Griswold replica hair trigger

[griswold]

I have an old reb griswold replica I purchased back in 1970 after returning from Marine boot camp and ITR. (my great grand pappy carried two of these originals during the Souths war for independence from the North according to family lore)

Don't know how may rounds I have fired thru this thing but it was a bunch and I used it exclusively for home defense and camping protection while my boys grew up. I know over the years the trigger was getting lighter and lighter to touch off. Finally put it up for several years after I finally was able to build a collection of center fire revolvers and rifles.

Pulled it out of the safe a few months ago and pulled the nipples to dry fire and the trigger spring broke. Replaced that from Wolfs and after much tinkering got the thing to at least hold at 1-1.5 lbs of pull. Didn't like that and pulled it apart again (I'd like 2-4 lbs of pull) and found the sear on the hammer looked pretty worn to me. However, I am not sure if I am correct or not.

So.........what are my options? Replace the hammer? There is not much metal to work with on the current hammer, to try to reshape and the bevel does have an angle that I think is too shallow, (if that is the right word; and this is why I say it looks worn), thus causing a very light pull.

Or..........do I still need to work with the trigger spring more to increase the resistance?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Griswold

[Abilene]

Howdy Gris,
Well the Wolff spring is probably lighter than a standard spring, so that by itself will make for a lighter trigger pull.  If you got their wire spring then bending the trigger side for more tension can help.  Or you might put a standard flat spring in it.  As for the trigger sear and hammer notch, I know those can be worked to increase pull, but knowing when a part is just too worn is beyond my skill level 

Good luck.

[Coffinmaker]

It isn't very often the hammer ledge is a fault.  Normally, the problem is the  trigger sear.  I can't see your parts but there are certain angles and dangles of relationship between the hammer ledge and trigger.  They need to be polished to the correct angle and if metal is removed, re-hardened.
You need to find a gunsmith who is very conversant with SA type handguns and who has the proper jig to correct the problem.  A one pound trigger pull is just not enough to be safe.

Coffinmaker

[Blair]

griswold,

Let me ask a question;
When you full cock the hammer, does the trigger press against your trigger finger enough to feel like the trigger is pressing your finger against the front of the trigger guard? (kind of pinching it?)
How you reply to this question will determine my response.
Thank you,
  Blair

[griswold]

Blair,
Yes there is forward push of the trigger when cocked, more with the first notch than the second.........I pulled it apart again yesterday after Coffinmaker and Abilene responded and tried making the curve of the trigger spring leaf deeper to increase the tension.....(I bought a flat spring from Wolff). It helped put some higher effort in the pull and might be the answer, but I do not know how much curve to put into the trigger spring leaf.

There is absolutely no creep at all! When I squeeze, the hammer drops. I feel this make for a hair trigger. Am I correct?

It's been so many years since I used the weapon that I don't remember if it ever had any creep in the pull. It could be it did and is just worn now. My Blackhawk has a bit of creep and so did my 3rd gen Colt Model P.

Griswold

[Abilene]

Howdy Griswold,
Actually, triggers with no creep are usually what one wants, and 'smiths work to get the creep out of the trigger pull when they do an action job.  "Hair trigger" would relate to how much force must be put on the trigger before the hammer drops.  A lot of people consider 2 1/2 lbs of trigger pull to be just right, at least for a competition gun, but that is too light for others.  Most would agree that a 1 lb or less trigger pull would definitely be considered a hair trigger.