1871 Springfield Rolling Block trigger pull

[hatman]

I recently purchased an 1871 Springfield (Remington) rolling block rifle.
I'm really happy with how it looks, and shoots except for what seems like about a 30 pound trigger pull.
That's just a guess; could be 20-25, but it's pretty strong.

Do any of you guys have any wisdom about how to reduce the trigger pull on this rifle?

[Kent Shootwell]

 I'm guessing you have a military rifle, I had a Burnside carbine you could carry by the trigger! Assuming your rifle is clean and properly oiled a  heavy trigger pull is governed by spring strength and sear angles. The correct sear notch on the hammer will allow the sear to move with out undue effort even with a heavy spring. The amount of engagement affects the amount of creep you feel befor the hammer falls. A well polished surface of both sear and hammer reduces the drag. This long winded (for me) explanation is to guide you towards a gunsmith to do the work needed. It's too easy for the untrained hand to get the angles wrong and at best ruin some parts but more likely to make a unsafe gun.

[hatman]

Thank you, Kent.
Not necessarily what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear.

[hatman]

Upon further reflection (and more shooting)...
I've decided to leave the trigger pull as-is.
I like the idea of shooting it as it was built to be shot.
It's just a privilege to have a chance to shoot a piece of history.

[Lord Eoin MacKenzie]

I think that Lee Shaver, gunsmith is a Rolling block Guru.   He runs the Single Shot Exchange magazine.

[Dave T]

I had a NY State Militia 50/70 Rolling Block at one time. In an article I wrote concerning it and another militia rifle I had back then I described the RB's trigger thusly: imagine sliding a heavy brick across the top of a rough work bench with one finger until if finally fell of the end. That's what the trigger pull of that RB felt like.

Sounds like hatman may have found my old gun. (smile)

Dave

[LongWalker]

I once replaced the trigger spring in a NY Militia RB with one made of piano wire bent to the same profile.  Trigger pull was reduced about 12-13# (to 5# and some odd-ounces) but the creep was more noticeable.  After shimming the full-cock notch, it wasn't half bad. 

Then I traded it off for some forgettable rifle I "had to have", and have been kicking myself for 25 years. 

[Professor Marvel]

My Good Hatman -
here is a link to some informative videos on the RB from the Midway gunsmiths

https://videos.midwayusa.com/index.php/show/gunsmithing_-_how_to_reduce_the_trigger_pull_on_a_remington_rolling_block_pistol?id=1_vyo00isl


hope this helps
yhs
prof marvel

[Lucky R. K.]

If you install a weaker trigger spring and grind the hammer spring you can get down to a 3 or 4 lb. Trigger pull. Be careful when grinding the hammer spring. Do a little and test it.

I have a good 3_4lb trigger on my R rolling Block.