Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Winchester 70 trigger adj.

For the last 25 years I have never adjusted a Mdl 70 trigger. I take them to a gunsmith friend and he sets up and surface grinds all the pertinent mating surfaces to the proper angle and resets tension and I have been happy. I actually don't own a trigger scale as weight of pull means absolutely nothing to me. It's all feel and I can't judge between 3 ounces and 3 pounds but I can tell crisp and clean every time.

Sounds like you're a smart man.

I apologise.. I honestly did not know you were a smith also.. And yes, zimhunter is a smart man..

However, your statement " Yes, I do this also...and I would not accept a trigger job without the complete rifle being sent to me...nor would I accept a customer who was too cheap to pay a buck or two more in shipping to do so. " infers the customer's too cheap.. Not the case.. I tell them I don't require the stock. It's their choice after that..

It's also your choice to do it your way.. No problem.. But you indicate that any other method (sans/stock) isn't correct and/or possible. In that, we disagree. Let's leave it at that...
BTW, there's a certain Colt specialist in CA that restores parts in obsolete Colt revolvers. I had him rebuild a trigger/sear set for a First Generation Colt. All he needed was the parts.. They came back in better-than-new condition, and worked perfectly..

What's your method of 'slam testing', if I may ask?

If you will note I said "I" wouldn't accept a trigger job without having the complete rifle. If you don't want or need it that's up to you and your customers.

As for "slam" tests...I smack the butt of the rifle against the hardest head I can find, and I think I just might have found a new one to use!

Just kidding.

Uh huh.. Well, us Norwegians are known for hard heads.. I use blocks of wood if the need arises. I think your head might be too soft.. (Just kidding, really)..


I was serious when I asked if you did this for a living.. I know some of the smiths here but not all by any means.. What do you specialize in?

I'm sure you know to be VERY careful doing a slam test with the stock.. Ever had one break?

In case it wasn't clear...the head I used to use was mine!

I try to "specialize" in getting the job done I guess.

Gotcha.. A worthy goal to be sure.. It's one of the reason I purposely keep my shop operations small; with little room I MUST get these projects done on a timely basis or I'm toast...

Best to you.

Regardless of whether I have the stock or not; before I do a typical "slam test", my rawhide mallet gets lots of opportunity on the receiver.
I started doing that procedure many years ago, after I had worked over a few triggers that survived the stock slam test, but didn't make it through a mallet test.

If it passes both, you are definitely good to go.

Exactly.. I never worry about breaking a stock that way also...

OK, that was an interesting series of posts/debate. How much to send a Pre 64 Model 70 264 Win Mag Westerner from Texas and have a good crisp trigger, no slack, no creep 2-3 lbs or so. Like Rick I want it to break clean when I want to shoot. A great trigger makes a great rifle. I can deal with grouping and most anything else that comes up. Triggers that go off on their on are too dangerous, thus I want a pro. When I lived in Houston I couls find someone to do this. East Texas is new to me. Gunsmiths that I have met up here were probably good tree trimmers or fair tractor mechanics. Probably have some around , but I have learned to ask here about most anything.
The people on this thread are the best , most honest and sometimes tough on us that ask stupid questions.
Send me a PM or answer on line. Anybody know what is a fair price? Loaded question, I know. Here it comes!!

PM sent...

Redneck
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Back at ya..

Redneck
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I sent my Pre-64 to Redneck (without the stock)for repairs.
All I got was first class service.
Quick turnaround and a fair price.

Y'all quit yer gripin' and tell me whether it's worth the effort, cost and time to remove an itsy bitsy tiny bit of creep from my 670a.

The rascal breaks beautifuly at about 3 pounds once that tiny bit of movement happens. My finger reads it every time. Still ...

Hey Guys,

I wanted to thank all of you for your comments and interesting debate. I have learned a lot about the M70 trigger. I have safely adjusted other M70's I have, but was unaware of the pittfals until I ran into this one. We learn by listening to those that have been there, and there are obviously men with talent on this thread.

art

A couple smiths in my area are good on triggers. My M70 heavy varmint is clean and crisp at 2#. These same fellows take the old Savage triggers military triggers, etc., to 1.5-2# with superb feel and function. Regardless of who does the work, an understanding of the mechanics and attention to detail is imperative. Nice thread here.

Redneck
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