Newbie question: Trigger supposed to be that loose?

matt48 · Sep 1, 2023

Sorry for the newbie question but I have simply no way to compare: on my new Pedersoli An XIII flintlock pistol the trigger is very loose. Meaning it just is flopping back an forth when the gun is not cocked. It releases just fine.
Is that the way it is supposed to be?

64Springer · Sep 1, 2023

Yup.

In my opinion, loose triggers are safety features.

So folks are roaming the woods and battlefields with pre-loaded triggers/sear bars.

Larry (Omaha) · Sep 1, 2023

matt48 said:
Sorry for the newbie question but I have simply no way to compare: on my new Pedersoli An XIII flintlock pistol the trigger is very loose. Meaning it just is flopping back an forth when the gun is not cocked. It releases just fine.
Is that the way it is supposed to be?

How is the slop when in full cock?
The geometry of the tumbler notches can sometimes not be in time with the arc. The main item to me is that when it is cocked that the sear toe is fully engaged in the full cock notch. The trigger might want to be a tad loose at full cock (forwards/backwards slop, not talking sideways slop) to make fully sure the sear bar does not get depressed, which can prevent full sear engagement in the full cock notch.
Sideways trigger play is another isssue. If there is excessive slop at full cock, you need to have an experieced gunsmith help you.
Larry

matt48 · Sep 1, 2023

Larry (Omaha) said:
How is the slop when in full cock?
The geometry of the tumbler notches can sometimes not be in time with the arc. The main item to me is that when it is cocked that the sear toe is fully engaged in the full cock notch. The trigger might want to be a tad loose at full cock (forwards/backwards slop, not talking sideways slop) to make fully sure the sear bar does not get depressed, which can prevent full sear engagement in the full cock notch.
Sideways trigger play is another isssue. If there is excessive slop at full cock, you need to have an experieced gunsmith help you.
Larry

Thank you for the answer. There is no or very little sideways play and when cocked very little play at all.

wiscoaster · Sep 4, 2023

matt48 said:
Sorry for the newbie question but I have simply no way to compare: on my new Pedersoli An XIII flintlock pistol the trigger is very loose. Meaning it just is flopping back an forth when the gun is not cocked. It releases just fine.
Is that the way it is supposed to be?

That sounds like a Traditions Kentucky as out of the box. The floppy trigger irritated me, so I made and installed a trigger spring. Others have done likewise. No need to put up with it just because some say it's "supposed to be that way." Change it to be the way you want it to be. Here's how I did it, but there are various methods, depending on the mechanism of your trigger and the space available in the cavity.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/traditions-kentucky-pistol-trigger-spring.164797/

The Crisco Kid · Sep 4, 2023

It amounts to a 2 stage trigger which is very easy to get used to. If it bothers you change it but if not just get used to it in a few moments. I agree the sideways is not good but that is not the issue with yours.

matt48 · Sep 5, 2023

Thank you all for the suggestions!

Unfortunatley my suspicion that it might be too loose appear to have been right: now it don't release anymore at all.

But as this is a new gun the dealer will take care of it and put it right.

MaxxProo · Aug 8, 2024

I had a similar experience with an old flintlock pistol I restored. The trigger was pretty loose and wobbly when it wasn’t cocked, but it worked fine when firing. I learned that this is pretty common with older designs or less refined mechanisms.

MaxxProo · Aug 14, 2024

MaxxProo said:
I had a similar experience with an old flintlock pistol I restored. The trigger was pretty loose and wobbly when it wasn’t cocked, but it worked fine when firing. I learned that this is pretty common with older designs or less refined mechanisms.

And just like how I upgraded to an frt 15 trigger on my AR for a smoother feel, you might consider having a gunsmith check your flintlock if the looseness is bothersome. They could adjust or fine-tune it to your liking. In my case, the gunsmith's tweaks made a noticeable difference, and the pistol felt much better.

matt48 · Aug 14, 2024

MaxxProo said:
you might consider having a gunsmith check your flintlock if the looseness is bothersome. They could adjust or fine-tune it to your liking. In my case, the gunsmith's tweaks made a noticeable difference, and the pistol felt much better.

Yes, that is what I did. Works and feels much better now. It's fun shooting a .69 pistol! As for hitting the target.....

Jappo · Aug 26, 2024

I've had a few CVAs and the like. They all have the trigger play. What I've done with the ones I used to carry at the ranch, I'd add a plate to them. File it down to where the trigger barely touches the sear nose . Works good for me. I first tried adding a spring but you still have the travel. But at least it doesn't rattle.

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