SET TRIGGER BASICS PART II

LIGHT GUNSMITHING

- Gil Sengel

In the last issue, I looked at the most common form of a set trigger, usually referred to as the double set because it has two triggers like a double-barrel shotgun. The rear “trigger” is the setting lever that cocks the mechanism; the front trigger fires the rifle. A more technically correct term is one-lever, our one-piece set trigger (the setting lever is never counted). More on this in a moment.

Once popular on pre-1930 single-shot target rifles, all European cartridge rifles, and most muzzleloaders, this trigger is rarely seen on new cartridge guns today. Why? Simply because today’s primers are more sensitive and uniform than ever. Extremely heavy mainsprings to guarantee ignition are no longer needed, so trigger pulls can be adjusted downward to the point where the added expense of a set trigger is no longer necessary.

Nevertheless, anyone who likes to shoot older guns, or their new reproductions, will eventually come across a rifle and pass it up because of fear of the set trigger. As noted in the previous column, there is nothing to go wrong except dirt or powder fouling buildup, which is easily remedied. If one is disassembled for entertainment, or someone starts filing on parts, then all bets are off!