The Timney trigger I put on my Howa .223 Varminter seemed OK at first, but now feels a bit heavy. I broke out and followed the instructions on adjustment, but it seemed like I had to move the screw out quite a bit (1/8 in. at least) to get any appreciable difference in the trigger; smaller adjustments seemed to have little or no effect. I don't own a trigger gauge, so this is all by feel. Haven't take the rifle out to try it yet, but I wanted see if those of you who know this trigger can tell me if that much adjustment sounds right. The instructions warn against setting below 1.5 lbs (comes set at 3 lbs. from the factory) at the risks of slam fires. How best to proceed? TIA.
Timney trigger adjustment
- Thread starter jhansman
- Start date
One of the very first things I would do is to CLEAN this trigger mechanism.. Some use "Brake-cleaner" (non-bleach), some use Naptha (lighter fluid). See if that doesn't settle it down. How many rounds have you shot since the installation?... Whoa you really won't know How many lbs. she's at until you get a trigger-pull guage, wheeler makes a good one. You might even take it to a Smith to get the right adjustment.
Have not had it out to the range yet, as I don't want to load it until I have some sense that it's safe. The mechanism itself feels OK, but whenever I am unsure, I err on the side of safety (well, usually 
). I guess the thing to do is run some dummy rounds through it and see how it performs. Just wondered if anyone was familiar with the Timney adjustment.
). I guess the thing to do is run some dummy rounds through it and see how it performs. Just wondered if anyone was familiar with the Timney adjustment.warbirdlover
New member
I had one many years ago and it didn't take much adjusting to change the pull weight on mine.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
"...OK at first, but now feels a bit heavy."
Suggested sequence: Go back to the starting-point adjustment, after cleaning with some sort of brake cleaner or whatever and then lightly oiling.
Slam the bolt home strongly on an empty chamber. Do a "bump test" by dropping the butt onto the floor from about a foot up.
"A pint's a pound, the world around." If you don't have a spring scale, creative bending of a coat hanger, an empty 1/2-gallon milk jug and a measuring cup from the kitchen will put you in business to weigh the trigger pull.
16 fluid ounces is about a pound; 24 to the 1.5 pounds, etc.--so you're now on your own. Just add measured amounts until it goes "click".
Adjust and re-weigh until you're satisfied.
Suggested sequence: Go back to the starting-point adjustment, after cleaning with some sort of brake cleaner or whatever and then lightly oiling.
Slam the bolt home strongly on an empty chamber. Do a "bump test" by dropping the butt onto the floor from about a foot up.
"A pint's a pound, the world around." If you don't have a spring scale, creative bending of a coat hanger, an empty 1/2-gallon milk jug and a measuring cup from the kitchen will put you in business to weigh the trigger pull.
16 fluid ounces is about a pound; 24 to the 1.5 pounds, etc.--so you're now on your own. Just add measured amounts until it goes "click".
Adjust and re-weigh until you're satisfied.