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| Article Contributed by: Mark Trope | |||||||||
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Recently, the question came up about measuring trigger
pull weight in Mil-Surp rifles. . Lyman, www.lymanproducts.com now has a digital gauge that I’m told is quite accurate and easy to use. It’s advertised as capable of readings up to 12 lbs. That should work for most, but not all Mil-Surp rifles. From most web-based companies the Lyman gauge will run you in the neighborhood of $55 to $60 delivered. I have an older, RCBS www.rcbs.com spring type gauge. I acquired it many years ago to measure trigger pull weight in commercial handguns. It works well for that purpose. Unfortunately, most commercial gauges don’t have enough range to measure the trigger pull weight in Mil-Surp rifles. The pull weight of Mil-Surp rifles far exceeds the ranges found in commercial handguns and rifles. The trigger in the military rifle is specialized. The amount of sear engagement is proportional to the purpose of the arm. A match rifle, which won’t be taken a field, or receive rough handling, has the least amount of engagement. Match triggers have separate adjustments for sear engagement and weight-of-pull. They may have other adjustments as well. Commercial sporters will have a lot more engagement and weight-of-pull. Some sporters may have an engagement adjustment, but if they do it is usually quite limited these days. Sporters also may have a limited pull weight adjustment. Military rifles have no adjustment screws. Designers of military triggers have always built in plenty of sear engagement and weight-of-pull. The large amount of sear engagement and heavy pull weight are safety factors in military arms. If sear wear is present, then the additional metal in a military fire control group will provide a safety factor against accidental discharge. Heavy weight-of-pull and two stage triggers are also safety factors. A soldier running and jumping into a foxhole with rifle in hand can’t afford to have it go off. Additionally, men can get jittery in combat. Long hours on the line with a gloved hand on the trigger can be dangerous. A two-stage trigger with a heavy pull weight insures the rifle won’t go off accidentally. Ok, so much for background, how does a cheap, do-it-yourselfer, (like me) measure the weight-of-pull in the Mil-Surp rifle? Here’s what we need:
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Components of the Trigger Gauge |
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| Build the gauge as pictured. Set 8 or 9 pounds of lead in the bottom of the can. Insure the rifles chamber is empty! Cock the rifle. Secure the rifle in an upright position and attach the gage to the trigger. Slowly pour sand into the can until the trigger releases. If the trigger doesn’t release with the can full, then remove lead and sand and start again with more lead. | |||||||||
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Lead Ingots in the Can and Pouring Sand Until… |
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The Trigger Releases! |
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Once the trigger releases by adding sand, then simply weigh the can with sand & lead on a scale! If you don’t have accurate digital scale at home, then transport the can with sand & lead to your post office. They have scales available for your use free of charge. |
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Wow! 10 lb, 8.5 oz trigger pull! |
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If you have a desire to know the weight-of-pull of your Mil-Surp rifle, this method will give you the answer virtually free of cost. |
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| Article Contributed by: Mark Trope |
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