tuning an 870's trigger?

labgrade · January 3, 2002, 08:35 PM

I'd like to do some trigger work on the 870s stable.

What's to do?

We got any tips here at TFL or a pointer to another (is there another?

) on-line source?

Don't need a "breaks like a glass rod - 2 lb trigger." I would like one with a bit less creep & pull though.

& don't care to really buy anything, just do some work to it.

Thank in advance, folks.

Dfariswheel · January 3, 2002, 09:29 PM

Usually I polish both legs of the trigger bar. The short leg which engages the sear, and the long leg that is engaged by the slide release lever. Look for the areas that make contact, and lightly polish.
I polish the contact areas of the sear and hammer. I DO NOT recommend altering the actual sear, hammer engagement, unless you're a qualified 'smith, since you can have an unsafe/ruined trigger assembly, and in my experience, they seldom need it anyway.

The trigger/sear spring can either have ONE coil MAX cut off, or a lighter spring substituted. This will give a lighter pull.

Clean the entire assembly, dry and relube with your favorite lube.
I put a drop of straight STP Oil Treatment on the engagement areas of the sear/hammer.

Dave McC · January 4, 2002, 02:40 AM

I'm no smith, but I know and support several. They KNOW how to work on 870s triggers, and charge a reasonable amount for same. Last one I had done was $35. To me, 3-4 lbs is optimum.

I don't do the brakes on my family's cars either.

January 3, 2002, 08:35 PM	#1
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	tuning an 870's trigger? I'd like to do some trigger work on the 870s stable. What's to do? We got any tips here at TFL or a pointer to another (is there another? ) on-line source? Don't need a "breaks like a glass rod - 2 lb trigger." I would like one with a bit less creep & pull though. & don't care to really buy anything, just do some work to it. Thank in advance, folks.

January 3, 2002, 09:29 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Usually I polish both legs of the trigger bar. The short leg which engages the sear, and the long leg that is engaged by the slide release lever. Look for the areas that make contact, and lightly polish. I polish the contact areas of the sear and hammer. I DO NOT recommend altering the actual sear, hammer engagement, unless you're a qualified 'smith, since you can have an unsafe/ruined trigger assembly, and in my experience, they seldom need it anyway. The trigger/sear spring can either have ONE coil MAX cut off, or a lighter spring substituted. This will give a lighter pull. Clean the entire assembly, dry and relube with your favorite lube. I put a drop of straight STP Oil Treatment on the engagement areas of the sear/hammer.

January 4, 2002, 02:40 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	I'm no smith, but I know and support several. They KNOW how to work on 870s triggers, and charge a reasonable amount for same. Last one I had done was $35. To me, 3-4 lbs is optimum. I don't do the brakes on my family's cars either.