Navy arms sidelock loose trigger

[steelheadwill]

Greetings all,
I recently picked up this Navy arms sidelock 50 caliber, it appears unfired.
I'm not familiar with side locks and it appears to be missing a screw from the trigger plate assembly
at uncocked and half cock the trigger will move back and forth approx 5/16 of an inch, and slightly less at full cock, it's safe at half cock, and breaks crisp from full cock.
I have several other BP firearms including set triggers and this behavior along with the empty threaded hole near the trigger gives me pause.
Thanks for your consideration and thoughts on this.
Willard

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: Typo, 5/16 should have been 5/8ths of an inch, thanks.
It moves a lot...
I could find no options for editing OP.

 

[Tumbledown]

Triggers are often just free-floating little levers. And that style is referred to as a mule ear.

 

[Sam squanch]

I think you are missing your tang bolt.

 

[WalnutRed]

My Navy Arms mule ear rifle is set up the exact same way. The trigger is not attached to the trigger plate, it is simply pinned to the stock in the lock mortise. There is a LOT of free play in the trigger. I think the second screw hole you are seeing is simply because the manufacture used that trigger plate for more than one firearm. I'm not sure I can build my trigger up enough to reduce that play so I'll probably replace the trigger.

 

[EC121]

Add wood to the trigger hole to remove the side play. Front to back add a piece under bottom of the trigger blade. Add it to allow space for full cock not hammer down.

 

[steelheadwill]

Thanks everyone
That's just the info I was hoping for,
Sidelock, mule ear, synonymous.
Appreciate everyones comment and help with my issue.
Best wishes, Willard.