Mauser 98 with 2 triggers?

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nico

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I was watching a piece on the Mauser 98 on the History Channel last night and I could have sworn one of the guns they were demonstrating with had two triggers. Were my eyes just deceiving me, or did they really make a Mauser with two triggers? If so, what's the purpose of two triggers on a bolt action.
 
What you're describing, double set triggers, I've typically seen on commercial mausers, but also found on 98 conversions. Pulling the rear one sets the front to a hair trigger. I didn't see the show, but have used them before.
 
With double-set triggers, the rear trigger is shaped like an inverted "L" and is held uncocked by a strong spring. When the rear trigger is pulled, the tip of the "L" is caught by a notch in the front trigger. A light pull of the front trigger (typically measured in ounces) is enough to release the rear trigger, and the arm of the "L" springs up and trips the sear.

Triggers like this were common on Kentucky rifles and are often found in European hunting rifles.
 
so it's like an older equivalent of a 2 stage trigger? Interresting

Entirely different. A two-stage trigger simply has two caming surfaces so that the initial pull is long and easy, the second surface is short and actually trips the sear.
 
On 98"s and Mannlicher-Schoenauers, the Double Set Trigger is a seperate unit from the sear. The sear has a lever called a "kicker" attached to it.

If you pull just the front trigger, a bar rises up and pushes the kicker, releasing the sear. If you pull the rear trigger first, a different bar is cocked under spring tension. A few ounces of pressure on the front trigger will release this bar, which pops up and slaps the kicker/sear unit.

If you decide not to shoot, you uncock the unit by holding the rear trigger while you pull the front trigger.
 
As noted, pulling the rear trigger takes up almost all of the slack leaving a very light (just a few ounces of pull) front trigger which actually fires the gun.

There also single-set triggers. The CZ 602, 550, etc have these and these work by pushing forward on the trigger until it clicks leaving a very light trigger release.

You can buy double-set trigger groups for fitting to the 98 action from Brownell's and others for around $125-$150. Very European looking. Some BRNO Mausers imported by Charles Daly are available with DS triggers.
 
It appears as if all the Mauser experts answered your question. I suggest you peruse Amazon and find several fine tomes on the Mauser rifle.

;)

Only God, or another tree, can make a tree.
 
Thanks for reminding me to mention the safety.

It is always a good idea to practice decocking, but the safety (on the bolt) will prevent any human error for causing harm. As with any rifle, the safety should be on when not actually shooting.

The single set trigger, as well as some modern DST's, have an integral sear. Some of these will automatically unset if you put on the safety. There are numerous variations involving both side and bolt safeties. Check the owners manual carefully.

The original 98 and M-S double triggers work independently of the bolt safety, and the triggers can be cocked and uncocked with the safety on or off (on is best).
 
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