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TC Hawken Set Trigger Spring Tension

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mtsage

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This is a question specifically about the rear trigger (set trigger) on the TC Hawken double trigger. I picked up a 45 cal TC Hawken recently and the rear trigger is very ,very hard to pull to set the front trigger. Looking at the Trigger Assembly diagram is it the "Set Trigger Spring Screw" item #70 on the diagram that you would adjust to lessen the tension on the rear (set trigger). I have cleaned up the trigger assy. BTW. I did a search before posting this question so if anybody knows of a posting on this subject please link me to it. Thanks
 
I tried what Mr. Coffin suggested and it worked on all of my TC rifles. If I remember right you screw the screw in until trigger fires with hammer already down, then back out one full turn. That made my triggers just right. Might want to look into this further because I might have it backwards. Seems that method helped both triggers.
 
Here are a couple of helpful posts (screenshots below) the unnamed on was done by smo.
 

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This is a question specifically about the rear trigger (set trigger) on the TC Hawken double trigger. I picked up a 45 cal TC Hawken recently and the rear trigger is very ,very hard to pull to set the front trigger. Looking at the Trigger Assembly diagram is it the "Set Trigger Spring Screw" item #70 on the diagram that you would adjust to lessen the tension on the rear (set trigger). I have cleaned up the trigger assy. BTW. I did a search before posting this question so if anybody knows of a posting on this subject please link me to it. Thanks
I'm not sure of the numbered items in the diagram, so I have copied a picture of @bubba.50's triggers that he had for sale.
1656096364217.png

At the rear of the lock is a very strong spring that provides the energy to drive the set trigger lever as it strikes the sear once the front trigger releases it. Often that spring is tightened too tight making the rear trigger hard to set as it must overcome the spring tension. Back that screw off a turn until the force to set the rear trigger is acceptable. Then try the triggers in the lock mortise to test that the rear trigger has the force to release the sear from the full cock notch.

Once you have good pressure, then the screw between the triggers can be adjusted for the amount of letoff is needed to release the set trigger lever.
 
I'm not sure of the numbered items in the diagram, so I have copied a picture of @bubba.50's triggers that he had for sale.
View attachment 146148
At the rear of the lock is a very strong spring that provides the energy to drive the set trigger lever as it strikes the sear once the front trigger releases it. Often that spring is tightened too tight making the rear trigger hard to set as it must overcome the spring tension. Back that screw off a turn until the force to set the rear trigger is acceptable. Then try the triggers in the lock mortise to test that the rear trigger has the force to release the sear from the full cock notch.

Once you have good pressure, then the screw between the triggers can be adjusted for the amount of letoff is needed to release the set trigger lever.
Thank you. Exactly the answer I was hoping. And I did make an adjustment to the screw holding the spring down. I backed it out 1/4 turn and made it too a poundage on the set trigger that was acceptable. Case closed
 
In the first photograph the arrow is pointing at the screw that will adjust the amount of tension on the rear trigger. You can back this screw off to reduce the amount of force to ‘set’ the trigger, but you still need enough tension or force to trip the sear lever on the lock. Once you have found the minimum force required (trial and error adjustment of the screw), tighten the screw a half to a full turn (safety margin). Confirm it is still satisfactory, and then you may want to lock it in place with something like nail polish (I use red so I can easily see it). Make sure the trigger is fully lock into place in the stock when testing its function. If it is lose or out of position it will perform different.
1655416622420.jpeg


To adjust the ‘hair’ trigger, with trigger assembly out of the gun, set the trigger and turn the screw between the triggers until the trigger pops. Then back off the screw a minimum of a half turn, though I would suggest a full turn for safety reasons. Lock in place with nail polish.
1655417142073.jpeg
 
IdahoLewis also has a great video regarding set triggers
Unfortunately, the Idaholewis video on set triggers I found shows a great way to DAMAGE your SEAR and/or TUMBLER. He follows the old TC instructions to dry fire the triggers with the gun at half cock. I have seen a number of broken tumblers and sears over the years, and many times it came from dry firing while at half cock.

Talked to a former TC engineer and he told me TC was aware of the gaffe, but decided to repair guns until the spares ran out, rather than admit it was a bad idea. Once spare parts were no longer available the response was ‘it shouldn’t of broken, and we have no spares’. Believe that’s the answer you will get from S&W today if they respond to inquiries about the TC traditional guns.
 
Thanks. I haven’t watched the video in a while and did not recall the half-cock, but it makes sense, as he was illustrating what was in the manual. I try not to mess with my set triggers on half-cock any more, either.
 
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