Mini 14 poor man's trigger job (easy)

[totalloser]

I looked at the mechanism, and it looked so easy to modify I decided to do it. The second sear has a spring that accounts for almost all the trigger tension, and by knocking the notch from .125" deep to .175" deep, it still has no room for the spring to poke out, but takes noticeable tension off the trigger pull.

Basic Dremel stuff if you have a steady hand. Clean up with sandpaper over a file. Noticeably lighter pull, not ridiculous. Probably not as light as a professional job, but still nice, and quite easy.

The pics show the second sear after deepening the notch. One with it apart, and one together. This 1 in 10 rifle 185 series shoots 2" groups consistently with open sights and a fairly good shooter behind it (but far from the best). I also shortened the barrel 1 5/8" which made no difference, I shot test groups before and after. I wish I had done before and after when I put on a Butler Creek synthetic stock, though, it seemed to help accuracy. Slings buckshot patterns with ss109's. Likes 55 grains.

 

[Unclenick]

Did you think of trying the Garand trigger job technique of filing the outside of the hammer hooks down? It increases the length of the first stage stroke, but reduces the amount of engagement left when the sear contacts the hammer. Don't try this if you haven't read up on it in detail. You may go too far and need to know how to undo it?

 

[totalloser]

Actually, I did do that. Usually it's recommended to do the secondary sear, but I shaved just a tad off both. I didn't mention it as I'm not sure it's the best advice for anyone who can't figure it out on their own. In short, I was afraid of being responsible for someone goofing up their gun. It's a great trick though.