Broken kibler smr trigger guard

[Rifleratt]

To all,

I hope you are all well. This morning while working on the smr, I was working to inlet the trigger guard. I've had to gently tweak its tabs a little to get good fit. Once I got the back portion of the guard inlet, I started to focus on the interference of the guard itself against the trigger plate. I thought, no big deal. I vised the guard up in my brass jaws and start to give a little stomach weight.

I guess I need to work on my stomach torque calibration, cause I snapped it. I know in a couple of weeks I'll reach out to Bree to have another sent, but what are thoughts on the interference and how, or where, to tweak the new guard when it gets here.

In my mind the front of the trigger plate and trigger guard should meet up solidly, so the curl of the trigger guard has to come up off the trigger plate.

I would appreciate any words of wisdom.

Thanks.
Josh

 

[PathfinderNC]

I’ve built a few of them and never had the need to bend a trigger guard. You might have better luck if you fit the front end in first. Sometimes a little trimming of the wood helps to get a good fit, but bending the guard shouldn’t be necessary on these kits.

 

[wiscoaster]

Mine went in easier by putting the front in first, then pushing forward and tapping the back with a mallet until it went in at the back. There's maybe a little flexing going on, but not much. Also, that little inset or "shelf" on the front of the trigger curve is supposed to go flush against the trigger plate. So I suspect it's the guard's front inlet that needs a little more space. I have no doubt Kibler will replace that piece for you.

 

[blackeagle]

I haven't built a SMR, but the guard on my colonial went in easier front first. Jim references this in the fitting video for the colonial guard.

I've found his videos to be a wealth of knowledge and technique. I've been going back through them to also watch his handling and tools as his process is very efficient!

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Your thinking is right. It should sit down flush.
It's been a few years since I assembled a Kibler but if I recall I just took a little metal off that step under the bow to allow it to drop down.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Always inlet the front first, then the back.