DIY Trigger Scale

[spankie2.0]

Here's a low/no cost way to test your trigger pull without buying a $60 digital trigger gauge that you'll probably seldom use.



What you need:

• A way to hold the firearm. Here I used a couple of spring clamps to hold it to the bench. Your wife will do.
• Stiff wire to make a sling that goes over the trigger and holds the weights.
• Weight, I used old weights from a scuba weight belt and fishing sinkers. Your wife will not do.
• A scale to weigh the total weight after testing. Graduated in pounds and ounces. Your bathroom scale won't work. If it does........... buy a new gun.

Just use what ever you got.



Use stiff wire and bend the sling out away from the stock or grip. You do not want it to contact the gun. It will affect the pull weight. Initially I used string which rubbed the sides of the grip. It increased the pull by over apound.

Start by hanging the larger weights on the sling first (2-4 lb). Then add the smaller ones until you get it to break (1-4 oz). Once you find the breaking weight, double check it. Re-test, adding and removing the last ounce or two a few more times. Take the weights off the sling and weigh them on the scale. That's your trigger pull weight.

The sequence of steps used for testing will vary depending on the mechanics of the firearm being tested. In the case of the AR15 and most semi-autos, leave the sling on the trigger, charge the handle to cock, then lift the sling enough to allow reset. Slowly and gently lower the sling back onto the trigger.

With a bolt gun, move the sling off the trigger and rest it in the trigger guard. Then rotate the bolt to cock.



The position of the wire sling on the trigger bow will affect the break. Try to place in the same spot each test otherwise it will drive you crazy.

[MUKAK]

nice

[MarikinaMan]

8 bucks and a little fabrication will get ya a digi scale. Yer device works too.

http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Balance-Digital-Fishing-Hanging/dp/B00B301MPI/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1455502988&sr=8-10&keywords=digital+scale+hanging

[sovereign2b]

Nice ghetto method. We use a luggage scale before we hit the airport, so I'll give that a try - and I'll use the wife to hold the gun.

[spankie2.0]

[spankie2.0]

I just replaced a Geissele G2S with a Super Tricon. Both are basically Geissele SSA's.

The Tricon has a hybrid bow that combines the curved upper of the SSA and the flat/straight lower of the Super Dynamic. The idea is that moving your finger toward the tip of the trigger increases leverage and lightens the "feel" of the release. You might place your finger there for a more precise shot.

Using my "ghetto" trigger scale I measured the pull at the middle of the bow and nearer the tip. I also measured the weight it took to "set" the 1st stage. I stuck masking tape on the trigger and marked it so I would be able to place the wire sling in the exact same spot.




This is my results.
chart 1.jpg

I wanted to see how accurate and repeatable my trigger scale is so a week later I re-did the test.
chart 2.jpg

A 2 ounce variance is way better than what I've seen on videos of guys using their $60 digital scales.

[FeuerFrei]

Good DYI thinking on this OP!

Other easy stuff to use as weights are... 5 quarters about = 1 oz ... 1 pint of liquid = 1 lb.
Fill a plastic bag with 4 or five water bottles and add your quarters by stacks of 5.

[spankie2.0]

[RGMoore]

I've used a similar method but used a small plastic jar and poured sand in for weight. Cheaper than quarters!