The two most accurate box-stock, factory firearms I have ever fired were both Browning B-78's. I own one of them, and a friend owns the other. I want another one (or several).

At a recent gun show, when I asked a professional gunsmith friend of mine if he had seen any displayed for sale, he advised me NOT to buy the 78, but to go with the 1885 High Wall. He said that the 78 had trigger problems, and that the factory would refuse delivery if sent in for work, and that the trigger was basically crap.

I went to another 'smith friends table, asked the same question, and got the same response !!! In 18 years of association with numerous B-78's, this is absolutely the first I have ever heard of this problem.

Neither could give me the specifics of the trigger problem, or how it could be remedied, other than replacing the whole trigger assembly with an aftermarket unit. When pressed, neither had actually worked on a 78 with the problem they told me of, just had heard about it, nor could they tell me who makes an aftermarket trigger for what would HAVE to be a VERY VERY VERY small market segment. Neither could tell me the difference between the 78 trigger and the 1885 trigger.

Will someone here please advise?

Hello,
This question comes up every so often. I have both types of the Browning falling block, the B78 and M1885. Nothing wrong with either type of trigger. Just the B78 was made to be adjusted with four screws and the 1885 only one. I have seen the B78 trigger adjusted to the point that it renders the half cock inoperable or it will not stay cocked safely. I think Browning has a great design with the M1885 sear/trigger setup. A lot fewer parts compared to the B78. And only if the factory does it part and fine tunes the sear,hammer,trigger properly. I had a M1885 in 7mm Rem Mag that had a great trigger. But another in .223rem has a little to much travel in it. As you will notice on the M1885, a pin has been installed through the action and trigger housing. It is pressed in very hard. This prevents shooters from removing the sear and grinding on it. In closing, the B78 is fine, it just has to be adjusted with great caution. With four screws to mess with, its easy to get lost. Just be sure to study what each adjustment does. That requires disassembly of the action. Not a good idea if you only have two hands. Hope this helps. Larry
P.S. Canjar makes an after market set trigger for the B78.

[ 04-06-2003, 10:12: Message edited by: Varminteer ]