I have had a Jewell trigger for about three years now. I do not shoot competitions. I do however live on a 2500 acre farm and work for a police department full time and my rifle gets a little dirty and dusty at times. My trigger is set at 12 ounces and I keep that in mind. My rifle is cleaned after every shooting session and flushed out with zippo lighter fluid to dry any left over oil out of the trigger so that it doesn't attract dirt. I really like the Jewell trigger and have never had a problem with it.
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Jewel trigger failures in the field?
- Thread starter InkedIan
- Start date
My Jewel finally broke, it has worn out 2 308 barrels, a 260 barrel, couple hundred Creedmoor rounds, and couple hundred thousand dry fires, I'm replacing it with a Timney Calvin Elite due to the simple fact Timney stands behind there products for life and Jewel doesn't, keep the Jewel clean, and it works, neglect it and it will F you.
Here's another Jewell that failed: De-Gunking a Jewell Trigger ? Speedy Shows How « Daily Bulletin
Several Timneys and another Jewell that failed all at the same match: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...emington-model-700-trigger-2.html#post3085602
The matches I've attended and use afield have not been an issue for my rifle and Jewell trigger. I do clean my gun though after it gets full of grit. I also do my best to keep the grit from getting in there too.
I suspect that for 99% of shooters out there a Jewell will never be an issue for people that maintain their equipment.
For people that go to matches in the desert with wind-driven grit and sand shooting a few hundred rounds, any trigger will fail once it's full of junk.
Keep your gear clean and you won't have an issue. Besides if it's "critical" to have an operational gun wherever you are, then have a cleanup kit and another trigger in your pack as backup.
Well spoken words here. If you want absolute reliability, go with an absolutely rugged trigger system, just do not expect performance like a Jewell will deliver.
I shoot MOSTLY in the desert. I shoot in high winds with lots of dust. I have shot 6 matches and probably 20 outings and I have not had any issues with my Jewell on my GAP Hospitaller. However, I understand that if I really push the things in heavy dust conditions, I should be ready with a field cleaning kit. Which I have.
It is very simply folks: You balance performance with reliability. I agree, the best trigger for reliability is a Mosin Nagant, "hands down". But would I want to compete with that kind of trigger, hell no.
In addition... Jewells are like fine porn starlets. They look and feel awesome, nothing feels better. Jewell's DO PERFORM as intended. Just don't expect Jewell's or Porn Stars to help you dig post holes.
I had a Jewell-HAD is the key word.
Didn't like the skinny 'pedal' and a micron of crud would gum it up PDQ.
Put the Remmy trigger back in and set it to 2.5 lbs, never had any issue since.
Sold the Jewell to a fellow shooter. He later sold it for the same reasons as I did.
YMMV,
LG
Didn't like the skinny 'pedal' and a micron of crud would gum it up PDQ.
Put the Remmy trigger back in and set it to 2.5 lbs, never had any issue since.
Sold the Jewell to a fellow shooter. He later sold it for the same reasons as I did.
YMMV,
LG
why do people always say this? if you do not want to join in the discussion then don't. I wonder if math professors say "not this shit again" when talking about third order differential equations????
As for me, I try to join in on 4-5 "AR10 vs. M14" threads a year... it's a slow year :-(
it is the whole opinions are like assholes thing.......
plus do a search there are 50 threads like this one if you want to melt your brain matter reading them.
Just shot a match in Raton this weekend and met a guy whose Jewell broke on
the sight in range due to a pierced primer. If the bolt is bushed I don't think it's
an issue. I did the usual and cleaned all the dirt out of the rifle.
I also took my trigger apart for the first time in over 3000 rounds of
Match shooting. Not to bad, but I do blow it out every time I shoot
in bad conditions which is most matches. That being said, I got
a spare to carry to the matches just in case. Another Jewell.
the sight in range due to a pierced primer. If the bolt is bushed I don't think it's
an issue. I did the usual and cleaned all the dirt out of the rifle.
I also took my trigger apart for the first time in over 3000 rounds of
Match shooting. Not to bad, but I do blow it out every time I shoot
in bad conditions which is most matches. That being said, I got
a spare to carry to the matches just in case. Another Jewell.
What's wrong with having an asshole? what's wrong with a personal opinion or Personal Experiences and/or personal perception?
Do a Search? Really? you are SMART!
I am sure people know about Search, and there are also a lot of good books out there on many gun related stuff. But some of us just want real world feedback, and get in the discussion ourselves. I mean why even have forums? nothing is really original, answers can be found anywhere by "searching" on amazon.
If you truly believe "not this shit again".. then why even comment? would it not be better to NOT comment at all?
obviously you do. that is why you posted. I too give a shit, that is why I posted. I though don't care if people re-hash old subjects (to me). It might be old to me, but it is not old to them.
Please Discuss....
I'm sorry to hear of all the failures with the Jewell triggers that a number of you are experiencing, I am currently running 7 of these triggers in my custom rifles. I have yet to experience any of the aforementioned complications and I run mine through the wringer. I have empolyed mine in snow, sleet, rain & dust.. I have to say.. I do maintain my equipment.. I have flushed them periodically with lighter fluid to keep them running as per instruction. After all, you wouldn't expect to drive a Ferrari without changing the oil or routine maintenance would you?
Considering that Remington has recalled all its M700 rifles because of trigger problems, it's no wonder that people are polarized to trigger brands. My old Rem trigger from the 70's works great set at a low pressure, because I like a light trigger.
Bought a Rem 700 Varmint in 223 a couple years back and couldn't set it low enough to suit me, so I bought a Jewell from Midway to replace it. As a side note, the shipping asshole at Midway just threw the trigger in a bubble bag, so when it arrived, the thumb safety was poking through a hole in the side of the bag, and it was bent to shit.
I installed the Jewell in the rifle, and observed the same type of problems as described. Either the bolt wouldn't stay cocked, or if it was cocked with the safety on, it would fire when the safety was disengaged. I called Jewell, and the guy answering the phone, after hearing my story, asked if the trigger had fit tight into the receiver. I told him yes, and he said that most likely the sides of the trigger were being pressed against the internals, keeping them from moving freely, and he advised me to open the hole up in my receiver to relieve the pressure against the sides of the trigger.
I took a small file and removed some of the burrs and tool marks from the trigger groove in the receiver, and reinstalled it, and it has worked fine since.
So, side pressure on Jewell triggers causes sporadic behavior. I would imagine grit working in there could cause similar effects.
Bought a Rem 700 Varmint in 223 a couple years back and couldn't set it low enough to suit me, so I bought a Jewell from Midway to replace it. As a side note, the shipping asshole at Midway just threw the trigger in a bubble bag, so when it arrived, the thumb safety was poking through a hole in the side of the bag, and it was bent to shit.
I installed the Jewell in the rifle, and observed the same type of problems as described. Either the bolt wouldn't stay cocked, or if it was cocked with the safety on, it would fire when the safety was disengaged. I called Jewell, and the guy answering the phone, after hearing my story, asked if the trigger had fit tight into the receiver. I told him yes, and he said that most likely the sides of the trigger were being pressed against the internals, keeping them from moving freely, and he advised me to open the hole up in my receiver to relieve the pressure against the sides of the trigger.
I took a small file and removed some of the burrs and tool marks from the trigger groove in the receiver, and reinstalled it, and it has worked fine since.
So, side pressure on Jewell triggers causes sporadic behavior. I would imagine grit working in there could cause similar effects.
After 30 years on the range, as a RSO, Range Master, and SAMI, I can say that any problems that ever arose with any weapon on the line ,it can be traced back to either poor PMS or no PMS completed on that weapon. Bottom line, is that there is no excuse or any reason for any weapon that is going to be used at the range, that should be fowled or unable to perform as designed. If the weapon is PM'ed and the weapon checked out before the first bullet leaves the barrel then it will work period.
Preventative maintenance has nothing to do with it, with tactical matches the conditions can be really bad and you don't see the event called on a count of weather.
Blowing sand, rain, mud, all happen and no amount of PM'ing will stop you from getting wet, muddy, or whipped by the wind carrying dirt and dust.
It's about what trigger is more apt to fail first, as some here have noted under the right conditions anything can fail, but you you weighs the odds, or note the frequency of it happening and which ones go down either first or more often. That is what you call a clue.
You'd wouldn't invest in two scopes and haul a back up around if you knew there was greater chance of the primary breaking, instead you'd invest in the best model you can get for the job. Telling yourself that back up is necessary seems like a bad decision.
Blowing sand, rain, mud, all happen and no amount of PM'ing will stop you from getting wet, muddy, or whipped by the wind carrying dirt and dust.
It's about what trigger is more apt to fail first, as some here have noted under the right conditions anything can fail, but you you weighs the odds, or note the frequency of it happening and which ones go down either first or more often. That is what you call a clue.
You'd wouldn't invest in two scopes and haul a back up around if you knew there was greater chance of the primary breaking, instead you'd invest in the best model you can get for the job. Telling yourself that back up is necessary seems like a bad decision.
Maintenance and parts breaking are no where the same deal-Your 30 yrs should have shown you this--
My 63+ years of life, taught me that!
LG
+1
The AI is the glock of triggers. It takes a little to get used to if you normally shoot a single stage... but when you do, it's hard to go back. And they never fail. I've run my AIs in tons of dirt and dust. Never a glitch.
Yeah Dumpy, or sorry, Lumpy grits.
I'll agree, that, yes parts do break, and acts of god etc..., shit happens, then you deal with it. But, to show up at the range and have a rifle or pistol not perform as designed by the manufacture because of a fouling of the action or trigger assembly, then yes that is your fault and nobody else, and no one can be blamed for your oversight, weather it was intentionally or unintentionally done, but you, period. When I trained individuals in hostage rescue, S.S.D.F., and as a D.O.E. Tactics and Small Arms instructor, rolling through the mud, sand, water, and thick and humid jungle's of Central America, I can honestly say that, I've seen just about any and everything that could happen and that has happened, to small arms, both as a operator, and a investigating official.
And, Yes after years of training ten's of thousands of Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, and civilian's on the use and employment of both deadly force and small arms. As a Small Arms Expert, I've trained and used everything the military uses, from 22lr through to .50 caliber rifles. I know that for a fact, that I've most likely trained and have shoot more, than most people. Its what I did for a 30 year career, and still do to this day compete in long distance (1000yards) and every distance in between, and yes, I'm pushing 60 yrs old myself (of course, your only as old as you think you are), so, yes you could say that I probably know what I'm talking about when it comes to Small Arms, and their use. So when you want to sit down and compare experiences, then give me a call.
I'll agree, that, yes parts do break, and acts of god etc..., shit happens, then you deal with it. But, to show up at the range and have a rifle or pistol not perform as designed by the manufacture because of a fouling of the action or trigger assembly, then yes that is your fault and nobody else, and no one can be blamed for your oversight, weather it was intentionally or unintentionally done, but you, period. When I trained individuals in hostage rescue, S.S.D.F., and as a D.O.E. Tactics and Small Arms instructor, rolling through the mud, sand, water, and thick and humid jungle's of Central America, I can honestly say that, I've seen just about any and everything that could happen and that has happened, to small arms, both as a operator, and a investigating official.
And, Yes after years of training ten's of thousands of Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, and civilian's on the use and employment of both deadly force and small arms. As a Small Arms Expert, I've trained and used everything the military uses, from 22lr through to .50 caliber rifles. I know that for a fact, that I've most likely trained and have shoot more, than most people. Its what I did for a 30 year career, and still do to this day compete in long distance (1000yards) and every distance in between, and yes, I'm pushing 60 yrs old myself (of course, your only as old as you think you are), so, yes you could say that I probably know what I'm talking about when it comes to Small Arms, and their use. So when you want to sit down and compare experiences, then give me a call.
It doesn't make really any difference what type of trigger your using, if it gets fouled up with dirt and and grime, then they will not work as designed. What I've found that really works great and it doesn't leave any residue is, a can of spray on brake cleaner. It will dissolve any and all grease, oil or any other contaminate that has worked its way into the trigger housing/block. You should always preform a three part observation when using any weapon; pre-firing steps, actually shooting the weapon, and post-firing
IMHO, you can't go wrong with a can taken to the range with you, it cleans, and dries without leaving any trace at all, then all you have to do is re-oil lightly with some synthetic oil, I also use it all the time when I clean all of my reloading equipment, dies etc... after each use.
IMHO, you can't go wrong with a can taken to the range with you, it cleans, and dries without leaving any trace at all, then all you have to do is re-oil lightly with some synthetic oil, I also use it all the time when I clean all of my reloading equipment, dies etc... after each use.
That's the main problem with jewells. Oil attracts dirt, dirt is bad. Use the break cleaner, then either don't lube, or use a dry silicone or graphite or something, not much at all.
Frank makes some good points here. I personally agree with his observations.
Jewell triggers are one of the brands we stock and have used in quite a few rifles per customer requests. Most benchrest rifles we build the buyer requests a Jewell and that products works well for those guys in those environments.
I can say we sell Timney more than any other trigger and I can't think of ever having a customer experience a problem (e.g. coming out of adjustment, losing setting, failure resulting in ND, etc.) with the trigger. We have had a few customers report issues with Jewell triggers. In almost all cases, those customers were either not maintaining their triggers (as others described - clean with lighter fluid AND use a bore guide to keep crap out during bore/chamber cleaning) or were using them in really bad environments. I remember one customer in particular who wanted a Jewell for a tactical rifle he said would see hard use in a desert environment. I tried to talk him into something else and he was insistent. He called me a couple weeks after receiving his rifle and said halfway through day two of a tactical match the trigger failed and he got a DQ for the match. He cleaned out the trigger and things went back to being okay. He basically called me to say, "Yeah, you told me so."
Throw enough dirt, dust and other gunk at just about anything and at some point it will likely have an issue. Some products might be more prone to potential issues.
Dave here in the shop lists a Jewell as his #1 favorite trigger and these days it is all he uses. But, he's also pretty meticulous about his cleaning & PM.
Me, I'm a huge Timney fan and run either those or older R700 triggers.
Come to think of it, we did have a Timney trigger that came to us damaged. Guy sent us barreled action and the shoe got broke in shipping. We swapped it for him with one of our inventory triggers and I threw it in a drawer and forgot about it. Few months later we had another guy bring us in a Timney he FUBARed trying to install it. I don't remember what was wrong but remember sending that and the broken shoe trigger back to Timney and asked them to service the triggers if possible and charge me whatever it took. Couple days later I got a package from Timney with a hand signed note from Jeff Dodge, a Blow Pop (who doesn't love free candy??) and two new triggers as replacements. Now, THAT is some service.
Mark
Jewell triggers are one of the brands we stock and have used in quite a few rifles per customer requests. Most benchrest rifles we build the buyer requests a Jewell and that products works well for those guys in those environments.
I can say we sell Timney more than any other trigger and I can't think of ever having a customer experience a problem (e.g. coming out of adjustment, losing setting, failure resulting in ND, etc.) with the trigger. We have had a few customers report issues with Jewell triggers. In almost all cases, those customers were either not maintaining their triggers (as others described - clean with lighter fluid AND use a bore guide to keep crap out during bore/chamber cleaning) or were using them in really bad environments. I remember one customer in particular who wanted a Jewell for a tactical rifle he said would see hard use in a desert environment. I tried to talk him into something else and he was insistent. He called me a couple weeks after receiving his rifle and said halfway through day two of a tactical match the trigger failed and he got a DQ for the match. He cleaned out the trigger and things went back to being okay. He basically called me to say, "Yeah, you told me so."
Throw enough dirt, dust and other gunk at just about anything and at some point it will likely have an issue. Some products might be more prone to potential issues.
Dave here in the shop lists a Jewell as his #1 favorite trigger and these days it is all he uses. But, he's also pretty meticulous about his cleaning & PM.
Me, I'm a huge Timney fan and run either those or older R700 triggers.
Come to think of it, we did have a Timney trigger that came to us damaged. Guy sent us barreled action and the shoe got broke in shipping. We swapped it for him with one of our inventory triggers and I threw it in a drawer and forgot about it. Few months later we had another guy bring us in a Timney he FUBARed trying to install it. I don't remember what was wrong but remember sending that and the broken shoe trigger back to Timney and asked them to service the triggers if possible and charge me whatever it took. Couple days later I got a package from Timney with a hand signed note from Jeff Dodge, a Blow Pop (who doesn't love free candy??) and two new triggers as replacements. Now, THAT is some service.
Mark
