Posted: 10/5/2009 12:30:33 PM EDT
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Seems that a minimum 4.5# trigger is required for Service Rifle competition. How is this enforced? Is there a mandatory check at the match, or can you request to have it checked, or is it strictly an honor system?
If I were to purchase a trigger gauge that indicates my trigger is 4.6#, then a match official determines that it's 4.4# by his gauge, what happens...? Is there a gray area that isn't frowned upon? Forgive me please... I'm trying to learn about High Power, and the last thing I would want to do is violate the rules. Ignorance is no excuse, so that's why I'm asking. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks |
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I'm not sure if this is a universal practice, but what I've seen is that they test the winning rifles. They use a "scale" that amounts to a piece of bent rod that hooks on to the trigger, hammer cocked, with actual weights attached. The rifle is held muzzle-up and is raised up so that it lifts the weights off of the table. If the hammer doesn't drop, then you're good to go.
I think that at Camp Perry (never been there myself) they test every rifle, and then mark them with a piece of colored tape around the trigger guard. |
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The CMP matches I have been too they checked every rifle.
If you get a 'conventional' 2 stage trigger kit (multiple pieces, not a one piece 'drop in') adjusting the trigger spring is relatively easy and takes about 15 minutes if you have the tools handy. I had to adjust mine last year, off by about 4 ounces.  They do change over time.
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| Ar 920-30 will give you all the info. Yes, all sevice rifles are weighed and safety checked at Perry prior to the match. Colored tape is attached to the trigger guard upon passing inspection. The rifle must conform to the Tech Data Package specs of the particular weapon. It is the responsiblity of the competitor to ensure compliance. |
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Quoted:
Ar 920-30 will give you all the info. Yes, all sevice rifles are weighed and safety checked at Perry prior to the match. Colored tape is attached to the trigger guard upon passing inspection. The rifle must conform to the Tech Data Package specs of the particular weapon. It is the responsiblity of the competitor to ensure compliance. Sir, yes that's the way triggers are checked at Camp Perry. The weight device they use is pretty standard, they use actual weights for the purpose suspended from a hook shaped rod that is suspended from the trigger. The last time I looked Brownells had one for sale in their catalog for about $100. If the trigger breaks before the weight clears the ground it is to light. Yes it is the competitior's responsibility to ensure his trigger will "make weight". In matches other than leg matches most clubs assume those using service rifles have their triggers adjusted within the acceptable 4.5lbs but generally have no actual means to check triggers on the spot. In leg matches that I have shot in at places like Quantico, Butner, and Dam Neck you have your trigger weighed at match check in and the armorer initials a block on your score card before the match begins. Commercially available pull gages are not normally used for checking triggers due to the inherent variations that may occur. Personally if I intended to shoot in a leg match where they weighed my trigger with such a device I would dispute any finding that my trigger didn't make weight. I would dispute the calibration accuracy of the gage. JMHO, 7zero1. |
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Quoted:
Seems that a minimum 4.5# trigger is required for Service Rifle competition. How is this enforced? Is there a mandatory check at the match, or can you request to have it checked, or is it strictly an honor system? If I were to purchase a trigger gauge that indicates my trigger is 4.6#, then a match official determines that it's 4.4# by his gauge, what happens...? The service rifle trigger rules, just like other service rifle rules, are honor-system based. While the rule books (NRA & CMP) state that triggers must hold a certain weight the rules do not mandate that checks be made. Enforcement of these rules are at the discretion of tournament officials. As others have mentioned, some tournaments will have a match official check rifles but most do not. So you may go to one match and no one will check your trigger and then go to another match and someone will weigh it. If you want to really be sure of the weight of your trigger purchase an NRA weight set. Practically speaking there is no need to have your trigger weigh right at 4.5 pounds. You are much better off having a 5 pound trigger and avoiding the risk of the thing getting lighter on you during the course of the season. |
| FWIW My trigger has been weighed at every EIC (leg) match that I've attended at Perry, state and local clubs. A sticker was placed either on my trigger guard or side of the receiver to signify that my trigger made weight. The triggers were always checked with a set of weights not a gauge. Never had a service rifle trigger weighed at any NRA matches I've been to. |
| Club level CMP matches I've shot were hit or miss for checking trigger weight (maybe checked the winners, which you might sumise, I wasn't). Both State level CMP matches I shot checked the trigers and installed a seal on the trigger guard. They used a hook with scale weights suspended from the trigger. |