set trigger won't set.

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gunman1876

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I picked up a Navy arms Hawkin's fornext to nothing because set trigger won't work. Firing trigger works fine. I can cock it and fire it ok,just can't get the set trigger to work. Any ideas or suggestions on how to fix it.
 
First thing I'd do is try backing the adjustment screw out and see if the triggers will set.

If that doesn't work, you're going to need to pull the triggers and check for breakage/blockage.

A more detailed description of the triggers and exact nature of the problem would be helpful.
 
In case you don't know where the adjusting screw is, it is the screw between the two triggers.

If it is screwed in too far, it will prevent the front trigger from latching the rear, spring loaded trigger and holding it cocked.

A lot of people don't know exactly what that screw does and they often screw it in to adjust the trigger pull, thinking that doing this will make shooting the gun without the triggers being set will be easier.

Rather than making the unset front trigger easier to pull, it just makes the rear trigger impossible to set. Then, they think the trigger is broken and sell the gun.
 
pretty much as you decribed it. original owner had the set screw screwed in all the way. Infact it would not stay cocked. Backed it out all the way so at least firing trigger now works and hammer half and full cocks with no problem.
 
Just remember, that little adjustment screw does not "lighten" the front trigger pull or make it "heavier".

It is only adjusting the amount of engagement between the front triggers catch and the rear "set" triggers latch.

Adjusted fully out, the front trigger will engage the rear trigger further making the shooter pull the front trigger further to get the gun to fire.

As you've found, adjusted fully in makes the distance the front trigger needs to move to fire the gun such a small amount, it doesn't work at all. :rotf:
 
In setting the trigger I think it slightly moves up just a little, usually no problem unless the entire set trigger was inlet to deeply into the wood; so, do all the other adjustments first but if you are still having trouble remove the set trigger from the stock and place some cardboard/heavy paper in the bottom of the mortise and then put the set trigger back in.
 
gunman76 said:
for 50.00 bucks figured I was ahead anyway I went with it.

*********************************

You've gotten good advice here. But where's you "mask and your gun"?!? You "stole" that gun and "good" ON ya's for doin' it!!! :applause:


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.
 
Fifty bucks and all you had to do was adjust the screw??? WOW! How lucky can you get? I can never find deals like that. :thumbsup:
 
Naw, guy that had it before me didn't know what he was doing and started twisting screws. when I have real time to take it apart and look and see what he did to the set trigger. I don't think it's any thing big. This Navy have coil spring instead of the leaf spring. As it stand I can shoot it just can't use the set trigger.
 
It's easy to remove the lock. Go to your local auto parts store and buy a spray can of either brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner. Take your lock outside and spray all of the crud out with the spray cleaner. That stuff will get the lock as clean as new in only a minute or two. It is a fantastic cleaner for this job. Then use a good gun oil to lightly oil the working parts. Do not use too much oil or the excess oil will just attract and hold more dirt and fouling. While you have the lock out, check to be sure the fly is in the tumbler and moves freely.

Be sure to examine the lock mortise to see if any part of the lock is rubbing. When you replace the lock, do not over tighten the lock bolt. Over tightening can cause problems. All the lock bolt needs is to be snug. Don't crank down on it like tightening head bolts on an engine. Just snug and then stop.
 
Gunman: I am not sure exactly what you are doing but if the adjustment screw is turning okay and you backed it out as, as instructed, and now all is locking up okay with only the trigger not setting, before disassembling the set trigger (if that is what you are talking about) give my suggestion a try with the shims, it is a quick and easy check that could maybe save you a lot of work. I had a similar problem and put some thin shims between the wood and trigger housing (to move the housing out a little) and in my situation that solved the problem. Always try the quick and easy things first. If that isn't the trouble, you only spent about one or two minutes checking it out.
 
Yeap, just the set trigger. firing trigger is working fine after backing out the set screw..
 

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