How "safe" should a trigger be?

[DaveTooley]

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

Just a gentle tap, tap, tap.

 

[ShtrRdy]

does the firing pin drop if you run the bolt hard/fast?

 

[AlNyhus]

Another thing that enters into this is how loose the rear of the bolt is in the receiver.

The hammer taps are my final step in testing. If the pin stays back when the safety comes off after tapping, I'm confident.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I had a SAKO L579 that was like that, finally replaced with with a Timney to stop the problem.

 

[LVLAaron]

does the firing pin drop if you run the bolt hard/fast?

Nope.

 

[coldboreshot]

All my fclass rigs have Jewell triggers set just above activation upon closing bolt which equates on my gage to 1oz-1.2oz. As remarked by other contributors here, depends on firearm and its application. The only time an fclass rig this should apply is on a controlled firing line.

There might be a difference between blunt impact force and an acute striking force like a hammer. I did not accel in physics.
It just comes down to application.

 

[DaveTooley]

I want to rattle, multiple times, the internal trigger interface surfaces in the real world operating condition. Bolt closed, safety off. Tap tap tap Safety on, pull trigger, safety off, tap tap tap

 

[RPSGuns]

My 2 cents is, if you have to ask the question, you already know the answer.

 

[BoydAllen]

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.

IMO those triggers are not safe. Exactly how do you do the banging? Maybe I am overlooking something in my trigger safety testing. I require my triggers to not fire with butt thumping on a carped floor, slapping the comb hard with an open hand, with the rifle not on bags, and slamming the bolt as hard as I can without damaging anything, All of my benchrest triggers will pass these tests. From what I read, fellows may set their sear engagements too small in pursuit of lightness, and to deal with a little creep. For me a little smooth, predictable creep is not an issue. I would rather have that and reliability than be on the edge of an AD.

 

[jelenko]

I can't emphasize strongly enough about the comments on 'safe for the application'.

The problem is the potential results [death or injury] make even the slightest possible, controllable event unacceptable.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I wouldn't accept a trigger that goes off from anything other than a trigger pull.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I can't emphasize strongly enough about the comments on 'safe for the application'.

The problem is the potential results [death or injury] make even the slightest possible, controllable event unacceptable.

^^^^^^
This.
Short Range Benchrest Shooters use triggers that let off with as little as 3/4 ounce.
However, at Matches, you are not allowed to have a bolt or a live round in the rifle until the command of “insert bolts, commence fire” is given.
If a shooter has a problem with a trigger releasing before he is ready for it to, that is his problem.

A number of years ago, we had a discussion about the legality of a shooter using a rifle with out a trigger guard. The ruling was, the only unsafe thing about it was if he accidentally hit the trigger when the command was given, that was his problem.

 

[whatsupdoc]

IMO those triggers are not safe. Exactly how do you do the banging? Maybe I am overlooking something in my trigger safety testing. I require my triggers to not fire with butt thumping on a carped floor, slapping the comb hard with an open hand, with the rifle not on bags, and slamming the bolt as hard as I can without damaging anything, All of my benchrest triggers will pass these tests. From what I read, fellows may set their sear engagements too small in pursuit of lightness, and to deal with a little creep. For me a little smooth, predictable creep is not an issue. I would rather have that and reliability than be on the edge of an AD.

I have seen rifles that if you slam the butt stock onto to a carpeted floor they will not release the firing pin but a hard strike on the receiver with a wooden mallet will drop the firing pin.

 

[ELR LVR]

^^^^^^
This.
Short Range Benchrest Shooters use triggers that let off with as little as 3/4 ounce.
However, at Matches, you are not allowed to have a bolt or a live round in the rifle until the command of “insert bolts, commence fire” is given.
If a shooter has a problem with a trigger releasing before he is ready for it to, that is his problem.

A number of years ago, we had a discussion about the legality of a shooter using a rifle with out a trigger guard. The ruling was, the only unsafe thing about it was if he accidentally hit the trigger when the command was given, that was his problem.

This is one reason I dont even use or rely on a safety
First and foremost the trigger finger is your main safety
If I want SAFER MODE
I open the bolt, even halfway open is safe and will not allow the firing pin to strike a primer
It's foolproof
----------------------------
I do get some other guys mindsets though
However we should be reminded, for the more experienced
.... many triggers dont even come with a safety
My Sig XTEN Pistol, does not even come with any sort of safety from the factory
I like some Mfgr's understand that
----------------------------
But I'm curious here
is the triggers in question..............Not Adjustable ? Like a Timney Impact or something?

 

[LVLAaron]

Each tap is a little harder. I can smash the ass of the gun into the floor as hard as I want and it's not going anywhere. Only the sharp blow of the hammer will drop the pin.

 

[jpjulian]

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 )

I don't think the guy knows nor do I think that it could actually be accurately weighed. It had to be something less than an ounce. I could not perceive touching the trigger shoe before it released. Too light and not at all safe in my opinion.

 

[jpjulian]

Each tap is a little harder. I can smash the ass of the gun into the floor as hard as I want and it's not going anywhere. Only the sharp blow of the hammer will drop the pin.

I don't think your video shows a safe trigger. But that's me. You made it release without pulling the trigger. Not safe. Looks like a nice rifle though!

 

[Lucky Shooter]

I think all shooters are entitled to be and to feel safe while
shooting around others.

Its up to us as shooters to guarantee other shooters have this feeling---unconditionly.

A. Weldy

 

[AlNyhus]

Each tap is a little harder. I can smash the ass of the gun into the floor as hard as I want and it's not going anywhere. Only the sharp blow of the hammer will drop the pin.

Aaron, how much cock on close does it have?

 

[LVLAaron]

Aaron, how much cock on close does it have?

None that I can see. I have the same trigger in my Mausingfield. No/very little cock on close there either.

Bix Tac Sport Pro X in both actions.

No problem with the regular competition triggers or just the Tac Sport.

Seems like the sharp impact of the hammer is josling some bits inside the trigger.