How light should the trigger be on a "working" gun.

[mini14jac]

I would like my semi-auto home defense/ plinking/ woods/ tactical rifle to be as accurate as possible.

A lot of guys send their Mini 14s and 30s out for a 3-4lb trigger.
That seems a little light for a "working" gun for me.
I would think a trigger that light would be better suited to a bench rifle, or maybe a hunting gun.

I've never had a trigger job on a centerfire rifle, so I'm seeking opinions here.

On a rifle like I'm describing, whether it's a Ruger, or an AR, AK, M1, etc., how light should the trigger be?

 

[dakotasin]

3-4 lbs.

you measure bench gun triggers in ounces, not lbs.

 

[Swamprabbit]

For me, I don't want the triggers any less than about 4 lbs. I have seen people with varmit rifles with "hair" triggers have ADs so I just don't feel comfortable around them. I will hear all the "I'm safe" responses but in the real world, even "safe" people make mistakes.

 

[Mulliga]

Some benchrest guns have incredibly light triggers (I've heard of some that break at 11 ounces or less). To a point, I think, a light trigger does improve accuracy, but even the lightest trigger won't help you hold steadily.

What is more important is that the trigger action is smooth and free of grit, and that creep/overtravel are adjusted to be as minimal as possible. 3-4 pounds is fine for an all-around gun IMHO. Basically, if you're nervous the thing will go off "accidentally" (maybe after being bumped hard in a truck), your gun is unsafe any way. Simply clear it and put on the safety, or, better yet, keep it in Condition 3 with nothing in the pipe and a loaded mag.

 

[Soap]

I like 2.5-3 lbs for a manually operated arm. For autoshuckers I like 3.5-4 lbs. All should "break like a glass rod".

 

[Chip Dixon]

Trigger jobs on AKs and Rugers?
So, what do you get when you polish a turd?

(*ducking*)

 

[mini14jac]

Thanks for the replies.
-Except for Chip-

I may invest in a trigger job after all.

 

[Gewehr98]

Chip, you're not from Buffalo, are you?

So, what do you get when you polish a turd?

How about an AK with a smooth, clean-breaking 4 pound trigger that shoots into 2" at 100 yards?

 

[Chip Dixon]

does it still slap back?

 

[Feanaro]

I prefer 5-6 pounds myself, preferably a two-stage. Most people would probably like a lighter pull. I think a short, smooth trigger makes more difference than a light pull. Could just be me though.

 

[Gewehr98]

Nope.

does it still slap back?

No trigger slap, although this was a Bulgarian Milled SLR-95 variant, which as we know commands some premium prices these days. A very solid, smooth, and refined gun, especially for an AK. Once upon a time, I, too, had a bad attitude about the damned Commie Kalashnikov. Not any more.

BTW, there are very easy ways to fix the trigger slap problem in AK variants, either by replacing the fire control group or doing a slight modification to the trigger to prevent the bounce from smacking your trigger finger.

 

[Black Snowman]

I prefer the set trigger on my CZ 550. About 4.5 lbs on the standard pull. Took some easy stoning work to get rid of the grit but overtravel was never a problem. Haven't done a thing to change the set trigger which is about a lb or so I'd guess (haven't guaged either trigger pull so just guesstamating).

Heavier, slightly long trigger pull for field work and extremely short and light trigger pull for load testing. Best of both worlds IMHO.

 

[Chip Dixon]

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE AKs. It's just not the type of gun I'd be doing trigger work and other such mods on. I classify the AK is the king of all utility beater guns. Not a fine target arm like an AR. I'd rather get a second AK or a huge brick of ammo than a trigger job for it.

Of course, when I think AK, I think Romanian AK, not an SLR-95. You have a nice gun there, worthy of a trigger job.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Depends on what you consider to be "working."

A police sharpshooter (read "sn*per") would be setting himself up for trouble with a 10 ounce trigger on his duty rifle, considering the very nature of his job. An AD due to a too light trigger pull would not be a good thing.

A LEO's duty pistol is also "100% working" but would be undeserving of a light pull weight (part of Glock's acceptance into the LEO community).

On my squirrel rifle, which I consider to be about as much of a working rifle as a person can get, has a very clean, crisp 13 ounce trigger. Though some may consider this "light," I actually consider it heavy compared to the 8 ounce trigger I had on it for a short time. Keep in mind 8 ounces is NOTHING compared to the benchresters with 1.5ounce Jewells.

As I've shot more and more, my shooting tastes have developed a lighter trigger taste. I shoot my rimfires quite often; about 5k-7k rounds per year. When I purchased a Remington 700 for a soon-upcoming deer hunt, I felt like I was pulling the trigger for AGES before it finally broke. This year I'm investing in an aftermarket trigger in the 1.5-3 lbs range, as I want a lighter trigger than factory, yet do not require as much precision as I do on my 0-75 yard .22LR squirrel gun.

 

[Chipperman]

Chip, remember that not all Romanian AK's have slap. I own two SAR1's and neither have slap. Even when they do, it's easily remedied, as Gewehr98 stated. My AR triggers are better, but the AK's are not bad.

Remember also that not all AR's are "a fine target arm".

Both platforms have plenty of room for good and bad.

From one Chip to another.