Questions original Winchester 1876 rifle??

[ohiochuck]

Several questions concerning an original Winchester 1876 rifle
1.   Using the set trigger on an original Winchester 1876 what is the weight of pull vs. not using the set trigger? Checking my 1876 the trigger pull breaks at 2 lbs (not equipped with a set trigger option).
2.   When the ladder sight on my original 1876 rifle is set vertical the leaf sight will not stay where placed and slides back down to the bottom of the sight ladder. Any easy way to fix it so it works correctly?

[Buck Stinson]

I have an original pistol grip deluxe '76 with set trigger.   You can actually set the screw adjustment so fine that the sear will not engage the trigger.  At the point of engagement, the trigger pull is roughly 3/4  pound.   This is at the spot where by bumping the butt against the ground, it will not go off.  The heavy setting is at the point where a standard trigger would be.  Mind you, the condition of the gun makes a world of difference.  My gun is a very high condition rifle with case colored frame made in 1880 that has not seen much use.  I had one "expert" tell me that the original long leaf rear sight that was standard on the 1876 rifles and some carbines, had a small spring in the slide that pressed against the staff.  I have had many '76 Winchesters, most with high condition, but I have never seen this spring in the long leaf sight.  I actually have one of these sights new in the original Winchester marked box and it does NOT have the spring.   That being said, all 1873, 1892 and 1894 carbines of the 1915 to end of production period did have the spring in the slide of the short leaf rear sight.  The best way to tighten the elevation slide is to remove the sight from the dovetail, place the slide on a hard flat surface while still on the staff and bump it gently with a light weight plastic head hammer.  I would not suggest placing the staff and slide in a vice because you have very little control over the amount of pressure you apply.  The ears on the slide are hard and will break (personal experience) so treating it gently is the way to go.

[ohiochuck]

Thank you Buck for your response to my two questions!
Jim