Need Advice About FN Hi-Power's Trigger

[nero45acp]

A few months ago I bought a FN Hi-Power from CDNN. Overall, I'm happy with it. Great ergonomics, 100% reliable. However, the out of box trigger was around 9lbs. I took it to a local gunsmith who removed the magazine disconnect safety and did a trigger job on it (without any aftermarket parts), which reduced the trigger pull to about 5-1/2lbs. I still feel this a little too heavy for a range only/informal target shooting pistol.

I am able to shoot about 3" groups with it at 10 yards, but consistantly 1-1/2" to 3" to the right of bullseye. I am pretty sure that this is due to the trigger because before the trigger job I was consistantly shooting 3-4" to the right. By comparison, I can shoot 2-3" groups, dead center with my SIG P225 at the same distance, using the same ammo (WWB).

My question is this, should I take it back to the same gunsmith, who says he may be able to lighten the trigger another 1 to 1-1/2 pounds using C&S sear, hammer, and springs, (which would cost a little chunk of change)? I'm also concerned that lightening the trigger more may cause problems with light primer strikes. Or should I have him just use a brass punch and move the rear sight just a fraction to the left to compensate for my shooting the Hi-Power slightly to the right? Thanks.



nero

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I think I'd approach this two-fold:

Work hard at maintaining trigger control and if absolutely sure that the divergence between POA vs POI is not me, I would then have the sights moved. It might be possible that your gun's sights were hitting a bit to the right with the problem aggravated by the heavier trigger pull.

A clean, light trigger pull is certainly an aid in shooting good groups but speaking only for myself, I find that "clean breaking" is more important than "light."

I'd really work on the shooting end of it and once I was certain that I was performing my end of the "transaction" to the best of my ability, I would consider the trigger work. 5 1/2 lbs, if clean breaking, is not bad and around 4 to about 4 1/2 lbs is usually about the best that can be expected from the Hi Power trigger. I've certainly seen some exceptions but this is usually true.

Good luck and please keep us updated on your progress and observations.

Best.

 

[Coltdriver]

If you are comfortable taking the gun apart try getting some moly fusion.

It is simple to apply and will have a remarkable effect on smoothing your HP.

The really light trigger pull for a HP is achieved by changing out what amounts to a transfer bar. That means drilling a new hole in the slide. Too much hassle in my opinion, not to mention its expensive and you will never get your money back for the modification.

I have a MKIII that I treated with Moly Fusion, cost about $20. Did not change the weight of the trigger but it totally smoothed it out. If you already have a trigger job done that last little bit of smoothing may be all you need. Mine still has the mag safety in it (I treated the mag safety button and the face of the mags).

Do a look up on google. The $20 kit is enough to do two or three guns. Works great to reduce fouling in the barrel too.

 

[nero45acp]

Mr. Camp, and Coltdriver, thanks for your helpful replies. I am pretty sure that the problem is the trigger and I, and not off sights. I have put about 1200 rounds thru the Hi-Power, and have dry fired it extensively, and despite a very concentrated effort to maintain good trigger control, I have consistently noticed a very slight right shift of the muzzle when the trigger breaks. The trigger is very crisp.

I am a little baffled as to why I haven't been able to overcome this, as I have shot many pistols with much heavier trigger pulls without this problem. Including a FN BDAO (DAO Hi-Power), and revolvers in DA. In fact I'm able to shoot the FN BDAO with it's approx. 10lbs DAO trigger better than the lighter SA trigger of the traditional Hi-Power.

I am reluctant to really do too much more with the trigger, and that's why I am contemplating adjusting the rear sight very slightly to compensate for my shooting right.

By the way Mr. Camp, I have a copy of your book (purchased from you on ebay) "The Shooter's Guide To The Browning Hi Power", which I have found to be very informative, and enjoyable to read. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the Hi Power.

Coltdriver, I will also check out the Moly Fusion.

Again, Thanks.



nero

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Do other shooters, using the gun, get the same result?

Have someone else (whom you know to be a competent shooter) shoot it before you make any changes. If the other shooter gets the same results, it likely IS trigger related. If not, its arguably technique.

You sound like a reasonably experienced shooter, so I mean no insult when I suggest you look at the BULLSEYE PISTOL site, and examining the ERROR CORRECTION AND ANALYSIS section (about 1/2 way down the list). This includes the "wheel of misfortune."

What you describe could be due to a number of "technique" issues including squeezing the grip as you pull the trigger. Because each gun feels different to the shooter, a bad habit demonstrated with one gun might not raise its ugly head with a different one.

[link]WWW.BULLSEYEPISTOL.COM[/link]

 

[nero45acp]

Update:

I just got back from the gunsmith. He test fired my Hi Power at 7 yards and casually shot five rounds in one quarter-sized ragged hole....2" to the right. He said the sights were definitely off a little, and then took the pistol to the back room to adjust them. He then comes back a few minutes later, and again very casually shoots a five round ragged hole, this time dead center bullseye. I then happily ask him, "How much do I owe you?" He replies, "Five bucks." Five bucks! I had to pinch myself because I thought I was dreaming! Needless to say, I left him the $5 plus a very generous tip.

I'm also happy to learn that the problem I was having of shooting to the right was the pistol's sights and not my shooting.

I probably won't get to the range again until next monday, but monday afternoon I'll post how I did with my Hi Power after the sight adjustment.

Thanks again, to all for the helpful replies!


nero

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.

Sounds really good. I'm glad that worked out well and please do let us know how the pistol shoots for you.

Best.

 

[callgood]

If the trigger still seems a little heavy, you might try replacing it with a C&S trigger. It is wider and may make the pull SEEM lighter. From what I've seen, they come from C&S needing some polishing, fitting and then finishing (bluing). Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.
I just purchased a Hi Power, and I plan to put about 1000 rounds thru it and then send it for some fine tuning- definately a new trigger. The stock one starts to wear on me after 50-75 rounds.