Trigger question

[Phil Yearout]

I've heard of lightening trigger pulls, but what about making them heavier? My SBT trigger is super light - so much so that I've fired it prematurely a couple of times. I'm getting used to it but it's kind of a weird feeling. I don't have a gauge so I don't know how light it actually is; what should it be?

[Bill Holcombe]

Not sure what the trigger pull should be on a parker. Most shotguns have trigger pulls ranging from 3-7lbs depending on the maker and when it was made. Some people finagle their trigger pulls down to 2lbs or less, more common in rifle and pistol shooting, have never understood the reason in a shotgun...to be honest, I have never understood the need for a 2lb trigger pull or less on any of my guns, anything below 3 just worries me.

[Sam Ogle]

King; the main answer, I believe, is flinching. Some shooters develop a flinch, and have found that a lighter trigger eliminates it. I am not recommending that, just reporting why I have seen shotgun triggers lightened.
Trap shooters who shoot thousands of rounds go that route, and often finally opt for a release trigger. I am not intelligent enough to tell you why that works........but can tell you from experience that it does. I would NEVER recommend a release trigger on a field gun however, and am not crazy about really light triggers on field guns, but I believe the reason is attempts to reverse a flinch.
Sincerely;
Sam Ogle, Lincoln, NE

[Bill Holcombe]

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic to someone who has developed a flinch, I just have always felt there were safer ways to account for a flinch then messing with trigger pull. I have a colt python that one of my pistol buddies keeps saying I need to get a smith to reduce the trigger pull down to 2lbs. No thank you, I have never had a problem making that gun shoot when I needed it to where I needed it to, and more importantly, I have never had it shoot when I didn't want it to. Same can't be said for his 1 1/2 lb New Service, and he doesn't get why I won't shoot next to him when he pulls it out...

All that said, I have known guns that needed their trigger pulls adjusted to a reasonable level. I don't automatically send every pistol or rifle I get to the smith for a trigger job like some, but I have had friends that have gotten pistols and occasionally shotguns with ridiculously heavy trigger pulls.

[Sam Ogle]

I am in agreement with you in that regard. If a trigger is really heavy; lighten it somewhat, but often, the answer on a target pistol is the crispness of where it breaks more than lightness in pounds. I have a brother in law who says "I like a trigger to break like it was a little icicle snapping off."

Sam Ogle

[Bill Holcombe]

Glass rod is the analogy I am familiar with, but basically the same thing.

[Bill Holcombe]

But Phil, to answer your question, if you aren't comfortable with the trigger pull, I would advise taking it to a good smith. Some people finagle with sears and everything else, but I have never been a fan of home gunsmithing a trigger unless you really know what you are doing. On a parker, I wouldn't even know where to start for adjusting the trigger pull.

[Phil Yearout]

Thanks King. No, I certainly wouldn't attack it myself; just wondered what is involved. I have no idea how trigger pull adjustments are made.

Later: actually, after a quick google search, I do now know HOW they're done. Still wouldn't try it myself of course.

[Bill Holcombe]

Brian could probably give us a clue. I am actually surprised he hasn't chimed in.

[John Campbell]

Thanks King. No, I certainly wouldn't attack it myself; just wondered what is involved. I have no idea how trigger pull adjustments are made.

Truth be known, about 75% of the "gunsmiths" in this country don't know how to create a reasonable and safe trigger pull on a double (or SBT) gun. I know this from a master smith I knew for years. He was literally tired of doing corrective work on good guns. In fact... trigger work is reserved for the most seasoned bloke in any English shop.

If you want that trigger a little heavier, send it to an acknowledged pro. Like Kirk Merrington or Brad Bachelder. Just pray some bodger hasn't destroyed the sear and notch already.

[Brian Dudley]

The way to adjust trigger pull is by reworking the sear tip so it disengages from the hammer with more or less force. This is not to be done by anyone as many guns have been screwed up by people filing on them. Make sure you have someone who truly knows what they are doing work on it.