The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Can I lighten the trigger pull on my airgun?

Dave R · September 16, 2006, 05:25 PM

UPDATE! After spending at least 3 hours sandpapering the sear, and feeling maybe a tiny bit of improvement, I did something a little desperate.

I was pretty sure I was on the right track with rounding that honking sear crossways to the piston. That way, I'm not changing shape so much as changing the surface area of the contact.

So, I, uh, well, got out the dremel.

Examining the polishing of the sandpaper, I thought I saw a bit of a hook on the sear. So I carefully polished that off and rounded the sear a touch.

Now the pull is about 4-5lbs.

Downside: I had one or two times (out of a hundred or so) where the sear didn't catch the piston when I cocked it. Made me nervous. But if I cock it with authority, I get consistent result on the cocking and the trigger.

Time will tell whether I made it prone to weakening over time, but for now, Its a lot more pleasant to shoot.

And there's still plenty of meat left on that sear.

September 16, 2006, 05:25 PM	#12
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	UPDATE! After spending at least 3 hours sandpapering the sear, and feeling maybe a tiny bit of improvement, I did something a little desperate. I was pretty sure I was on the right track with rounding that honking sear crossways to the piston. That way, I'm not changing shape so much as changing the surface area of the contact. So, I, uh, well, got out the dremel. Examining the polishing of the sandpaper, I thought I saw a bit of a hook on the sear. So I carefully polished that off and rounded the sear a touch. Now the pull is about 4-5lbs. Downside: I had one or two times (out of a hundred or so) where the sear didn't catch the piston when I cocked it. Made me nervous. But if I cock it with authority, I get consistent result on the cocking and the trigger. Time will tell whether I made it prone to weakening over time, but for now, Its a lot more pleasant to shoot. And there's still plenty of meat left on that sear.