Timney or trigger job?

[kennygarza]

I have a Ruger M77 MkII I'm looking to lighten the trigger on. Gunsmiths in the area can do a trigger job for around $65. My other option is an aftermarket trigger kit like a Timney for around $100 plus about $45 for the installation. I know the cheaper route is looking pretty good right now, but I'd like to hear some of your opinions.
Thanks-
KG

 

[Smokey Joe]

Trigger install

Kennygarza--You can probably save yrself the cost of installing a Timney. My experience doesn't include doing one on a Ruger, but the ones I have done have been really easy. Call Timney--they have an 800 number, and are very helpful.

You may have to Dremel a little wood out around the Timney in yr stock--If it's wood, seal the stock up afterwards with cheap varnish; it won't show from the outside.

BTW, I don't have any issues regarding safety of a trigger you install yrself. Follow the directions, check everything twice, then check it again; be sure it works 100% of the time while you're installing it, test it carefully @ the range and if it's still at the 100% level, no problems. Youll be using safe gun handling anyhow, so if there were some sort of problem, you'd only get embarrassed, not hurt.

 

[Jaywalker]

kennygarza,

Which way you go depends a lot on what you value.

I think the work on the existing trigger is the most cost-effective way to get a really good trigger. I actually bought and took delivery of the Timney, but didn't open the package and was able to return it. "Just a little Dremel work" was more than I wanted to do.

Instead, I did a little honing myself - my first trigger attempt - based on instructions from the internet. It was actually pretty easy to disassemble the trigger. It took longer to get the action out of the stock than to take the trigger apart - I got trigger disassembly/reassembly down to about 30 seconds each, plus the trigger honing time.

This isn't to suggest that you do it, just that it's likely the easiest trigger for a gunsmith to work on. If he takes much more than 20 minutes to give you a crisp, three-pound trigger...well, you might want to look for another gunsmith.

The only problem with trigger honing is that the makers don't sell trigger parts to you. If you pay $65 for honing, but then have to send the rifle back to Ruger for anything at all, they'll do a "safety check" and "fix" your trigger back to factory awfulness. (BT, DT, and have the T-shirt.)

Having a Timney doesn't fix this problem, either. Since they can't do their safety check, they'll likely refuse to work on it at all. At least if you have the Timney, though, when sending your rifle back to Ruger, you'll be able to remove the Timney and temporarily replace it with the factory thing they call a trigger.

So the Timney costs a bit more, and may not be a better trigger, but gives you the option of retaining your warranty. Dealer's choice.

Jaywalker

 

[dakotasin]

for a ruger, go aftermarket. they are just too tough to get right, and a lot of times you'll end up replacing the trigger even after a 'smith goes thru it - kinda like throwing good money after bad.

do the install yourself - bolt guns are simple machines. might take a few minutes, but you'll be more competent at adjusting your rifle to your individual preferences later.

 

[Canuck-IL]

Timney's on sale at Midway this week - $65
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=285329&EblastID=9132005
/B

 

[kennygarza]

Thanks very much for the info , guys. Yes, they have the Timney trigger for cheaper than I thought. Makes me think the gunsmith was trying to get another $35 from me. I will think it over throughout the weekend and let you guys know what I decide to do. I guess 3-3.5lbs is good for a hunting rifle?
Thanks-
KG

 

[Rockstar]

Installing a Timney trigger on a Ruger is REALLY simple, and, has been said, Timney will gladly assist you if you get into trouble.

 

[dakotasin]

kenny - i like my hunting rifles to run 2-3 pounds. warm weather guns (antelope rifles) run 2 pounds, cold weather rifles (deer) run 3.

most folks set hunting rifles up for 3.5-4 pounds.

 

[Monkeyleg]

I installed a Timney 1.75 pound trigger on my Remington 700 myself. And I'm not a gunsmith by any stretch of the imagination.

While I don't have any experience with other brands of triggers, this one is really sweet.

 

[sumpnz]

Sell your Ruger and get a CZ 550 (or keep the Ruger and just add the 550). Easily user adjustable trigger, and a single set trigger to boot. With the set trigger pull is adjustable from .5-1.5#. In normal operation it can be adjusted from 2.5-5#.