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Forums10
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Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,624 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,624 Likes: 13 |
I have an opportunity to buy a 20 ga Grade 2 LC Smith. I have heard the Hunter One Trigger is often problematic and there are few gunsmiths willing/able to work on them. Please chime in! Thank you! Gil
[IMG]
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
See if the seller will allow you test fire it first- a Grade 2 20 will have the 2 & 1/2" shorter chambers, so RST shells are a must-I'd want to test fire this gun with the trigger in both L and R settings, with at least a full box of shells- Also, FYI- the HOT equipped Smith guns will always have a non-automatic safety. You are right, the best LC Smith gunsmith in America that I know of, will NOT work on HOT triggers- Buck Hamlin in MO.
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 38
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 38 |
I really like the Hunter One Triggers I have not had any problems with mine be I hear that Jerry Andrews is the guru on them.
Ken
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,149 Likes: 1147
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,149 Likes: 1147 |
I have been shooting one pretty hard for about 5-6 years. Never a hiccup. My gun, however, is in above average condition, leading me to think the trigger has never been messed with.
I think it is pretty well accepted among Smith aficionados that Jerry Andrews is the go-to man for problematic HOTs.
SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,405
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,405 |
They are a complex and delicate piece of equipment. And very reliable. At least until someone who does not know what they are doing messes with them. Even over tightening a screw on the action can cause them to act up.
If the gun is original and not fooled with and clean, it will likely work fine for you.
B.Dudley
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,672 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,672 Likes: 4 |
My gunsmith thought so much of them that he duplicated several of them for installation on other Smiths.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 757 Likes: 113
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 757 Likes: 113 |
Jerry is your guy. I have had him repair three, mind you these three were all fixer uppers or damaged guns. The ones I've shot have never failed me. I had a Pigeon grade double on me once while dove hunting but never again so I don't bad mouth the HOT overall.
I will say if it works let it be- throw away your screwdrivers so you won't be tempted.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,558 Likes: 22
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,558 Likes: 22 |
I asked Dewey Vicknair about them one time. He said they work fine if they are clean and haven't been messed with. Dewey would know.
foxes rule
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,190 Likes: 15
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,190 Likes: 15 |
I presently own and shoot a 1925 vintage Ideal Grade 12-bore with a HOT unit; this gun has obviously seen some aftermarket tampering, but the trigger units works great and without a hitch. I once got a deal on a 1912 vintage 3-E 12-bore because the HOT unit on that gun didn't work at all. The gun was sent to Jerry Andrews for a trigger repair and I shot the gun for years afterwards with no other issues (still regret trading that Smith). I've owned several other Smiths with the HOT option; and the only problem ever encountered with any was with a beautiful A-2 Grade. If I selected right barrel first, the gun would double; if I fired the left barrel first, the trigger unit worked fine. Not wanting the gun tampered with, I left the gun AS IS and used it quite effectively with the left/right firing order for years.
And as I prefer double guns with manually operated safety slides, let me add also that one thing I really appreciated about the Smith HOT unit is that it won't allow an "automatic" safety feature (maybe when used on other makes, but on a Smith gun there is not enough room after installation for the bar that connects the safety slide to the top lever). So when shooting clays, or in a late season dove blind by myself I never have to be concerned with losing a shot because I either failed to remember, or improperly manipulated the safety slide (some will consider this practice unsafe; so I don't encourage anyone to follow my personal preferences).
Last edited by topgun; 08/20/15 08:57 AM.
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Dewey Vicknair
Unregistered
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Dewey Vicknair
Unregistered
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All troubles with the Hunter One Trigger (Lard's patent) are caused by the design shortcomings of the gun in which it's installed, and/or the tamperings of the incompetent.
It's funny that Lard triggers in Westley Richards guns have no such bad reputation but when that trigger is used in a Smith it suddenly becomes an incomprehensibly complex, unreliable unit that "America's best" gunsmiths won't touch?
Give me a break.
I suggest that you read the Guncraft section in the March/April 2010 issue of Shooting Sportsman. There you will find all you need to know regarding Allan Lard's fine design.
As far as repairs, I wholeheartedly recommend Jerry Andrews. He understands how these triggers function and is willing to work on them.
Happily, my days of working on Smiths are past.
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