Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors another 99 trigger question

My 1962 manufactured Savage 99 trigger pulls at an average of 4.9 pounds. My gunsmith will not smooth it any more as he feels it would be dangerous. I respect that. I have noticed when I measure from the very tip of the trigger instead of the middle, it pulls at an average of 4.5 pounds, or 6 oz lighter. This is physics - the leverage effect. Due to the curved shape of the 99 trigger, it is not very comfortable or natural to pull from the tip, and a straight trigger would be better. I am just wondering if there is anyone who has somehow straightened the trigger or bought an after market product to help? Those ACE #19 shoes, if they are even available anymore, just widen it and do not straighten it, so I dont think they are the answer. I kind of doubt if there is anything more I can do, but I thought I would ask - how do I get a straight trigger for my 99?

You have a smart gunsmith.

There is a lot of variability in 99 triggers. Some are tolerable, some are God awful and there is everything between. Monkeying with them can make them dangerous and suspectable to slam fires or any hard knock can set them off.

IMO the trigger and your ability to control it is the number one determining factor in any gun's accuracy. Some would argue that point but again IMO a pristine bore is useless if you can't control the trigger.

My advice is if you don't like the trigger sell it and keep hunting for one with a better trigger.

Just to add, I have a 1963 308 DL and it has an excellent factory trigger. No mush or creep in it at all. I've never measured it, but I am guessing it breaks clean at about 4 lbs. That is about the best you can hope for in any 99.

I've had others that felt like they travelled 1/2 inch and broke at 10 lbs.

I don't have those anymore because all of my guns need to shoot and be able to hunt if called on.

You know what they say, photos or it never happened!

My 68 DL had an excellent trigger on it.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I received a Ballard Pacific yesterday and naturally I had to try the factory double set triggers. The front trigger breaks at such a low point that my trigger pull gauge can't measure it. Maybe 3 or 4 ounces? Absolutely delightful. Unset is a pound. The point being, I have to agree with Randy about a good trigger being essential for capturing the accuracy of a good barrel. One without the other is a waste of a rifleman's time.

The person makes the tool.

Reshaping the curved trigger is a good thought, or adding a pad to the front, so your finger contacts at the very end and gives more leverage. Easy enough to experiment by adding to the front of the curved factory trigger.

And I agree, messing about with the sear engagement on 99s is not generally a safe or encouraged experiment.