Increasing trigger pull

[ssgross]

So I've been playing with my competition builds I did over the winter - an a4 and an a2, Douglas heavy barrels and compass lake free float tubes. I had some older geiselle gen2 2-stage triggers in my parts bin. I really like them. Nice and crisp, smooth first stage - they feel very similar to a good trigger job on a garand. They are supposed to be 4.5 +- .25 lbs, according to the manufacturer. I never cared much - until I got invited to a match coming up and decided to check my triggers just to make sure. I don't get out often for a real match and it sure would be embarrassing if I did well and had to be disqualified. The a4 trigger was 3.5 and the a2 was averaging 3. This was unacceptable.

So, should I drop $385 plus overnight shipping on an adjustable match trigger? no thank you. Many here probably already know how to play with these, but I didn't find anyone writing about tricks to increase pull, other than ordering a bunch of different manufacturers spring kits and hope you get a combination that you want. Anyway, it's very simple in principle. You can play with the stiffness of the disconnector spring to safely get about +- a pound, depending on where you are starting from.

While I would not advise weakening the disconnector spring as this could be catastrophic (causing the hammer to mis it's reset lock under recoil), stiffening the spring adds some pressure on the sear, and a little weight to the trigger pull. After playing with a bunch of springs in my parts bin - which was not working as all of em were from military triggers and those disconnect springs are actually lighter than the geiselle ones - it dawned on me that all I needed was a shim under the spring to make it compress a tad more.

So I cut some pieces of 20 thou thick steel sheet, pounded flat and filed the edges until it just slid in the groove of the trigger under the disconnector spring. I started with x2 (.040 shim), which gave a 6 lb pull - 3 in the first stage, 3 in the second. .020 gave just under 5lb (2.5 . x 2.5 first and second stage). I rubbed my shim on a stone until it was roughly .015 and had just a tad over 4.5, with even first and second stages. Perfect. Repeat for the other rifle, which .020 gave the same pull, just safely enough over 4.5 to guarantee I will always pass. Lastly, I put a drop of super glue under the shim - easily removed and cleaned off with acetone if ever needed. At some point, I may drill and tap a set screw under the disconnector springs. I dunno why geiselle didn't do that in the first place - likely to get you to buy the more expensive ones.

[micmacman]

geissele triggers are component triggers , ie not drop in cartridge type , cant you just replace the springs with 4.5 pull springs?

[ssgross]

geissele triggers are component triggers , ie not drop in cartridge type , cant you just replace the springs with 4.5 pull springs?

I suppose so...if there was a source of springs with actual specs listed. Different springs in different component triggers produce different results. The permutations are endless. It normally would never matter - pick the trigger that you like and call it a day - close enough in the range of pull you are looking for is goodnuff. My point was this doesn't cut the mustard if it gets weighted at a match. I like a simple component trigger, and wanted to keep it without shelling out or buying multiple spring sets hoping for the best.

[Singer B]

Geissele also sells their ALG trigger which is a standard milspec trigger that they have smoothed out. It comes with a 6 pound and 4.5 pound set of springs. I use them in about 90% of my builds because they are noticeably lighter and smoother than the standard milspec trigger/spring set. The ALG runs about $70. Very dependable and works great for those who want a better trigger but don't need the precision of a $200-300 drop-in trigger kit. Hope that helps!

[micmacman]

sounds like the time frame has you at odds , left you un prepared

---------- Post added at 02:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:30 PM ----------

just for giggles , do you have any rifles with milspec triggers and a pull tester , geissele triggers are not all about springs they polish to reduce friction , a set of milspec springs with the polished componants may drop you right in where you need to be

[ssgross]

It comes with a 6 pound and 4.5 pound set of springs. I use them in about 90% of my builds because they are noticeably lighter and smoother than the standard milspec trigger/spring set. The ALG runs about $70.

Have to tested the actual installed weight of these? These geiselle gen2 2-stagers were supposed to be 4.5, but alas that was just the target spec. From what I've seen people writing, there is some variance in actual results.

sounds like the time frame has you at odds , left you un prepared

I doubt even with plenty of lead time I would go about buying a bunch more springs to do trial and error with. I did my due diligence with the half dozen or so spring sets I had lying around. The point of the exercise, and the OP, was an easy and safe method of turning a relatively cheap(er$$) trigger into perfection for what I wanted it for. I'm happy to report we did just that.

just for giggles , do you have any rifles with milspec triggers and a pull tester , geissele triggers are not all about springs they polish to reduce friction , a set of milspec springs with the polished components may drop you right in where you need to be

I do. I have my "as-issued" ar's with original triggers tuned to a clean 6-7 lbs and no creep. You are very correct that it's not hard to do this. I like the 2-stage triggers of all my old milsurps, and so I had enjoyed playing with these geiselle 2-stagers for target shooting for that very reason. Like I said, been using them as they were close enough and good enough out of the box for me not to care, but rules are rules, and I'm quite happy now with my results.

[micmacman]

spring kits are dirt cheap , 8 bucks , some rifles i put Geissele SSA-E triggers in , some i keep the mill spec , do a spring kit and dremel polish a few spots , you can start with a 8lb pull and get down to 5 -6 lb for 8 bucks tops 12 bucks , polishing the key points reduces friction and eliminates any gritty feel

there is also a screw that replaces your grip screw that has a set screw that will adjust to the trigger to tune the pre travel or creep , i found in allot of cases , a $250 trigger is not necessary , albeit in your application it probably is , im just rambling about triggers in general for some reason , lol

[micmacman]

i had a extra of the grip screw , snapped a pic

wont post

---------- Post added at 03:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 PM ----------



---------- Post added at 03:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:54 PM ----------

guess my picture privilege's are revoked

[ed skeels]

Rock River triggers are reasonable and perform quite well.
Ed

[Singer B]

Have to tested the actual installed weight of these? These geiselle gen2 2-stagers were supposed to be 4.5, but alas that was just the target spec. From what I've seen people writing, there is some variance in actual results.


I doubt even with plenty of lead time I would go about buying a bunch more springs to do trial and error with. I did my due diligence with the half dozen or so spring sets I had lying around. The point of the exercise, and the OP, was an easy and safe method of turning a relatively cheap(er$$) trigger into perfection for what I wanted it for. I'm happy to report we did just that.


I do. I have my "as-issued" ar's with original triggers tuned to a clean 6-7 lbs and no creep. You are very correct that it's not hard to do this. I like the 2-stage triggers of all my old milsurps, and so I had enjoyed playing with these geiselle 2-stagers for target shooting for that very reason. Like I said, been using them as they were close enough and good enough out of the box for me not to care, but rules are rules, and I'm quite happy now with my results.

Good question, but no, I haven't, I just go with what is on the packaging. They definitely feel lighter and smoother than milspec. At least you could use the specs on the packaging as proof of spring strength.