m14 trigger job

J

Jmiverson

Regular
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Hey guys, is there anything I can do to make my trigger a bit better? Rifle is a Norc shorty with upgraded recoil spring, gas shims, spring guide. It seems like the hammer takes a lot of force to #### and almost binds. I would also like a pull weight around 3-4 lbs if possible. I am a machinist and am pretty good with a honing stone, but want your advice first.

Are there replacement trigger group parts I should look at? Thanks ahead for the help.
 
From what I have been able to gather a norc trigger group is not considered safe when the pull is reduced to much less than 5lbs. I can't confirm this from my own testing.
I took my trigger group apart and used wd40 and some disposable nail files to polish the Parkerizing off the sears and sides of the hammer and such, I was amazed at how much better the trigger feels. No grit at all, breaks really cleanly, and about 2000 rounds later I have had zero issues with it.
I believe a USGI trigger group can be tuned to the 4lb ish mark safely.
Hopefully 45acpking will chime in, he has done lots of trigger work and will be able to help you out better than I can.
 
Put down that dremel tool and that file! :D

Take some grease and lube up the hammer hooks and hammer sear engagement points. Now try the trigger... you will notice a big improvement. :)

Cheers,
Barney
 
Wouldn't bother unless you plan on changing the barrel too. An M305 isn't a target rifle. However, just changing the springs can give you a lighter trigger. A complete trigger job means changing the springs and polishing, not ever filing(and no rotary tools at all), the mating sear/hammer parts.
As mentioned, it's easy to go too light with this rifle. Part of the cause of "bump firing". Two rounds go bang under recoil. It's mostly from failing to follow through when shooting off a bench, but gloves and a light trigger can do it too.
 
Maybe I will change the barrel eventually... and I didnt mention a file either. Honing stone. Ya know the ones machinists use to maintain a cutting edge or ever so slighltly polish a bearing surface?
 
5Lbs is bare minimum and this is not just a suggestion.
US military shooting teams , with full armorer support and US govt spare parts bins, typically tune triggers to 4-4.5lbs BUT triggers were apparently rebuilt after every match.
I don't recommend the use of files, stones, lapping compounds ect.
If the Hungry/Tactical teacher welfare trigger job doesn't do it for ya
(Grease and manually activate for the duration of a NHL hockey game), have a professional tune it for you.
Don't mess around with stuff that can hurt you ;)
 
Thanks 45acp, I'll give the lube n work trick a go. I would say final pull weight is about 6lbs which isn't bad. Hopefully the hammer cocking gets a bit smoother.
 
Ya, valve grinding compound, LOL I really wouldn't do that.
Arm and hammer baking soda toothpaste? Sure, this will minimally polish the parkerized surfaces and clean up the feel a wee bit.
If we were dealing with a US made trigger group, where we assume tolerances and dimensions are true, explaining how to do a basic trigger job would be pretty straightforward. Polish the sears, relieve hammer hook drag at the wall, reduce trigger pull at the tips rear hooks or increase it at the spine ect ect
However.... Chinese trigger parts are a far cry from their US made counterparts.
The best average m14 owner can do is the basics to smoothen up how it feels.
Most out of box norcs have much better trigger "feel" after a few hundred rounds.
Or speed up that process with toothpaste and a hockey game
 
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