1911 trigger adjustment

[cracked butt]

I have a dumb question: My springfield has a tiny allen screw in the trigger, what does it adjust?
I figured that I'd ask before messing with it.

 

[greygun]

Overtravel.

 

[kimbernut]

Trigger Allen Screw

Like greygun says overtravel. If you're going to mess with it at all be sure to check that it will drop the hammer before you put it away or need it in an emergency. If you adjust it too far inward your squeeze on the trigger will not give you enough trigger movement to trip the sear and drop the hammer. Some folks remove the allen screw so that there is no chance that over time the allen screw (through vibration or whatever)will tighten up and prevent trigger travel to the point that the pistol will not fire.

 

[MrFreeze]

I recently replaced the stock Springfield trigger with a Chip McCormick...the McCormick trigger says it's adjustable for overtravel and takeup.

Now I've got the overtravel part down, how do I adjust the takeup?

Travis

 

[JohnBT]

Take the trigger out...I know, you just put it in the gun...and look at the bow on each side of the trigger. There are two cut-out sections that look like little legs - one on each side. You reduce takeup by bending these forward toward the front of the gun. Bend, reinstall, try, repeat. Bend, reinstall, try, repeat. Actually, I predict you'll get it right the first time.

John

 

[MrFreeze]

Thanks for the tip John...I'm holding one of the triggers now...if I'm understanding correctly, the parts to bend are above the set-screw and under the main trigger bow, just behing the finger-rest of the trigger...bend those toward the muzzle until the takeup is naught.

BTW...using a Dremel on gun parts is fun. Can I call myself a gun-smith now, pretty please?

Thanks again!

Travis

 

[1911Tuner]

All for Naught

...bend those toward the muzzle until the takeup is naught.

Uh...Just a word to the wise. Bend them until the take-up is about .040 to .050 inch. If the gun is purely a target range toy, you can get away
with less...but you'll still have to be careful. With zero take-up, all it
will take to pre-stage the trigger is a little crud behind one of those tabs.
Even at .040 take-up...detail strip the gun and get it squeaky clean
every 1,000 rounds.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[MrFreeze]

With zero take-up, all it will take to pre-stage the trigger is a little crud behind one of those tabs. Even at .040 take-up

Understood. So it's a good idea to have at least a little take-up. Do most of you find take-up beneficial to the staging of a trigger? It's probably debatable as to whether or not I'm a good enough shooter to be able to stage at all!

Travis