doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Trigger Pulls on Sidelock Shotgun

How easy is the trigger pull adjusted on sidelock shotguns? I just purchased a used one and the triggers are VERY light. Id like to have them adjusted to be a little heavier. Is this an easy fix?

Adam

Adam, yes and no. It is usually an easy job for a pro, but not easy at all for a novice. The relationship between the sear and the tumbler is critical, and usually must be stoned in order to improve the trigger pull. It sounds like either the notch is too shallow, the angles are wrong or the sharp edge(s) has worn away due to use and/or steel in that parts that are not hardened well. A good trigger man can fix you up if it needs deepening or otherwise recutting a bit. If it's soft metal it just won't last after it is recut. He will know this, however, by how easily the stones cut and can sometimes harden the parts after stoning.

What make sidelock is it?

Stan

Stan is correct in his assessment. The angles between the sear and bent are critical. If either of these parts are softer than the other, or both parts are soft they will wear and produce a very light trigger pull and potentially dangerous situation. Be sure to have them checked.

Adam-Check to make sure the breech pin and particularly the hand pin at the rear of the tangs, are not over tightened. If they are, the triggers may be in contact with the sears. This can pull the sear noses slightly out of the tumbler notches, causing very light pulls.

I had to 'adjust' twist the end of sear leg where it makes contact with the trigger. I 'raised' the little leg a little and the touchy trigger was solved. As was said; could be over contact with the sear leg. I could clearly see the one leg was lower than the other at the triggers.

Pull the stock. Attach the barrels with snap caps in and the forend and observe what's happening when firing and cocking.

I absolutely agree with all the above.
First check the sear clearance, with the gun checked as unloaded, hand, breech and t'plate pins tight, take of the safety and check that there is clearly detectable fore and aft movement in both triggers, 1mm at the tip of the trigger is a rough rule of thumb. If not, your sear clearance is insufficient and may be holding the sear partially out of the bent.
You certainly can strip and check what is going on inside but if the sear clearance checks out, trigger pull adjustment is not for beginners. I have been doing them for many years and they still give me headaches every now and then.
One big problem of 'having a go' is that you may well land up reducing the length of the sear nose significantly which will reduce the tumbler strike power and may throw your ejector timing out as well. Only solution then is to have the sear noses built up with TIG and re-cut to shape. You will wish you never started!

Can anyone recommend a good smith to work on my Beretta ASE single trigger? Cole couldn't do it. Neither could Bolsa. Trigger work is an art. It is a lot more than just swapping out parts.

Single triggers are even another "ballgame". I'd make some calls and just ask if the smith has any experience with that trigger. You could start with Jim Clark at Simmons Rib, or Jim Kelly at Darlington Gun Works. You can Google the phone numbers.

Stan

Thanks for the replies fellas. I appreciate the info and your comments. Last night I removed both locks and found something that made me sick.... a CRACK! It really sucks because it was a nice little double, especially for the price I paid. I was getting ready to ship it to James Flynn for him to take care of the triggers... now I am shipping it back to the seller for a refund.

It's a Laurona 12-bore. I don't know the model but I do know it was imported by Thad Scott. 26" bbls, imp cylinder & full chokes, weighs 6lbs 4oz..... it would have made a fine quail gun.


Here are some photos.















The crack. It was repaired at one point but even the repair has cracked.


Thanks again for the help.

Adam

Hello Adam,

It is a pity the repair was not well done (and you were not informed) because the
gun looks very nice.

Maybe you can get a substantial discount and have the crack properly mended.
It should not be too complicated.

JC