AR-10 Safety/Trigger Question

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Hello All,

I have built an AR-10 from an 80% lower. I did the milling work myself, and got the gun built. It's not the first 80% I've built, the others were AR-15's. I've used the same safety & trigger in my rifles, and not had this issue.

I'm using an Elftmann trigger and an Elftmann cross-bore safety.

I was running through some dry firing to make sure everything was working properly. While doing that, I realized that I was able to place the rifle on safe after the trigger was pulled, but the BCG had NOT been charged.

That seemed strange to me, as the same setup in my AR-15's will not allow the rifle to be placed on safe until AFTER the BCG had been charged.

I'm going to swap triggers and safety's around this evening to see if I can replicate/remedy the issue by placing the parts in one of my 15's.

I'm hoping it's not an issue with the milling work I did, I was very meticulous during that process. I'm curious if anyone here has seen an issue similar to this in the past and how you might have remedied it.

I've tried calling Elftmann direct, but their line just rings to a voicemail box.

I appreciate any help in advance!

[bfoosh006]

Did you follow the install directions completely ? ( No offense, just asking )

And don't fire it until you know the DISCONNECT and safety are 100%....( if the disconnect isn't working.. EVERYONE will know real fast ! )

http://www.elftactical.com/installation-guides-triggers-safety

And FAQ's from their webpage..

http://www.elftactical.com/faq

[edgerly779]

Remove upper from lower and check if safety/disconnect functions. Hand cock it and put pice of cardboard or thin plastic between hammer and inside of fcg area behind magwell as dry firing protector.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Thank you both for the quick responses. I followed the install instructions very closely, but will try again tonight.

While cycling the bolt, I was testing reset as well as a second trigger pull. It has a very crisp reset, and the second trigger pull seems to work as it should. Maybe I'm missing something, but that tells me the disconnect is working properly.

I will tinker around some more this evening.

[edgerly779]

Sounds OK but put single round and test fire several times to be safe. Justto be sure measure depth of fire control area from top of lower to verify reset depth for hammer/trigger/fcg function. (MEASURE MANy TIMES BUT MAKE IT RIGHT BEFORE FIRING) Good luck I am on my 7th 80% er. Not counting the few I f'ed up. Cutters coming lose, mismeasurements, trying to make my own jig (DUMB THING TO DO) I use TM jigs. Nate builds a good product.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I used a 5D Tac jig. Really liked how efficiently it worked.

I pulled the upper off, and went through the trigger operation. Disconnect is working as it should. With gun off safe, pull the trigger and it fires. With trigger still depressed, the disconnector catches the hammer. Release the trigger and hammer returns to the cocked position. Do the same thing without keeping the trigger depressed and hammer goes back to the cocked position. All works as it should there.

I think I identified the culprit. I pulled the trigger & safety out, reinstalled step by step per linked instructions and I don't think I tightened the set screws on the trigger in the previous installation. I can also see that the diameter of the hole for the safety on the right side of the gun is just ever-so-slightly too big (I'd say by the width of a gnats *** hair or so). Because this safety moves horizontally rather than a rotating motion, that slight play was allowing the safety to push up & over the rear tang of the trigger.

That coupled with the set screws not being set was just enough to let the safety move to safe with the hammer in the fire position. Now that the set screws are providing the proper tension, the safety catches the trigger properly while the hammer is in the fire position. The safety has more play than I'd like, but it looks like it's functioning correctly now.

I will run one round at a time when I go to break it in this weekend and see how it reacts.