Pre-64 M70 trigger

28 February 2021, 19:38

Doublegun

Pre-64 M70 trigger

Picked up a really nice pre-64 featherweight. 3006 built in 56. Gun is in original condition shows honest wear. It’s definitely been well cared for. The only issue I have is the trigger. It’s really heavy. Watching YouTube videos, it doesn’t seem to difficult to lighten it up a bit by backing off other two nuts or replacing the spring with a new one.

Pull has to be ~ 6-lbs now, I’d like to get it down to a crisp 2.5-3 lbs. What is the best way to get this done?

Thanks,

JDG

28 February 2021, 20:16

rcraig

I used one of these :

https://www.mcarbo.com/winches...gger-spring-kit.aspx

worked well.

28 February 2021, 20:29

dpcd

From my experience, they do not need new spring; you need to adjust the one you have. I never had one that would not go to 3 pounds. However, adjusting such things should not be done by some people; not saying the OP is one of them at all. It also has to hold the sear in place if you drop it. Sort of important.

28 February 2021, 20:51

Duane Wiebe (CG&R)

I installed a Timney a few weeks ago..Damn simple and VERY nice 2.5 lb consistent pull.

Whole lot easier than dinking around with the original. If you're on the clock, actual cost might be about the same

28 February 2021, 20:52

Doublegun

quote:
Originally posted by dpcd:
From my experience, they do not need new spring; you need to adjust the one you have. I never had one that would not go to 3 pounds. However, adjusting such things should not be done by some people; not saying the OP is one of them at all. It also has to hold the sear in place if you drop it. Sort of important.

Yeah, that’s probably the smartest and safest bet. I tend to underestimate my abilities but thus is one job I don’t mind handing off to a professional and while he’s at it he might do any other maintenance and he sees. It’s a 65-year old rifle that does not appear to have been messed with by an amateur like me so why start now?

Jay

28 February 2021, 22:14

dpcd

A Timney trigger on a Model 70?
I can't even grasp the concept. Sacrilege.
Sorry DW!

01 March 2021, 02:31

Duane Wiebe (CG&R)

Oh well..I put aftermarket triggers in Mausers all the time

01 March 2021, 03:06

Jim Kobe

Send me the old one, please

01 March 2021, 03:25

dpcd

Mausers; of course we put Timneys in them. Funny, I did two today and the triggers were too long; had to grind them off. Sorry, OP, nothing to do with M70s. Keep the one you have.

01 March 2021, 04:54

Doublegun

Just to be clear, I never ask about replacing the trigger, I ask about replacing the trigger spring or adjusting it to lighten the the trigger.

01 March 2021, 06:07

dpcd

We know; DW was just offering a fool proof alternative.

01 March 2021, 21:08

Duane Wiebe (CG&R)

DP...I thought I might sneak. that one past you!

The old rule comes to play "Man wants a blue suit, turn on the blue lights"

02 March 2021, 04:39

Hipshoot

Stupid question? I adjusted the trigger on my post 64 Win. M70 a while back and now lately I can't activate the safety at all. It moves a little but wont move to the middle or full safe position. It was always a little hard to activate.
I did find a metal pin sticking out under the bolt shroud which I think is a piece of the pin that holds on the rear (striker?) cap.
Any ideas?

Thanx!
Hip

02 March 2021, 04:46

ssdave

OP, you're on the right track to have a competent person adjust the original. One of the best and most dependable hunting triggers ever made.

To the off topic trigger replacement sidetrack: Expensive, but good; I've put the model 70 style triggers into my mausers, along with the 3 position model 70 style safety shrouds. After awhile, even this dim bulb began to see the light; I'd be much better off just starting with a pre-64 model 70...... Ducking to avoid the incoming!

02 March 2021, 04:48

ssdave

quote:
Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
DP...I thought I might sneak. that one past you!

The old rule comes to play "Man wants a blue suit, turn on the blue lights"

The guy paying is always right, after you've offered him the educated opinion and he declines, and is willing to pay for his way.

02 March 2021, 05:16

Doublegun

Several years ago I was in a local gun ship when a guy walked in and put an absolutely spectacular 20 ga Parker DHE on the counter. I’ve had my hands on a lot of Parker’s and that 20 was a beautiful example and all original. Anyway, the gun belonged to his grandfather and he wanted to keep it but render it safe to hang above the mantle. He ask the smith to weld the action shut. Smith looked at me and the guy and pleaded with
Him not to do it but the guy was persistent and so it was done. Made me sick and I suspect it had the same effect on the smith.

02 March 2021, 05:32

Atkinson

I guess IM just old fashion, well old anyway but I believe the pre 64 m0d 70 trigger is the best trigger in the world on a hunting rifle,and good enough for me on any mod. 70, even the target rifles..Maybe not old fashion just old and out of fashion...

02 March 2021, 20:43

Duane Wiebe (CG&R)

quote:
Originally posted by Doublegun:
Several years ago I was in a local gun ship when a guy walked in and put an absolutely spectacular 20 ga Parker DHE on the counter. I’ve had my hands on a lot of Parker’s and that 20 was a beautiful example and all original. Anyway, the gun belonged to his grandfather and he wanted to keep it but render it safe to hang above the mantle. He ask the smith to weld the action shut. Smith looked at me and the guy and pleaded with
Him not to do it but the guy was persistent and so it was done. Made me sick and I suspect it had the same effect on the smith.

Sickening! Just a little imagination could have saved the gun and still make it inoperable

02 March 2021, 21:28

Doublegun

Exactly.

03 March 2021, 01:22

Duane Wiebe (CG&R)

quote:
Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
Send me the old one, please

Nope...advised client those parts are selling for $50-160.00. if he ever wants to sell them.

Truth is..I have no issue with the Timney replacement other that the shape of the lever.

BTW I see a Canjar for sale on "Pre 64 Win" for $300.00...personally wouldn't give a Nickle for one.

03 March 2021, 02:09

Doublegun

I sold a pre-64 M70 a few years ago (still regret doing that) and the trigger pull was not memorable in the sense that I never had to think about it - it just felt right. The point is I never considered it a problem and I expect this one to be the same way. There is now way that I will replace it, but I think I would like it a little lighter. I trust the judgement of the smith I use and if he tells me it's good the way it is, that's the way it will stay.

03 March 2021, 06:06

devere

mr. doublegun: I own 5 pre-64 M70s that I've used for hunting now for many years. Some hunts have been on my own property, and others in numerous states. Each has a factory trigger that breaks between 3-4 pounds. For shooting off the bench for groups, something like a Canjar which would probably be able to be adjusted lighter, could be an slight advantage. However from the standpoint of reliability and "feel" in the hunting fields, I just don't know how you could get anything any better.

03 March 2021, 09:34

rcraig

quote:
Originally posted by Doublegun:
I sold a pre-64 M70 a few years ago (still regret doing that) and the trigger pull was not memorable in the sense that I never had to think about it - it just felt right. The point is I never considered it a problem and I expect this one to be the same way. There is now way that I will replace it, but I think I would like it a little lighter. I trust the judgement of the smith I use and if he tells me it's good the way it is, that's the way it will stay.

So if your smith tells you it's good the way it is at "~6-lbs" you're good to go with that ? It's your rifle, not his.

03 March 2021, 16:55

crshelton

My 1953 M70 Fwt .308 seemed to have a little resistance just before let off when shooting from a bench rest. An hour with and Arkansas stone cured that and it has held at 4 pounds ever since. That was sometime back in the early 1970s.

All my centerfire rifles have the trigger pull set at 4 pounds + or - and a tad. Even my Miroku 1886 45-90, which had an 11 pound pull when new.

03 March 2021, 17:02

p dog shooter

quote:
All my centerfire rifles have the trigger pull set at 4 pounds + or - and a tad. Even my Miroku 1886 45-90, which had an 11 pound pull when new

A 4lbs trigger is a good weight on a big game rifle

07 March 2021, 02:22

Bill Leeper

quote:
Originally posted by Hipshoot:
Stupid question? I adjusted the trigger on my post 64 Win. M70 a while back and now lately I can't activate the safety at all. It moves a little but wont move to the middle or full safe position. It was always a little hard to activate.
I did find a metal pin sticking out under the bolt shroud which I think is a piece of the pin that holds on the rear (striker?) cap.
Any ideas?

Thanx!
Hip

Since your safety always engaged with some difficulty, it is likely the slight changes in trigger engagement allowed the striker to move ahead slightly so that the safety will no longer engage. The cure is to stone the face of the notch in the striker. Go too far though, and the safety will be anything but. The pin you describe does indeed retain the shroud on the cocking piece.
The work required to get your safety to function as it should is somewhat beyond a simple adjustment and it may be best to have the work done by one familiar with the job. Regards, Bill

07 March 2021, 04:27

Hipshoot

Thanks for the reply Bill ! The pin I found was indeed part of the pin holding on the cocking piece shroud. A 1/8" piece was still holding the shroud on.
I made a new pin out of an old drill bit.

Hip