Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

RedRaider271

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Minuteman
Mar 12, 2010
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DFW Texas
I am fixing to buy a trigger for my 5R, I was going to go with a timney or shilen, I was avoiding jewel bc of using this rifle in dirty environments...just curious if anyone uses shilen triggers, I know they had a great reputation in the past, but curious about now
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

I have a shilen trigger on my 5r .223 and a timney on my sps tactical. I haven't gotten much dirt on the triggers to see how they work dirty, but I like the shilen trigger better because it seems to have a slightly crisper break. Just my two cents.
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

I have the shilen 1.5-3 lbs trigger and have been running it for about 2 years now. It was set to 1.5lbs from the factory and I never had to mess with it. It breaks super crisp, clean and right when you want it to. I LOVE IT!
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

I own ONE Shilen and it came on a KMW .308. It has seen dirt, mud, rain, and snow w/o a problem. It's seen thousands of rounds and feels today like it did the day it was brand spanking new.
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

...I've installed a lot of Shilens and Timneys, they both are good triggers, although I would have to agree that the Shilen is slighly crisper out-of-the-box. However, the Shilen uses the factory 700 safety and the Timney has upgraded to the "trigger locking" style safety which is superior. I use primarily that Timney with the "trigger locking" safety, I like the straight trigger shoe milled narrower to about 1/4" and then you can adjust the sear engagement down slightly (against factory recommendations) and get it to just over a pound and it's awesome and passes all the safety checks easily...although I would let a smith do that if you are interested, the life you save could be your own...
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

SHilen triggers are great and are my choice on most hunting rifles where I'm not after a pull weight measured in ounces. Most of my rifles have either Shilen or Jewell.
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

Hmm I had made up my mind on Shilen...then I found the timney with the narrow shoe which i like. I had a timney on my last gun and i loved it except for the wide shoe. You brought up a point which is a concern of mine the saftey is important. Are most triggers relatively safe or is the timeny design premier?
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

...most triggers have decent safeties, it's just that the 700's always had the "infamous" safety that engaged the sear mechanism instead of locking the actual trigger mechanism. Rem is now using a newer style trigger that did away with that, but the Shilen still utilizes the origial 700 safety mechinism which is technically not as safe as the newer trigger locking Timneys or similar. Some chassis like Gary Eliseo stocks don't have a manual trigger set-up so you can go with no safety (the Shilen works great), or a higher end Huber or Jewell with a bottom safety...sorry, I'm probably confusing you now...shoot me a PM if you have any other questions...
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

I initially had the Shilen unit but I found the shoe to be excessively skinny. My boogerhooks tend to be thick up top so your mileage may vary. The wider shoe on the Timney was a much more consistent fit. It also tuned up much nicer than I could get the Shilen.
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

I have Shilen triggers on 5 of my 8 competetion rifles. I have never had any issue with them and I enjoy them.

They have my vote.
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NOMAD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have Shilen triggers on 5 of my 8 competetion rifles. I have never had any issue with them and I enjoy them.

They have my vote.

</div></div>

Better question. Tony, why do you have 8 match rifles?! Share the love!
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

I run a Shilen on a LR hunting rifle, I do prefer it over the Timney & run on my 338. I haven't been able to get acustomed to the wide shoe on my Timney, it's going bye-bye.

It's not a Jewel, but damn close.

t
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

I called Timney bc I met a guy the other day with a narrow shoe timney. They told me that they will make you one custom for the same price as the wide shoe, its just not offered online, you
have to call and order it.... I am still undecided which way to go and now I am confused on where to spend my money,

I really want to finish my 308 bc I am excited to start shooting some comps, but now with all the gun craziness I am wondering if I need to just finish my AR projects first... i wish everything would just calm down. I hope it doesnt' get as ugly as it sounds like.. sorry for my off topic rambling
 
Re: Does anyone use shilen triggers for tactical rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Delta271</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I called Timney bc I met a guy the other day with a narrow shoe timney. They told me that they will make you one custom for the same price as the wide shoe, its just not offered online, you
have to call and order it.... I am still undecided which way to go and now I am confused on where to spend my money,

I really want to finish my 308 bc I am excited to start shooting some comps, but now with all the gun craziness I am wondering if I need to just finish my AR projects first... i wish everything would just calm down. I hope it doesnt' get as ugly as it sounds like.. sorry for my off topic rambling </div></div>

The AR craziness will subside, but I would finish what ever AR projects you have now as pricing and availability of parts may be affected for awhile.