Trigger problem on Lyman Great Plains .54 Cal.

[Forrest Smith]

I acquired an older Lyman "Great Plains" .54 Cal "Kit" rifle. The double set triggers only worked, when the "set trigger" is set/engaged and then the front trigger pulled. Using it as a single trigger only, the trigger will not release and thus not let the hammer fall. Has anyone else run into that problem? (When it arrived, it did not have a set screw for the double set trigger arrangement. I located a set screw and put it in.)

 

[Phil Coffins]

Did the former owner remove metal from the top of the forward trigger?

 

[Forrest Smith]

Did the former owner remove metal from the top of the forward trigger?

That I do not know, I will have to pull it out and check. But not having another one to compare to, I might not be able recognize if he had or not. I will take photos over the weekend and post it for everyone to look at it.

 

[Majorfs45]

 

[leadhoarder]

Sounds like a good excuse to go buy a deer slayer trigger.

 

[rustyh]

I second the Deer Slayer Trigger. I had issues on my GP 50cal, either the set trigger wouldn't hold or the front wouldn't release.

 

[longcruise]

the trigger will not release and thus not let the hammer fall.

This description is throwing me off.

What do you mean "the trigger will not release"?

Are you trying to fire the gun with the front trigger without setting it? When you pull that trigger does it come into contact with the sear arm?

This can be a matter of geometry. The trigger mechanism may be too far forward. The sear spring may be too stiff.

I've seen several GPRs that had extremely heavy front triggers. In the 20# plus range.

 

[Forrest Smith]

This description is throwing me off.

What do you mean "the trigger will not release"?

Are you trying to fire the gun with the front trigger without setting it? When you pull that trigger does it come into contact with the sear arm?

This can be a matter of geometry. The trigger mechanism may be too far forward. The sear spring may be too stiff.

I've seen several GPRs that had extremely heavy front triggers. In the 20# plus range.

Hi, Longcruise! I just simply mean, with the Hammer cocked, the front trigger by itself, will not release the hammer to fall. It will work with the set trigger engaged, but not alone by itself using single triggered. You have given me two things to check. Alignment and spring tension. Thanks!

 

[longcruise]

Alignment and spring tension. Thanks!

With the kit guns there was often inletting that was out of alignment. It's the natural thing to assemble the kit according to factory inletting.

I've seen so many investarms kits with poor inletting that it makes me think they deliberately put those stocks into the kits.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Hi, Longcruise! I just simply mean, with the Hammer cocked, the front trigger by itself, will not release the hammer to fall. It will work with the set trigger engaged, but not alone by itself using single triggered. You have given me two things to check. Alignment and spring tension. Thanks!

With the hammer down and trigger unset slowly pull the front trigger. It should contact the sear after only moving a small amount. Then full cock the hammer and pull the trigger till you feel it touch the sear. If it moves more then a 1/16” then the triggers aren’t inlet deeply enough. I won’t bother you about about springs as I don’t feel they have any bearing on the issue.
The triggers look normal that Majorfs45 posted.

 

[Forrest Smith]

With the hammer down and trigger unset slowly pull the front trigger. It should contact the sear after only moving a small amount. Then full cock the hammer and pull the trigger till you feel it touch the sear. If it moves more then a 1/16” then the triggers aren’t inlet deeply enough. I won’t bother you about about springs as I don’t feel they have any bearing on the issue.
The triggers look normal that Majorfs45 posted.

I think you steered me in the right direct on what to do. I took the trigger out and started to remove more wood to let the trigger go in further. Though I don't think I went far enough yet, I did get the hammer to fall with like two pulls on the trigger. I think I will remove a bit more and see if that will do it. Thanks, Phil!
JG