30 October 2007, 05:22
boom stick
New Trigger
The most notable feature on the new Model 70 is its new trigger, one that is adjustable down to 3 pounds, though the triggers will come preset from the factory with a 3 3/4 pound pull. (If a heavier trigger pull is your thing you can set it to break up to a maximum of 5 pounds.)
The trigger itself is a simple thing, incorporating just three pieces. Winchester calls the trigger the M.O.A., rightly linking the need for a good performing rifle to have a good trigger, which the M.O.A. certainly is.
As the illustration shows, the actual trigger, called the “trigger piece†by Winchester, is a lever that bears against a pivot—or “actuatorâ€â€”that supports the sear, which in turn retains the firing pin. As the trigger pushes against the actuator, the actuator moves out of engagement with the sear. The sear then drops, allowing the firing pin to travel forward. Simple.
One benefit of this design is that there is zero takeup in the system. Likewise, while there is a certain amount of creep and overtravel—you need both for a mechanical trigger to function—the perception on the part of the shooter is that there is none. You get nothing but a clean break when you pull the trigger. This trigger feels very, very good. And for shooters who find the addition of safety levers to the trigger itself unsightly—a la Savage Arm’s AccuTrigger—the lines of the M.O.A. are neat and clean.
