Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing How to adjust a Shilen trigger?

UPS has delivered my rifle that I sent off to have a Shilen trigger installed. Good news is the trigger does feel great, but the bad news is that it is set for 1.25#s. I asked for it to be set somewhere between 2.75 and 3#s. I understand that Shilen triggers are supposed to be easily adjustable. My question is, how does one do this? I really don't want to ship it back to the smith if its not needed, but for me ... 1.25#'s is just too light for a hunting rifle. The trigger feels nice ... no creep and no overtravel, but I'm not sure how well I would do in th field and gloves.

Thanx,

What kind of rifle is it for?

Blaine,

Its for that M700 we were discussing in the past. I just knew I wasn't going to trust that factory trigger again (on that rifle ... not all SUCKS triggers). So I had a Shilen put on it.

Thanx,

It adjusts just about the same as the factory unit, and the screws are all in the same place. The pull weight screw in on the front (towards the barrel) on the bottom. Turning it in increases pull weight and vice versa.

I've got the instruction sheet at home and will scan and post it for you this afternoon so you can see for yourself.

Be careful with the brass lock nuts, they are fairly easy to strip.

CAS,

Thank-you.

Here you go.





Let me know if it's too small to read, I'll email it to you.

CAS,

Thank-you for the post, I can read most of it except the drawing. Which adjustment screw is which? Upper left, Lower left, and the one on the right.

Thanx,

On the drawing pictured:

Upper Left - Overtravel
Lower Left - Pull Weight
Right - Sear Engagement

I hope that helps.

Helps greatly! Many thanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

One last note or two....

Do not mess with the sear engagement screw unless you are 100% sure you know what you are doing. You can get very crisp pulls with minmal sear engagement, but too little sear engagement can be dangerous.

Also, the trigger lever must always return under the sear in a very positive manner. If it has any slop as it gets close to being in position, it is a recipe for disaster.

Lastly, the over travel must not be too limited--that too can cause problems.

Once again, if you can get down my way, I'll glady show you how to adjust these things and let you shoot my 416.

Blaine

Blaine,

Trust me ... from my limited experience regarding the working of a trigger, the sear engagment screw will be the last thing I touch! The trigger is set perfectly regarding crispness of pull and overtravel, just the pull wieght is too low for my liking.

I do want to head up that way and head out to the range with you, just so much stuff here at school ... Saturday's off are a rarity. Also wanted to chat with you about your chasing a PhD, tried several times to compose a response to that post, just didn't feel I was conveying the message I wanted to send.

Do look forward to meeting you someday along with several of our other Texas members.

Sounds good! Lets make sure we do hook up before I leave San Antonio and you leave A&M.