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**Grossfuss** · 07-29-2010, 05:15 PM

K98 double trigger

Hi,
It's 36 years since I left my job in the gun trade but what you have there is known as a set trigger.
I've not seen one on a military K98, only on sporting rifles.
I'm pretty sure the routine was that you cocked the trigger mechanism by pulling the rear trigger and then you had a "hair trigger" by using the front one, i.e the rifle was fired by a very light touch on the trigger which released a sprung-loaded part to release the sear holding back the cocking piece on the bolt.
The theory is that with such a light trigger pull the shooter is less likely to pull the rifle off aim as can happen with a normal-weight trigger pull.
I think you can use the front trigger on its own as in normal use which is a safer (if less accurate) option since a "hair trigger" is liable to fire at the slightest touch, hence all the sayings related to such a device comparing a person with a ready temper to a "hair trigger".
Hope this helps - see what Wikipedia or Google have to say about "hair triggers"!
Good hunting,
Grossfuss

**Johnny Peppers** · 07-29-2010, 07:12 PM

The small screw between the triggers sets the amount of engagement of the front trigger. As mentioned, the front trigger can be set to where the very lightest touch will set it off. For hunting most don't like the trigger set extremely light.

**Uncle Goose** · 07-30-2010, 03:31 AM

yeah, such a light trigger can create a "hairy" situation.

**Grossfuss** · 07-30-2010, 04:44 PM

Hair trigger

Hi Johnny Peppers,
Tell us a bit more about that rifle of yours please.
Best regards,
Grossfuss

**Johnny Peppers** · 07-30-2010, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by Grossfuss View Post

Hi Johnny Peppers,
Tell us a bit more about that rifle of yours please.
Best regards,
Grossfuss

To go back in history a bit, a good friend was the first to decide to get a modern Sharps rifle. At the time he decided the only one to own was the largest caliber they made. The caliber was the .50-140. The rifle was absolutely brutal to fire, and to say the least, no fun at all to shoot.
We then decided to order a rifle that was an original Sharps caliber, but one that would be pleasant to shoot. We decided on the .40-70, or .40 2 1/2 Sharps, indicating .40 caliber and a 2 1/2 inch long case.
The rifles were ordered in 1995 at the time the factory was still backed up with orders brought on by the Quigley Down Under movie. The waiting period at that time was 60 months, and it took the full 5 years to receive the rifles. I outfitted mine with the Montana Vintage Arms sights, which includes a spirit level front sight and the vernier tang sight.
The .40-70 is a pleasant rifle to shoot, and will fire up to 400 grain bullets.

**U534** · 07-31-2010, 05:52 AM

Thanks for all the information.
Sorry but I am not a weapons expert :-)
If I understand correctly.

The double trigger is for shooting with acciracy sniper rifles.
Instead you have a normal trigger you need more finger power for persuade, the rifle can get some movement out breaking it, pulling the trigger shooting.

With little force while pulling the double trigger with low finger power you can shoot more accuracy?
It would be dangerous to walk with a loaded rifle having such a sensitive trigger as standard.

**Johnny Peppers** · 07-31-2010, 08:30 AM

The set trigger is better suited to target or sport shooting than sniper rifles due to the extremely light pressure needed to fire the rifle. They can be set to a trigger pull light enough that when the finger contacts the trigger the slightest pressure will set it off. If a sniper's fingers were cold, he would never feel the initial contact with the trigger.
There are several variations of the set trigger, with the double triggers being the most common. The trigger will also function as a standard trigger if the back trigger is not "set". Some triggers were single set triggers where the trigger is pushed forward to set it, and some were two triggers right together in which the back trigger was pushed forward to set it.
The set trigger normally has a fairly strong spring that must be set, and when the front trigger is pulled the spring pressure is released multiplying the pressure of the standard trigger pull in releasing the sear.

**Grossfuss** · 08-01-2010, 05:02 PM

Double trigger.

Hi Johnny Peppers,
I thought your Sharps was a new-build, but what a lovely job they made of it!
Your concise description of set triggers sums it up nicely.
Please correct me if I'm wrong (I'm going back to pre 1974) - does the "70" in "44-70" refer to a powder charge of 70 grains of black powder?
I believe the same principle applies to the famous "44-40" cartridge, which one might first think was a .44 case necked down to a .40 bullet.
Of course neither of the above have anything to do with a "30-06" cartridge!
Confusing huh?
Has anyone else wondered how various calibres were arrived at?
Why .303 and not .300 - 7,92mm and not 8mm etc. etc.?
Thanks for the extra pics,
Grossfuss

**Johnny Peppers** · 08-01-2010, 05:58 PM

You are correct. The .40 refers to the caliber and 70 to the powder charge in grains of black powder. Winchester made a .50-110 and a .50-100. It was the same cartridge case, but the .50-110 shot a 300 grain bullet where the .50-100 shot a 450 grain bullet. The heavier bullet required a reduced powder charge.
Also, the .44-40 was actually .43 caliber, and the .38-40 was actually .40 caliber.

Shiloh does a great job of fitting the wood to the action. The wood almost looks like it grew around the action. They don't advise removing the wood, as you stand a good chance of splintering the wood, especially when removing the lock plate.

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K98 double trigger part question?

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