Rifle Trigger Mechanism – How does a rifle trigger work?

A trigger mechanism of a rifle is to trigger off the weapon. The trigger kit mechanism is nothing but a simple system that prepares the gun for shooting. Without a trigger mechanism, there are no chances of firing. The trigger plays an important role in selecting between automatic and semi-automatic modes of firing.

This is the part that provides trigger pull on a rifle, allows regulation of the amount of force to fire a rifle. It provides safety against accidental shots under normal use depending on different designs of trigger mechanisms.

In this article, we will take you through the basics of how does a trigger work, different kinds of trigger mechanisms, and a lot more.

Read ahead to learn more!

How does a rifle trigger work?

The rifle trigger works under the force of the trigger return spring. When the carrier goes downward by pushing the cartridge into the chamber, it makes the hammer get closer towards the rear end of the carrier.

This makes the trigger hook end go backward touching the sear tip that keeps holding back the hammer from striking on the cartridge primer.

Trigger movement toward its initial position causes the disconnector to catch hold on the trigger and remove itself away from contact with the hammer. That makes the trigger return forward and the trigger hook end get engages with trigger sear. Which forces the carrier to go upward into the loading position thereby inserting the new cartridge into the chamber. 

Whenever reloading takes place, two things happen simultaneously – the bolt pushes back the carrier, and the trigger pulls back so that the hammer gets cocks up. When the trigger is pressed completely inside, its hooked end presses down on sear leg holding it in contact with full cock notch in hammer body & thus hammer is released to strike on cartridge primer. 

Trigger pull

When trigger pull weight lessens or decreases during shot release this causes disengagement of the hook from full cock notch. The trigger moves forward under pressure from the trigger return spring. As the rifle trigger moves forward, the hooked end of the trigger pushes the sear away from the hammer body releasing it.

Pressure on the flat trigger causes it to move backward slowly because of the tension in the trigger return spring.  This brings its hook into contact with the disconnector which prevents the entire trigger from moving further by catching its bent or curved lower end.

When the carrier catches hold of a new cartridge & begins to lift it upwards for loading into the chamber of the barrel, it goes past the point where the disconnector gets disengaged from the trigger allowing the trigger along with the trigger bar to move forward under pressure of trigger return spring. This in turn pushes forward on the trigger bar causing its lower end to lift up the disconnector out of engagement with the trigger.

Types of rifle trigger mechanisms –

Single Stage Triggers – 

A trigger with only one trigger pull is known as a single-stage trigger. A single trigger mechanism is basically a trigger safety along with other components including limited firing capacity of one shot at a time.

When the shooter presses the trigger, inside it causes the fire round to eject it out. The carrier goes upward into the chamber before the hammer releases again for firing.

This kind of follows a simple trigger mechanism but can be a little unsafe because of no protection against accidental shots. It can take place when one uses two fingers together on the trigger.

Two-Stage Triggers – 

Two trigger pulls connects together and make a Two-Stage trigger. It allows the shooter to make the first-stage press. Which follows a second stage press during the firing process. The first trigger pulls usually releases when finger pressure on the trigger increases up to a certain level. Further increase in pressure on finger causes the release of next shot before automatically releasing initial trigger pull again.

This mechanism provides a time gap between each shot fired for inserting new cartridges into the magazine. You can keep shooting without involving the carrier in the loading process until all rounds eject.

Set Triggers – 

A trigger that does allow trigger pull to set before firing is known as a set trigger. Such type of trigger enhances shooting accuracy and precision during hunting, target shooting, etc where the trigger has to be pulled with the exact amount of pressure on the finger or trigger mechanism for accurate shooting.

• Single Set trigger – the trigger that only provides trigger pull to be set before trigger gets pulled is known as a single set trigger.
• Double Set trigger – trigger which provides trigger pull set point on either side of the trigger is known as a double set trigger.

Variable Triggers –  

A trigger that provides a trigger pull with changeable weight calls a variable trigger. Such type of trigger enables the shooter to set the trigger pull according to his convenience and comfort. However, shooting a rifle in order to enhance shooting accuracy and trigger pull with changeable trigger weight. 

• Double Crescent Trigger –  trigger in which trigger and trigger bar both move in the arc-shaped track is known as a double crescent trigger. Its working mechanism is similar to the trigger mechanism in a single action revolver where the trigger moves forward. However, the trigger bar swings up into a crescent shape during trigger pull for releasing the hammer.
• Drop-In Trigger – the trigger that gets dropped inside the receiver without needing much effort and skill for fitting it inside the rifle is known as the drop-in trigger.

Wrapping up,

Trigger work in a rifle trigger mechanism is simple yet effective to produce controlled shots. In order to enhance accuracy, we can set trigger pull prior to the fire. Additionally, a great trigger recommendation from our end would be the Marlin 30 30 gold trigger.

We hope this information comes in handy the next time you’re looking for better insights into how rifle triggers work.

Happy shooting!!