I’m working on the Shotguns course. In the doubles section, there are a couple of questions with the words “decrease the sear angle.” I feel that I understand positive and negative sear/hammer relationships really well. However, I’m unclear what the reference point is for the sear angle in the case of an increase or decrease. Increase or decrease sear angle is a relative measurement in relation to something else, unlike positive or negative, which is absolute – it either is or isn’t. My first instinct is to think a decrease makes something more negative, but depending on the reference point to measure the angle, a decreased sear angle could make a relationship positive or negative in a system, so there is no reference point that I can determine. If I draw a line from the sear axis intersecting the sear surface, there are four angles. Obviously two increase and two decrease offsetting amounts with a change in the surface angle. Maybe the angle refers to a different line?
Is there any clarification for this available or is it a take your best shot proposition? Maybe I missed this in the DVDs and this is a dumb question! If so, just let me know. Thanks for any feedback. Despite occasional brain cramps, I’m really enjoying the course!
It is not a dumb question. I do not have the tests, so what I would like is if you would give me the question and the answers. I can take a guess at what Bob was looking for and to decrease the sear angle is make it less positive. You can have a positive sear angle and if you decrease it, it can remain positive just not as positive as it was. BUT please give me the question and answers so we can go over them.
Reply:
You confirmed my instinct about the meaning was probably correct. The way the questions/answers were written may have thrown me off. When I see “angle” I revert to geometry class and start looking for lines to measure against instead of positive/negative engagement, especially when some answers state it one way and some the other.
#80. Which of the answers might cure this doubling problem. The gun has double triggers and it frequently doubles when the front trigger is pulled first. The trigger pull of the front trigger is five pounds, the trigger pull of the rear trigger is one pound. Trigger travel before the hammer falls is 1/4” on both triggers. The gun doubles with anyone who shoots it.
a. bend the left (rear) sear tail up
b. make the left (rear) hammer notch positive
c. decrease the angle of the sear
d. install a stronger spring for the left sear
e. bend the front trigger to the right and the rear trigger to the left
#81.Which of the following might cure the doubling problem in this A&D type shotgun? The gun doubles only when the rear trigger is pulled first. The trigger pull weight is 3 lbs. for the front trigger and 4 lbs for the rear trigger. Trigger travel before the hammer falls is 1/32” front trigger and 1/4” rear trigger. Choose the correct answers.
a. bend the left sear tail up
b. bend the right sear tail up
c. decrease the angle of the right sear and/or hammer notch
d. file some off the front trigger so that there is more clearance between the front trigger and the right sear tail
e. bend the right sear tail down
Answer:
OK got the questions and the answers, what would you answer for #80 and #81 and why? Let me know and we will go over it. I know this is time consuming but I am not supposed to just give out the answers, I am to help you guys figure it out, and I know you will. Ken
Reply:
#80. I would choose b: because it will possibly cure a negative notch and increase trigger pull, and d: because it would also increase trigger pull and possibly cure a weakened spring. I would NOT choose a: because it would further increase the travel, which is okay now, c: because the way I understand it now this would make it less positive and will make the situation worse, not better, or e: because the gun doubles for everyone and likely not a trigger finger problem so bending triggers is unnecessary.
#81. I would choose b: because the trigger travel is very short and more space between the trigger and sear could help in this situation, and d: for the same reason as b. I would NOT choose a: because the rear trigger doesn’t have a doubling problem and the travel is okay, c: because that would make the situation worse by making the engagement less positive, or e: because bending the sear tail down would likely make the problem much worse, not better.
One of the things that threw me off in the 81 answers was that it apparently didn’t include an option to increase the front trigger pull from 3 lbs. That is, still assuming a decrease in sear and/or hammer notch angle means to make it less positive.
Answer:
Very good, I like the way you reasoned it out. I believe you have got it.
