhaps a new catch return spring needs to be ordered . . . but I will continue to investigate tonight when I get time to see if there is anything potentially fouling the catch at the bottom of its travel.

Thanks for all the tips so far.