1980's Lakefield MarkII trigger pull

[Mr. Jeffery]

Hello Gentlemen,
I have an old Lakefield MkII I bought back in the 80's. My very first rifle. Its 22 LR bolt action and I dont think I will part with it until I am .....

This rifle shoots pretty good for what it is. Always on the paper at 100 yds. and will produce groupings around 2 inches..

The problem that Ive come to think a lot about is how hard the trigger is to pull. Ive yanked up ling cod and halibuts that were easier to pull on than this rifles trigger....

Is there anything I can do to lighten it up some? I will disassemble it, photograph it and post the images. There is no adjustment on the rifle..Its a "nothing special" type of firearm usually bought as a kids first gun.. Like an old cooey.. Anyway...

Any thoughts , suggestions or ideas are, as always, very much appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[manicmechanic]

If you check Rimfire Central in the Savage section under facts and fixes for the shim trick - I understand it is supposed to work on the Lakefields as well - haven't had time to try it on Dad's mid 70's rifle yet..

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46774

Better explanation on YouTube - https://youtu.be/HBmd0BfPy8g

Good luck - Tom

 

[Mr. Jeffery]

Thqanks very much Tom.. Thats a step in the right direction..
I guess that Savage bought out lakefield at some point in time? I remember now going to cabellas ans seeing magazines that are nearly identical.... but not lakefields.. they were for savages..

similar to older marlin 1022 looking like a newer ruger 10/22

 

[Cgfns]

Thqanks very much Tom.. Thats a step in the right direction..
I guess that Savage bought out lakefield at some point in time? I remember now going to cabellas ans seeing magazines that are nearly identical.... but not lakefields.. they were for savages..

similar to older marlin 1022 looking like a newer ruger 10/22

I haven't seen a Marlin 1022. Do you have one?

 

[Mr. Jeffery]

yes i do.. Its actually called a 70HC. (my bad) but its the forerunner to the 10/22 If I recall correctly.

All this brand swapping reminds me of the Ford/mazda and Dodge /Hunyday/ mitsubishi cross overs that were everywhere in the late 90's early 2k's. Might still be that way. I dont know. dont care really. just sayin'

but yeah Marlin 70HC is the new 10/22

I may have this wrong.. I do know that this marlin is a near identical match to another semi auto 22 o there. I figured it was the 10/22. I bought this gun new in kamloops back in the early 90's. shortly thereafter it was discontinued a marlin no longer offered it. It was then offered by another gun co. and the two were very very similar and a magazine from one fit into the other. Even the bullets would interchange! LoL!!

 

[flyr]

Just watch out how much you shim it.
A bit too much and it will fire when bolt is closed or when trigger is pulled when safetied and safety is disengaged.
Don't ask.

 

[Klaus]

If you check Rimfire Central in the Savage section under facts and fixes for the shim trick - I understand it is supposed to work on the Lakefields as well - haven't had time to try it on Dad's mid 70's rifle yet..

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46774

Better explanation on YouTube - https://youtu.be/HBmd0BfPy8g

Good luck - Tom

I shimmed mine like this and it improved considerably.

If anyone ever has a bolt taken apart I'd love to see some upclose photos of the curved ramp section of the two bolt parts. Someone hacked mine up and the bolt release is very stiff.

 

[Mr. Jeffery]

Just watch out how much you shim it.
A bit too much and it will fire when bolt is closed or when trigger is pulled when safetied and safety is disengaged.
Don't ask.

Wont tell.

Thanks for that. I was aware. I will make sure i wont do something stupid like i was about to do before posting this thread. A shim is something you can back out of if it doenst work out.. what I had in mind... a completely different outcome... and I really didnt/dont want to ruin such a nice cheap gun.

 

[Mr. Jeffery]

I shimmed mine like this and it improved considerably.

If anyone ever has a bolt taken apart I'd love to see some upclose photos of the curved ramp section of the two bolt parts. Someone hacked mine up and the bolt release is very stiff.

I'll take some photos of mine in the day light. and post 'em up tomorrow. im not going to taek it apart tho.. I'll taek a whole bunch of photos at different angles and with the bold in open and closed state.

 

[flyr]

On a better note, I got the pull down to about 4# with a safety that worked correctly.
I ended up only shimming the rear.
I have the single shot lakefield MK1, which is quite accurate considering it's low cost.
Good luck with your MKII.

 

[Mr. Jeffery]

On a better note, I got the pull down to about 4# with a safety that worked correctly.
I ended up only shimming the rear.
I have the single shot lakefield MK1, which is quite accurate considering it's low cost.
Good luck with your MKII.

Thank you Sir. Its a great gun. I will attempt shimming tomorrow.

 

[Mr. Jeffery]

Success!
0.028" at the back and 0.015" up front. The trigger is FAR more lighter than it was 3 hours ago!

I still have some futzing to do as the safety does not quite engage as it should. If I put the safety on, and pull the trigger, the bolt slides forward about 0.030" and everything locks up. I cannot unsafe the gun nor can I pull the trigger any further. I must recock the bolt to get it all back to 1's. I know what do. its an easy fix. Now if only I could get rid of all the slop in the trigger itself. I have to turn new parts on the lathe to do that however... Maybe next week....

 

[Klaus]

I'll take some photos of mine in the day light. and post 'em up tomorrow. im not going to taek it apart tho.. I'll taek a whole bunch of photos at different angles and with the bold in open and closed state.

Thanks that would help a lot.