Browning X-Bolt M-Carbo trigger spring review

I realize most X-Bolts are probably sold as hunting rifles where a 4lb or so trigger is desirable, mine however is sold as a target rifle in a McMillan A3-5 stock. I pretty much like everything about the rifle except for the trigger pull weight which when adjusted to it's lowest was 3 lbs 14 oz on average.

A friend sent me a link to M-Carbo, an outfit that sells an X-Bolt trigger spring "kit" for $12, I figured I'd give it a try since the alternative drop-in replacement, Jard, runs $250.

I received the spring yesterday and got it installed today. The hardest part is removing the OEM spring, I would love to know how they got that darn spring into the trigger pack. It helped a lot to remove the trigger pack by drifting out two pins, this way I could see what was hanging up the OEM spring. Once that was out it took a couple minutes to reinstall the pack and install the M-Carbo spring.

My Lyman gauge says the trigger pull is now a very consistent 1lb 14oz, a full 2lbs off the OEM spring. From what I can tell, even a hunting X-bolt rifle could potentially benefit from this spring since the adjustment per turn is more granular.

Highly recommended if you don't mind a challenge, and yes, the OEM spring will most likely be destroyed in order to remove it, Browning sells replacements if that's an issue.

Gtscotty, the directions from M-Carbo, in the form of a video, were pretty good. I actually merged directions from M-Carbo and Ernie the Gunsmith even though Ernie's directions for the X-Bolt don't apply as you said. The key is removing the factory spring. M-Carbo sent me in the direction of inserting a pick tool as far up (away from the sear seat) into the spring as possible, compressing it down, then fishing it out of the housing. After trying this approach to the point of frustration, I followed Ernie's approach which starts with removing the trigger pack. Once I could see the pack from all directions it became obvious I needed to LIFT the spring off the sear seat instead of compressing the spring into the sear seat. The sear spring seat has a nub which projects up into the center of the spring so the spring can't slide off the sear seat, it makes much more sense once you see it. Had I realized this to start with, the entire job would've taken 5 minutes or less.

I'll finish by saying I have not fired the weapon yet. It feels, measures and behaves normally on the workbench. I have no reason to believe it won't behave properly under fire, but, that's conjecture on my part, at the present time.

Update: I get to the range today and can confirm this trigger not only works, it really woke up this rifle. Without a doubt this has to be the best $12 I've spent on any gun accessory. I'm now excited to get to work hand loading for this rifle

lawboy said:

I have the MCarbo spring but have been too timid to install it after my first frustrating failed attempt. I will remove the trigger as you suggest and give it another go. Thank you.

Click to expand...

lawboy, you may not even have to remove the trigger pack. Just think up-and-over from the bottom instead of down-and-out from the top.

Oh yeah, wear glasses, I still haven't found the factory spring