single trigger question

[chuck-ia]

I am putting together an american fowler with a single trigger, chambers lock. What should the distance be between the pivot point on the trigger and the sear be? I would like to have a crisp yet short trigger pull. thanks, flinch

 

[guncobbler]

You could make a jig to hold your lock plate and trigger in relationship with each other. Keep moving the trigger around until you get the kind of pull you like. Try to duplicate that on your stock. The closer you put the sear to the trigger pivot point the more leverage the trigger gets on it, the lighter your pull will be and the more critical your tolerances will get. GC

 

[mikelange]

Guncobbler's advice is right on. As for a good starting point, 1/2" to 5/8" is recommended by most how-to books. Works for me.

 

[ffffg]

chambers builds a very strong lock, it does depend on which lock yo have i guess. my round face and virginia lock both have about 9-10 pound pull to cock the hammer.. this gives big sparks with big flints.. if you want a light trigger pull jim recomends the pin be close to the lock lever.. assembly instructions for my mark silver/ virginia rifle with round faced lock.. 10. to achieve a light trigger pull, the trigger pin hole should be drilled as high on the trigger as possible, and the lock sear should engage the trigger close to the pin.. position trigger thru the trigger plate in stock, properly align for sear engagement and drill 1/16 hole comlpetely thru stock and trigger. cut away rear portion of trigger a little at a time until lock sear will fully engage at both half and full cock notches.. ..... this type of gun has a pin thru the stock for the trigger pivot, and it dead ends under lock and plate.. of course these instructions utilize jim chambers parts.. good luck dave..

 

[Herb]

That was a good answer. I have made four single triggers, three pinned in the wood as you describe. Pinned high and about 1/4" from the sear bar. One goes at seven ounces, this with no stoning or honing of the sear notches. Two more go at about two pounds, another at about one pound. I have to be careful not to get them too light. Maybe about 3/8" sear engagement from the trigger pin?

 

[guncobbler]

You could make a jig to hold your lock plate and trigger in relationship with each other. Keep moving the trigger around until you get the kind of pull you like. Try to duplicate that on your stock. The closer you put the sear to the trigger pivot point the more leverage the trigger gets on it, the lighter your pull will be and the more critical your tolerances will get. GC

 

[chuck-ia]

thanks for all the suggestions. this is a round face english lock, pretty much the same as the colonial virginia lock. the trigger is pinned to the plate on the trigger assembly. gonna have to ponder on this for a day or two. thanks again, flinch