One of the great things about writing is the email I receive from readers.  Often readers share their own techniques on an aspect of firearms care, or their thoughts on reloading procedures.  Sometimes they share additional information about the history on a particular Mil-Surp arm, or ask a question.                                                                                                        

I recently received an email from a gentleman who read my article, A Weighty Subject: Checking The Trigger Pull Weight In a Mil-Surp Rifle.  He was requesting information on testing the trigger pull weight of a rimfire rifle.  He was concerned that dry-firing a rimfire is not good practice.   He is correct.  Many rimfire arms get dinged chambers from dry firing.                                                                                                                           

The best way to protect the chamber in a rimfire arm is to get “Snap Caps”.   Snap Caps are soft plastic inserts that will protect the chamber from the strike of a firing pin. They are available from Midway, www.midwayusa.com, under their “Tipton” brand, part # 213850, and are reusable.   Those that compete in various rimfire events may dry fire allot to maintain a steady let off.  For them, Snap Caps are the best bet. 

There is an alternate procedure if only one rifle is to be checked.  One can take a rimfire cartridge, remove the bullet and properly dispose of the powder charge.  The primed, empty case will be used to protect the chamber.  To remove the bullet, clamp the bullet in a vice and gently push the brass back and forth several times.  This will loosen the bullet and the brass case can be removed.  After properly disposing of the powder charge, the empty, primed brass case can be seated in the chamber.  One may ask: “Why not use a piece of brass already fired in that rifle, or a piece of unfired brass, where the priming compound has been soaked in oil, rendering it inert?”   The reason is many rimfires will get the brass stuck in the chamber after the striker dents the rim.   The firing of the primer compound in a case rim will push the brass back against the bolt face, thereby releasing it from the chamber. 

If you decide to use a primed case, point the muzzle in a safe direction and wrap a damp cloth or damp paper towel around the muzzle first.  In reality, there is little chance of an errant spark getting out of the barrel, but, play it safe.    

After protecting the chamber, the trigger pull can be checked without any chance of damage.                                                                                                                          

I now have a set of trigger pull gauges from Feather River Sports, www.featherriversports.com, 3321 Olive Highway Oroville, CA 95966,                    Phone: 1-530-533-3049, Fax: 1-530-533-3428.                                                                                     

Jamie reviewed the Feather River Sports 0-25 lb gauge in his article: Measuring The Max.  These are sweet gauges!  I really like the second slide that holds position after the trigger releases.  It stops at exactly the pull weight registered during trigger release.  No quick glances with this set up.  After the trigger releases, the second slide stays put until you move it back. 

The Feather River Sports gauges are premium, US made tools for anyone wanting to check trigger pull weight.  The 10 lb gauge will handle virtually any commercial arm and many Mil-Surp’s. It is especially good when an arm with an adjustable trigger needs to be worked on, or a replacement trigger is installed.  Most commercial sporters or makers of replacement adjustable triggers have a “safe minimum pull” specified by the factory.                                                                            

Many different shooting disciplines require minimum pull weights.  Officials will check the trigger pull before a match.   It pays to be ready before hand.  The Feather River Sports gauges definitely fill the bill for anyone wanting to know their trigger pull weight or for those needing to adjust an adjustable trigger.