Anschutz 54 decocks on bolt closing

[Flier]

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?

Two stage. But with a very short first stage. I have adjusted it to single stage at times and had no issues when it was set up like that. The issue started when the trigger was set to two-stage.

100 grams

Correct amount (I would assume). Anschutz says the trigger sear engagement on these triggers is 5/100 of a mm, but the sear engages reliably when cycling out of the stock. It is not slipping. When the trigger is working correctly, I can cycling it quite rapidly without the trigger sear slipping off the catch. It seems more to do with the catch not engaging because it is in the wrong position (stuck at the bottom of its travel).

 

[Flier]

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

I can't rule this out, but I have not removed the trigger from the action at all and I am not seeing the bolt jump forward. Cycling the bolt when the action is out of the stock shows the catch is engaging with the trigger sear correctly by simply lifting and closing the bolt without moving it back.

I have not investigated the catch/firing pin sear engagement, so I will do that tonight.

Is it possible that natural wear between the firing pin and catch sear would have the same effect as having the trigger group set too far forward? It would seem so.

I'm not sure what was happening at the range, but I had put close to 100 rounds down before the de-cocking issue started and it persisted until I removed the action from the stock and put it back in at the range a couple of times. Since returning home it has behaved itself. Except once, when I was cycling the bolt at home and it did the same thing. But it only happened for one cycle, compared to when I was at the range and it simply wouldn't work at all until I had removed the action from the stock.

Of course I googled the issue and found several other people with the same rifles and triggers had had the same problem, so it must be a known issue with some older 5018 triggers.

The age thing could at least point to a weak return spring, as all the above were older rifles from what I could tell.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Two stage. But with a very short first stage. I have adjusted it to single stage at times and had no issues when it was set up like that. The issue started when the trigger was set to two-stage.

100 grams

Correct amount (I would assume). Anschutz says the trigger sear engagement on these triggers is 5/100 of a mm, but the sear engages reliably when cycling out of the stock. It is not slipping. When the trigger is working correctly, I can cycling it quite rapidly without the trigger sear slipping off the catch. It seems more to do with the catch not engaging because it is in the wrong position (stuck at the bottom of its travel).

This tells me the trigger is not adjusted correctly and there lies the problem.

Lee

 

[Thauglor]

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).

If it is failing to reset after firing, you need a stronger return spring on the catch. This is a common issue when increasing the 1st and 2nd stage springs to get to a 2lb trigger, a stronger return spring fixes the issue. Neal at ISS usually has some

 

[Flier]

It's a shame I can't post video on here, as I filmed the trigger in action showing where I think it is catching.

When you back the first stage set screw out, it progressively increases the travel of the first stage but it also pushes the trigger link forward (that's how it increases the travel). If you back the screw out far enough, the link then starts to contact the catch sear.


In the above photo you can see where the catch is touching the link. Pushing the catch up and down with a screwdriver causes it to drag across the link with an audible scraping sound.

I tried to get it to stay in place, but the return spring was strong enough to overcome the friction.

However . . . if some debris were to fall between the catch and the link, it is quite possible it would prevent the catch from returning to its full upward position. A weak return spring would also prevent the catch from returning, but in my case the spring appears to have a decent amount of return pressure.

There are two things about this scenario that have me focussing on it:

1. If you pull the trigger, it releases the catch (which "pings" back into place).
2. If you engage the safety, it also pushes the catch up and releases it.

^ These are both symptoms that everyone who has reported this issue seem to have in common: pulling the trigger and engaging the safety both release the catch sear.

This also explains why the problem appears to happen when the trigger is set up as a two-stage trigger, and why it does not happen when it is set up as a single-stage trigger, as that increases the clearance between the link and catch sears. In my case, it happened when I increased the first stage travel.

I have looked everywhere at this trigger and at the firing pin and bolt with magnifying glasses and a torch and I can't for the life of me see (or feel) anywhere else that might be binding or slipping, so I am still not 100% sure of the cause.

I haven't been able to replicate the issue.

 

[Flier]

This tells me the trigger is not adjusted correctly and there lies the problem.

Lee

There is only one screw that turns the trigger from single to dual stage. Nothing else has been touched. What do you think the problem might be? In my post above, I have explained how setting the trigger up with too much first-stage travel allows the catch to interfere with the link, which is the possibility I am leaning towards.

Here is the manual I have for reference: https://cloud.anschuetz-sport.com/index.php/s/ECDXQwMZToWPfG8?dir=undefined&openfile=56129

 

[Flier]

If it is failing to reset after firing, you need a stronger return spring on the catch. This is a common issue when increasing the 1st and 2nd stage springs to get to a 2lb trigger, a stronger return spring fixes the issue. Neal at ISS usually has some

You mean the catch spring? I had thought of that. I have tested it and it is not excessively weak, but i don't have much to compare it to. Replacing the spring means removing and disassembling the trigger, which I'm hoping is a last resort . . .

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

There is only one screw that turns the trigger from single to dual stage. Nothing else has been touched. What do you think the problem might be? In my post above, I have explained how setting the trigger up with too much first-stage travel allows the catch to interfere with the link, which is the possibility I am leaning towards.

Here is the manual I have for reference: https://cloud.anschuetz-sport.com/index.php/s/ECDXQwMZToWPfG8?dir=undefined&openfile=56129

It takes more than adjusting one screw to make any 5018 from two stage to a single stage even Anschutz says this in their trigger adjustment instructions.
It says something along the lines of ( it is more than simply removing the second stage to make the trigger into a single stage. Proper sear and weight of pull needs to be adjusted as well) also the trigger cam needs to be adjusted too

Lee

 

[Thauglor]

You mean the catch spring? I had thought of that. I have tested it and it is not excessively weak, but i don't have much to compare it to. Replacing the spring means removing and disassembling the trigger, which I'm hoping is a last resort . . .

The catch spring is only 1 pin at the top of the trigger. It is the easiest spring to replace. My solution helps only if the trigger doesn't reset after firing but pulling bolt back and pulling trigger again makes it reset, still not sure that is your problem 100%

I would first go with what Lee suggested, the 5018 manual has step by step instructions on how to turn the trigger into a single stage.

 

[Flier]

Been away for a couple of days, but I found this whilst searching and it describes my issue exactly, down to pulling the trigger and hearing the "ping". Last post in the series. I have ordered a new catch sear return spring but will continue to investigate.

Problems with Anschutz 5018 trigger

I am having a problem with my trigger after you fire the gun it will not recock . The only way to make it work is to with the bolt open pull the trigger back again, you then here a click and it will reset. Does anyone know which of the screws need to be adjusted.

benchrest.com

What I have found by watching the trigger work, is when you open the bolt after firing the gun the catch link does not return all the way back to the cocking position.But when you pull back on the trigger the second time it moves back.