New trigger for the old 22

PaulS · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 8:18 pm Post subject: New trigger for the old 22

After a long conversation with Timney about the mods required to use the compatible 788 trigger on my model 581 Remington I ordered the trigger assembly. $109 plus $3.49 postage is what it cost (almost twice what the rifle cost) but it will be worth it to have a trigger that is at 4 pounds (can be adjusted down to 1.5) and dependable. I have to cut the top of the bolt stop pin because it is longer than the original and clearance the stock for the larger safety lever and a bit in front for the adjusting screws. "Other than that it is a drop-in" according to Timney. My hope is to get in in before this Saturday's silhouette match so I have a chance to fire it before the match.

Gil Martin · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:21 am Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

Interesting post. Let us know how it works out. All the best...
Gil

Bushmaster · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 7:15 am Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

And photos [before and after] wouldbe nice...

PaulS · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:09 am Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

I will do my best on the photos..........

I will let you know as the swap takes place how it goes and what the final results are.

dhc4ever · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

$109 eh, geeze we get touched.
$248 for the timmeny I fitted to my Rem 788.
We have little choice as trigger parts are a restricted import.
It is a very nice trigger though, enjoy yours.

PaulS · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

I am ready to start the process of changing the trigger groups. You can see the Timney trigger upper right of the first picture.

After removing the cleared barreled action from the stock you can see the roll pin that holds the trigger group to the action.

Removing the pin with a special roll pin punch and a two ounce hammer

Here are both triggers for a side-by-side comparison. You can see that the 788 trigger bolt stop pin is higher and that the safety lever is lower and has the same displacement in thickness. The problem is that it is displaced inside the stock instead of rising out of the stock and then bending out. A lot of wood is going to be removed in that area and just in front of the trigger relief for the added length of the Timney Trigger.

Here I have measured the retracted length of both bolt stop pins to get the amount I need to remove.

After using a sander and my stones to trim that bolt stop pin I installed it to check the operation. The bolt stop pin holds the bolt in and releases it when the lever is pushed forward. The safety snaps on and off as it should.

With about two hours of trial fittings and removing pieces from the stock (and one slip -OOPS - I got the trigger assembly installed. Everything works!
I now have a Timney trigger in my 581. I adjusted the pull to about three pounds - this is very light to me. It has no creep and no over-travel. It breaks clean and crisp.

No time to go to the range to test it on live fire so I will do some dry fire practice to see if I can use the trigger without increasing the pull.

Elvis · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

mate be wary dry firing a .22 rimfire. the pin can end up breaking as it may come into contact with barrel end. a spent case works fine.

Very Happy

and nice job hope new trigger tightens those groups up for you.

Vince · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

Elvis wrote:

mate be wary dry firing a .22 rimfire. the pin can end up breaking as it may come into contact with barrel end. a spent case works fine.

Very Happy

and nice job hope new trigger tightens those groups up for you.

Paul, I agree totally with this warning from Elvis. I have always been taught that you NEVER dry fire a rimfire without a spent cartridge case in the chamber, and even then I move the case around until I no longer have any "clean" rim to hit...I then change the cartridge case for another.

As Pete shows...Timney Triggers are as dear as poison out here in Oz. I would love to fit one to my Weatherby .243 but simply can't afford one...yet.

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

Maybe Paul's .22 rifle is like mine in that it can be dry fired without a case or dummy in the chamber. The firing pin can't reach the chamber rim. Most modern .22 rifles and handguns are designed this way or have a detent in the chamber rim for the firing pin.

PaulS · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

I have given it some thought - it is an old out of production gun so I might have to make a snap cap for it. I have dry fired it a lot and it is ok so far but now that I have been warned - on top of my own concerns - I will use a fired case until I can make a snap cap for it.

I fired it for the first time at the match today and tied with a shooter from Alaska who will be going to the nationals next month. The wind was blamed for our poor showing - we both scored 15/40 which is well below my average but with a 30 mph wind it felt good to hit that many. The trigger only "surprised" me once during the shoot so the dry fire practice last night did help. I think I like it even better with the new trigger. I may have to start thinking about a new barrel again - just to find out if that improves the shooting too. (for now I will keep that as an alibi)

This little $60 dollar 22 is going to end up being a very expensive toy - $110 for the trigger, $300 for a new barrel, $200 for a new stock...... $400 for a tricked out scope... Then I will have to accept that my shooting is to blame. Smile

MacD · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 8:22 am Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

This dry firing subject deserves a sticky and thorough discussion. There are a lot of variables involved including the chamber rim, centrefire vs rimfire and solid versus sprung? pin.

Vince · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 12:20 am Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

Mac, I think the safest way is to not dry fire a rimfire regardless of the firing pin setup mate...unless you are going to put a spent case in the chamber or use a snap cap, although I am not sure exactly what a snap cap for a rimfire would look like.

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:20 am Post subject: Re: New trigger for the old 22

One Snap Cap for .22 rimfire and a CCI Mini-Mag.