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Bushmaster AR Trigger Job?

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18 June 2001, 09:38
<PowderBurns>
Bushmaster AR Trigger Job?
Bushmaster AR, std. trigger.

Two problems: the trigger spring is too heavy, and the sear engagement is too broad, resulting in a long, heavy pull. Nonetheless, it's fairly smooth. I don't think polishing would improve the engagement. Anybody sell a lighter trigger spring?

It'd be a simple matter to machine a set-screw into the trigger piece, like the JP Enterprises trigger. Then I could adjust sear engagement.

Comments?

17 June 2001, 22:48
<Don G>
PowderBurns,

Only one place to send the AR for a trigger. Compass Lake Engineering Frank White makes a kit that has carbide inserts where they are needed. (If you don't do that the trigger job won't last.) Last time I looked he'd sell you the kit installed for $90. I forget what the bare kit costs, but he sells it that way, too. I had him install it, as I wanted him to test the upper (he was making) and the lower (I supplied) together. Turn around was 3-4 weeks as advertised.

I also got a Krieger-barreled upper from him. The thing shot a .5 inch ten shot group at 100 yards the first group. Second was .6. It is not picky about it's load at all, and has never shot a ten shot group over an inch from the sandbags.

I can't say enough good about Frank or CLE.

Don

18 June 2001, 03:53
<Bill>
I purchased the bushmaster match trigger a while back, and while I was pleased with the results all of the fine trigger adjustments with small allen screw seemed out of place in a military style gun.
18 June 2001, 06:35
<PowderBurns>
quote:
Originally posted by Bill:
I purchased the bushmaster match trigger a while back, and while I was pleased with the results all of the fine trigger adjustments with small allen screw seemed out of place in a military style gun.

Yeah, $120. The Bushmaster trigger is easy to install. As for "out of place" I think no more out of place than the floating barrel, no sights, no flash suppressor/bayo lug, flat-top mounted Redfield scope . . .

The pistol grip is secured with an allen screw.

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18 June 2001, 07:03
Gatogordo
Bill:

Well, I guess it depends on where you are going to use the weapon. I have 2 accurized 15s and both have trigger jobs. And both will shoot well below one inch groups all day long, if I said how much below you might not believe me. Perfect for plinking, prairie dogs and other varmints. But neither one is one I would choose for an active duty weapon because of the tolerances etc. Let's not forget that the 98 Mauser is a military weapon and it is made into some very civilized rifles. And with some few exceptions, accurized 15s will outshoot them anytime. Beauty is in the eye of the shooter, I suppose.

18 June 2001, 07:22
<Bill>
I just have a hard time looking at an AR as anything other then a service weapon, must be that Marine in me.
18 June 2001, 10:07
<PowderBurns>
quote:
Originally posted by Bill:
I just have a hard time looking at an AR as anything other then a service weapon, must be that Marine in me.

Ya oughta try one with a floated bbl. flat top, decent scope, Jewell trigger . . . It'd never pass inspection.

18 June 2001, 19:21
Tom F
The AR can be an extremely accurate rifle. If the ultimate, you can taylor it to any way you want trigger is your goal, the Jewell is as good as they get. It is a fine piece of equipment, adjustable from bench rest lightness all the way to and beyond High-Power requirments. Anything else is just "almost as good".
19 June 2001, 01:33
<Gary Rihn>
quote:
Originally posted by Tom F:
the Jewell is as good as they get. It is a fine piece of equipment, adjustable from bench rest lightness all the way to and beyond High-Power requirments. Anything else is just "almost as good".

That is, if you like a two-stage trigger. I have a Jewell in one, a JP in another. In some situations, the JP gets the nod.

I use the Jewell in long range, slow fire matches, and for varmints.

For High-Power, with rapid fire strings, I prefer the JP. No slack to take up, hesitate, and fire.
When I apply pressure, the rifle fires when the trigger moves. Works much better for me at least.


19 June 2001, 06:39
<PowderBurns>
I had a JP in my first AR (which I returned to the dealer). It was OK, but the tension was not adjustable. You had to settle for the pre-set spring tension of about 3.5 lbs. Lots of $$$ to pay in order to adjust over-travel and reduce let-off.

Can anyone tell me more about the Bushmaster factory two-stage comp. trigger? I see from the catalog that the adjustments for let-off and over-travel are affixed to the safety lever.

I'm assuming the 1st stage is merely take-up and that it's possible to pull the trigger in a single movement rather than having to set the first stage and then release the second stage. Seems to have what I'm looking for. I don't need a two oz let-off.

Thanks

19 June 2001, 16:04
<Don G>
On Frank White's trigger the "two stage" is as you describe. I thought Bushmaster sold it, but theirs is different.

You can read about Frank's (with pictures) at the Compass Lake site given above. It is fully adjustable in all dimensions. I like it a lot.

Don

[This message has been edited by Don G (edited 06-19-2001).]