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Author Topic: Handi Trigger  (Read 777 times)

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Offline jmayton

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Handi Trigger
« on: September 09, 2009, 04:44:24 AM »
A while back I did a little trigger work on my .223.  I disasembled, honed and smoothed per the instructions in the FAQ's, reassembled, checked it, and repeated until it "felt" right.  I didn't have a trigger pull gauge.  Anyway, a few weeks ago a friend had his gauge out while we were all shooting and it showed that my "lightened" trigger was between 4 and 6 pounds and it was certainly not consistent.  I couldn't really feel this, but that's what the gauge showed.  So I went back to work and thought I got it too light, but it seemed to work, so we checked it again.  This time it showed 30oz for the first pull, then 36oz on the second.  I think I'm done with this one, but one question:  Is it normal for a handi trigger to be that inconsistent or is that a result of my shoddy workmanship?
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Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2009, 04:54:53 AM »
I think it is normal for the trigger to be a little inconsistent. The Handi is a hunting rifle,  IMHO; so it will not be nor ever be a bench gun. As you know you really can't tell that much difference - feels pretty good doesn't it? Isn't that what matters? When you get into Jewel triggers that you pay North of $200 for then, you can expect much more consistency. I hope that Tim weighs in on this, he has much more experience with Handi triggers than I. Good Luck and Good Shooting
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Offline myarmor

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2009, 05:02:47 AM »
I agree, from the sound of it you did a good job. It will smooth out even more with a little use. I am no expert on it, but I have done about 6 of them so far, they always wear down pretty well and VERY useable.
You can also use the method in the FAQs using a little thumb force against a cocked hammer, then pull the trigger. Though I don't let the hammer contact the transfer bar with this method, a rag stuffed in between works well. Just don't do this too many times, you will be surpised how quickly it can lower the pull.



-Aaron
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Offline vabowhntr

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2009, 06:24:04 AM »
Yeah, I did the hammer trick about six times and my pull has been lightened to a level I feel good about (4-5lbs) for hunting after starting out about 10-12 lbs.  With time and more shots down the tube it should be perfect.
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2009, 07:13:45 AM »
It's a hunting rifle, and in the excitement of the hunt I do not notice any inconsistencies, I just squeeze it till it goes bang.
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Offline murphdog

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2009, 11:40:21 AM »
"Use the method in the FAQs using a little thumb force against a cocked hammer, then pull the trigger" ??? 

I looked in the FAQ's and couldn't find this method described.  (The FAQs are encyclopedic, and I may have just missed it).  Do you mean that you cock the gun, then press forward (toward the muzzle) on the hammer, and pull the trigger while still pressing on the hammer?  Sounds pretty simple.  I'm guessing the increased pressure on the hammer-sear connecion at the time of release is what makes it wear faster/smoother.  Am I understanding this procedure correctly?  Is is possible to cause too much wear?  I'd like to try this to reduce my trigger from 5 lb to about 3-4 lb. 

Duane
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2009, 03:02:49 PM »
I don't think it's in the FAQs as a link, I think it's in one of the threads related to trigger jobs, that method can result in breaking the sear notch off the hammer, so be warned, more than one person has had it happen. It was originally in McPherson's book, but he was doing it on original H&Rs, I discussed it with him in emails, it was decided that modern hammers may be harder and more prone to breaking.  :-\

Tim
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Offline bigvarmnt

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2009, 03:16:37 PM »
THANKS Tim, I'm glad I just looked at this as I was gonna try it in a minute. Don't need that problem! You are a Handi Guy.
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Offline myarmor

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2009, 01:40:30 PM »
I still believe his advice works well. The key is not to put too much pressure on the hammer.
I did screw up one of my triggers this way, yet it didn't break, but just worked so good it lowered it too much to were the transfer bar didn't contact :o ;D
I have also used this method on my father in laws Marlin 30-30...being VERY easy, with in 3-5 times it lowerd it a LOT!
Just go easy.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2009, 03:21:20 PM »
His advice is about 20lbs pressure.

Tim
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Offline murphdog

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #10 on: September 12, 2009, 11:47:05 PM »
Thanks a lot Quick.  You are a deep well of information.  I'm amazed at your depth of knowledge on an obscure item like this.  My 5 lb trigger is working fine (it matches the trigger on my rimfire), so I'll probably just leave it like it is instead of risking damage to the sear. 

Duane
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Handi Trigger
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2009, 05:05:25 AM »
Thanks, another method that some have used is powdered graphite, a dose in the trigger group and cycle the hammer and trigger, kinda messy, but those that have tried it were happy. The only issue I see with it is if you get some on the latch which would need to be cleaned off real good, but if you used it sparingly, it shouldn't hurt.

Tim
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