Gunsmithing Jewell trigger is "squishy"

[trobertson5-0]

I followed the directions for setup and have spent 4 hours playing with it afterwords. I can either get a crisp trigger pull at 2.5LBS that will drop the firing pin with rapid bolt manipulation, or a squishy pull with a slight slack and then a SCARY light break after the slack, that holds the firing pin no matter how hard I work the bolt.

Neither is acceptable to me from any trigger,much less a $200 one! I have to think I am doing something wrong. What is the secret to a 2.5LB trigger pull that breaks like a glass rod??

Any help is appreciated. TJR

 

[mberry223]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Try squirting some lighter fluid in it. Like the kind you use to fill a Zippo. I had a problem with mine being "Squishy" and played with adjustments for hours. Someone recommended this cleaning method and it worked great, set the adjustments to my liking after it dried and I haven't had to touch it since. I think there may be some tooling residue left in there from assembly, I have only had the problem once and it was on a brand new trigger.

 

[willsnipe]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

WOW! I've never seen a Jewell act like that! Generally, "squishy" is too much sear engagement, and "scary light" is not enough. Have you swapped out the sear springs? I'm trying to think of something that could create those issues, and using too heavy a spring is the most likely.

 

[trobertson5-0]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

WMF. I will try to clean it. It is straight from Jewell and I haven't changed anything inside it. Remington 700 action blueprinted by GAP. It has made me remember some curse words I haven't said in years tonight!! TJR

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Looking on the bottom of the trigger while the rifle is out of the stock and unloaded there are three screws. One at the front of the trigger assembly, one in the center and one in the trigger shoe. The trigger came from Jewell with the specified spring installed. There should be two or three additional springs included.

Spring "A" 8 to 48 oz
Spring "B" 2 to 16 oz
Spring "C" 1.5 to 3 oz

For the HVR Trigger, you probably have Springs A & B. For a 2.5 lb weight of pull you'll need spring "A" in the trigger. Adjust in this order, it's just this easy.

First, cock the receiver and turn the front screw inward until the receiver fires. Now, back that screw out 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn.

Re-cock the receiver and turn the center screw out until it contacts the tab. While applying pressure on the trigger shoe gently turn the screw inwards until the receiver fires. Turn this screw in another 1/4 turn.

Recock the receiver and check trigger weight of pull. Turn the screw in the trigger shoe in for more weight of pull, out for less weight of pull.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Hate the Jewell... they are crappy in dirty conditions as well, at least our experience with them.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hate the Jewell... they are crappy in dirty conditions as well, at least our experience with them.

</div></div>

That’s the draw back to Jewell, they're made too good/tight. RB or a properly tuned Remington is hard to beat in a field rifle

 

[Wheres-Waldo]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">. There should be two or three additional springs included.

Spring "A" 8 to 48 oz
Spring "B" 2 to 16 oz
Spring "C" 1.5 to 3 oz

</div></div>

Hell, mine only came with the spring that was actualy in the trigger

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wheres-Waldo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">. There should be two or three additional springs included.

Spring "A" 8 to 48 oz
Spring "B" 2 to 16 oz
Spring "C" 1.5 to 3 oz

</div></div>

Hell, mine only came with the spring that was actualy in the trigger </div></div>

Contact Jewell and they'll probably send you a kit of springs.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Every Jewell I've felt, felt "squishy".

Not much, but a little.

 

[GasLight]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

I had the exact same thing on a Jewell, I tried to adjust it per their instructions and it never gave me a glass-rod break. I ended up selling it, but never tried the lighter-fluid trick. I was un-impressed to say the least

 

[Robert Gradous]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Everyone I have ever used you could feel it start to roll over before it would break, unless it was set in oz.

 

[45.308]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Using my first Jewel, it will be the last. Will swap it out for a honed 700 when I can.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

You can send any of those crappy Jewell's my way, I'll dispose of them for ya!

 

[cmh2007]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

hell just give it to me. ill help get rid of them. mine is just fine at 1.5 lbs

 

[GasLight]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Just got another Jewell, and same as the other... it almost feels like I hit a sponge, then hold pressure and it will fire... no break at all. Will clean it up and re-adjust and see what I come up with

 

[trobertson5-0]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Dave,

That describes mine better than I could!! I have adjusted and played after cleaning and the closest I could get to clean and crisp was at about 3.5LBS. I think I will be putting in an old Remington I have laying around and letting this one go. TJR

 

[rootsy]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Installed an HVR last night and I have the same exact situation. You can feel the creep before it breaks. Right now at 8 oz. It breaks consistently at 8 oz but the creep is inconsistent and less than stellar. I cannot turn the engagement screw in any further without it dropping the bolt upon close and I cannot turn the over travel out any further less it won't release the sear. Has a ton of over travel too...

Going to try the lighter fluid deal and if it doesn't "magically" fix it.. it's going back and a different option will be put in it's place.

entirely unacceptable for what you have to give for one.

 

[acttacus]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Patience, Patience & more Patience. about 4 hours of delicate tweaking the Jewell, and finally, a 2oz trigger that breaks like glass, and passes all safety tests.

There were moments thou that I just wanted to put it back in the box and return it, but now I'm more than satisfied with the Jewell, breaks better than the GAP tuned old Remmy trigger for sure.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Acttacus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Patience, Patience & more Patience. about 4 hours of delicate tweaking the Jewell, and finally, a 2oz trigger that breaks like glass, and passes all safety tests.

There were moments thou that I just wanted to put it back in the box and return it, but now I'm more than satisfied with the Jewell, breaks better than the GAP tuned old Remmy trigger for sure. </div></div>

2oz? hope that's not on a field gun!!

I did have a 2oz Jewell once on my silhouette rifle-felt great dry fire practice at home but almost sent a shot over the backstop at a match. Neddless to say I switched to a heavier trigger.

 

[acttacus]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Yep, well, I have really sensitive fingers, and the trigger is really crisp so that helps (2000 rds down the pipe and not a single accidental fire, even won a tactical match with it). But its intended as my bench gun for sure. My real field gun (GAP) trigger is tuned to 1.5 lb.

 

[918v]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

I have owned five Jewells. Actually, it was one Jewell that went back five times because it sat canted in the receiver due to poorly reamed holes in the housing. They never got it right.

With that said, I think you are expecting the wrong thing from a four-lever design. It is meant to exert maximum leverage on the sear, hence you will never have that "crisp as breaking a glass rod" feel to it.

The only triggers that give you that feel are finely tuned two-lever designs and the Huber. Remember, the more leverage the trigger has on the sear, the more squishy it will feel. The less leverage, the crisper it will feel, but at an increase in weight of pull.

Two-stage designs solve this problem by giving you maximum leverage with the crisp feel by removing the leverage at the last moment, just before the sear releases the striker. Maybe you should look into two-stage triggers.

 

[Auger01]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Lighter fluid trick worked well for me. Also if your cocking piece is oily/grimy that might also make things feel "squishy".

 

[AJ300MAG]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Use the following at your own risk...

1/2 to 3/4 turn of the sear engagement screw can be too much in some cases. Play with it by 1/2 the flat on the allen wrench until the rifle won't slam fire. That will get rid of the creep (mush trigger pull your feeling).

 

[Hateca]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Jewells don't like dirt. Jewells are very touching to adjust. Jewells are made for bench rest. There are better triggers for a field rifle.

 

[MA66OT]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

I have a Jewell on my Remington 700 SPS Varmint, and have had no problem ever. Breaks like glass at 1 pound, and i use it in the field. Yes the lighter fluid trick works well and if you do that every so often you should have no problems

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Re: Jewell trigger is "squishy"

Hell i like my sponges,they do good for me and a big +1 on the lighter fluid,it helps them.I think the jewel is basicly for people that shoot from benches and truck windows but i drag mine around in the rain and whatever mother nature throws at me.I hunt like a marine. hehe