Someone asked about trigger weight,so here goes some things about triggers and trigger techniques....
Shotguns aren't famous for great triggers, the way Pre-64 Model 70 rifles are. After all, we just slap them, right?
Care to wager that guy on the trap range with the 100 straight patches on his vest just slaps any ol' trigger any ol' way? Also, would you care to bet his trigger runs, heavy, gritty and uneven?
My guess is 90% of the shotguns out there have triggers too heavy and gritty for best work.
But, let's start with technique.ENSURE YOUR SHOTGUN IS UNLOADED, LEAVE THE ROOM WITH THE AMMO IN IT, and mount your shotgun.
Snap caps are a good idea here...
With a proper grip, your index finger should fall on the trigger between the first joint crease and the absolute tip.
The closer to the tip, the better.And the closer to the tip of the trigger,not the center, the better also. Let the leverage work for you.Squeeze straight back. Practice this a bit at home and remember it the next time you go to the range.You may be going against decades of poor technique, so concentrate and do not relapse. You want a fast, controlled squeeze, not a jerk. Shoot this way until you're tired, and quit. A few sessions like this should show improvement in your scores.Why? Consistency....
Now the hardware...
First, let's hope your smith knows shotgun triggers. Most shotgun mechanisms differ from their rifle equivalents, and some so-called smiths can $%^&* up a shotgun PDQ. What you want is a clean trigger of moderate weight with no overtravel.
Often, major improvement can be made just by a thorough disassembly, cleaning and lubing. Just like many shotgun bbls are over cleaned, most action areas are undercleaned.
If that doesn't do the job, ask the smith to get a clean, safe trigger of no more than 4 lbs, no less than 2 1/2. The Brits preach that a trigger should run 50% of gun weight, plus a half lb for the second trigger on a double, but I dislike triggers over 4 lbs.
So, we now have good technique, and our triggers have been honed to a fine,crisp pull. Is there anything else we can do in this area?
Consider a trigger shoe. The larger area in contact means that the pull FEELS lighter, and it's easier to find a consistent break point. The 870TB trap gun here has one, and it's a delight...
Shotguns aren't famous for great triggers, the way Pre-64 Model 70 rifles are. After all, we just slap them, right?
Care to wager that guy on the trap range with the 100 straight patches on his vest just slaps any ol' trigger any ol' way? Also, would you care to bet his trigger runs, heavy, gritty and uneven?
My guess is 90% of the shotguns out there have triggers too heavy and gritty for best work.
But, let's start with technique.ENSURE YOUR SHOTGUN IS UNLOADED, LEAVE THE ROOM WITH THE AMMO IN IT, and mount your shotgun.
Snap caps are a good idea here...
With a proper grip, your index finger should fall on the trigger between the first joint crease and the absolute tip.
The closer to the tip, the better.And the closer to the tip of the trigger,not the center, the better also. Let the leverage work for you.Squeeze straight back. Practice this a bit at home and remember it the next time you go to the range.You may be going against decades of poor technique, so concentrate and do not relapse. You want a fast, controlled squeeze, not a jerk. Shoot this way until you're tired, and quit. A few sessions like this should show improvement in your scores.Why? Consistency....
Now the hardware...
First, let's hope your smith knows shotgun triggers. Most shotgun mechanisms differ from their rifle equivalents, and some so-called smiths can $%^&* up a shotgun PDQ. What you want is a clean trigger of moderate weight with no overtravel.
Often, major improvement can be made just by a thorough disassembly, cleaning and lubing. Just like many shotgun bbls are over cleaned, most action areas are undercleaned.
If that doesn't do the job, ask the smith to get a clean, safe trigger of no more than 4 lbs, no less than 2 1/2. The Brits preach that a trigger should run 50% of gun weight, plus a half lb for the second trigger on a double, but I dislike triggers over 4 lbs.
So, we now have good technique, and our triggers have been honed to a fine,crisp pull. Is there anything else we can do in this area?
Consider a trigger shoe. The larger area in contact means that the pull FEELS lighter, and it's easier to find a consistent break point. The 870TB trap gun here has one, and it's a delight...