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Winchester Model 54 Trigger

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07 November 2018, 22:10
Clemson
Winchester Model 54 Trigger
Does anyone know who may make a replacement trigger for the Winchester Model 54? I called Timney, but they don't make that one. My alternate is to work over the factory trigger, but I would prefer to replace it.

Bill Jacobs


NRA Endowment Member
US Army Veteran
CWP Holder
Gunsmith
07 November 2018, 23:51
Duane Wiebe (CG&R)
Take this for what it's worth....I have heard (As in not confirmed) that a M70 trigger can be fitted..however the bolt stop must be changed out

And...apparently G@H did some magic to those 54 triggers..might give them a call just for giggles
08 November 2018, 00:56
Bill Leeper
First off, I like two stage triggers and my Model 54 breaks crisp at 3 pounds even. I did not like the trigger as a bolt stop so I filled in the notch in the bolt and fitted a Mauser bolt stop (sans ejector). Used a Wisner safety.
If one is going to retro-fit some other trigger, it almost doesn't matter what trigger it is. Whatever it is, you'll be drilling some holes. Regards, Bill
08 November 2018, 01:37
Duane Wiebe (CG&R)
If I remember..the bottom of the action was milled out just about identical to the M-70..so using a Mauser trigger, for instance would be an exercise in futility

Frank De Haas mentioned Canjar USED to make one and his book shows how he hand made an adjustable trigger

have fun!
08 November 2018, 03:13
Bill Leeper
It is milled out sort of like a Model 70 and it is probably possible to fit a Model 70 trigger to it you would really have to want to do it. A mauser trigger would be a pain but a Springfield or Enfield trigger might be easy enough. I don't feel like taking mine out of the stock to look at what would have to be done. By the way, I also drilled a new hole for the front guard screw on mine so I could use Model 70 bottom metal. Regards, Bill
08 November 2018, 06:16
J Wisner
This is one of those OMG, yes it can be done BUT.

In by gone years ago I modifed several of M54 action into M70 triggers.

The first and formost thing, if the action is the old slow lock, then forget it.

If the action is the later speed lock then OK, the cocking cam and firing pin nose are the same as the M70 and things will line up.

If I had to do it all over, I would put in a Timney trigger unit for the M70. You will have to make shims to go on both sides of the new trigger unit since the slot in the receiver is wider for the M54 sear. The nose of the M70 sear is at an angle while the sear face of the M54 firing pin is 90 degrees, so some rework and fitting there is needed. I had made several new firing pins when I was doing these converisons, but no longer have any.

BUT you have no bolt stop now, most guys were simply buying a Ruger M77 bolt stop and milling the left side of the receiver to properly place the new bolt stop.

Again one of those yes it could be done BUT, If the old parts ( sear and firing pin ) have been monkeyed with, then you may be up a creek.

J Wisner
09 November 2018, 05:49
Bill Leeper
My original plan was to use a Ruger bolt stop but I decided the Mauser stop was more attractive. I welded a stud on the receiver to attach the stop.
I got the 54 in trade (typically, I came out on the short end) and had to do something with it. Regards, Bill
11 November 2018, 14:19
Singleshotlover
I have a canjar trigger that is for the Model 70. In using it in the mod 70 action you will have to open up the inletting a bit and open up the trigger guard slot and that should be it. I tried it on my model 54 action with the trigger guard removed. With the mod 54 cocking piece it will get trapped by the sear on the trigger. The only solution I'm aware of is get a mod 70 cocking piece and possibly make up a new srtriker rod like the original mod 70 so the Canjar trigger ( single set trigger) can be used.Think I got that part right. Frank
17 November 2018, 09:05
Atkinson
Its pretty easy to get used to the two stage slack, and the 54 trigger..I really like the 54s..especially the carbine..


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com