Rekord Trigger-adjust problem in an HW80. DANGEROUS

[pianoman 3,587]

Gentlemen. Hi.

 

I've got a 10-year+ old Wiehrauch HW80K .22 rifle with a problem in it's Rekord trigger's adjustable screw mechanism. And it's a serious one. The silvered trigger-adjust screw has started to "wind" itself loose under vibration and recoil from a heavy day's range session. Effectively lightening the pull-weight gradually to a hair-trigger release. If I don't reset it to a firmer let-off, the trigger blade starts to feel loose and first stage pressure goes limp until, the rifle will fire at the lightest touch. The screw itself feels so loose I can tighten it up with my finger tips! The danger is; if I let it go on, cock and load the rifle with the muzzle pointing even gently angled upward, the rifle will fire the pellet the moment the safety catch button is pressed, just by the weight of the trigger-blade falling back on the sear.

 

The rifle has been tuned to higher power on my FAC with a Titan spring, all perfectly legally and correctly by an excellent gunsmith. But it produces 19.08 foot/pounds energy and, as if 12ft/lbs wasn't dangerous enough, that's certainly no featherweight energy output to mess with. I have kept the rifle secured in the gun cabinet and won't shoot it until I can sort out this rogue.

 

Everything seems to be in place with the trigger unit and I'm stumped as to why it's adjuster-screw is working loose. I have another, .22 cal FAC HW80 Std rifle and nothing goes wrong on it like this. At first, I thought the trigger return spring was broken but, no, there it is intact. If I cannot cure it, I will buy a complete replacement Rekord trigger unit from Hull Cartridge and fit it. But I'd like to find an answer to this one first.

 

Anybody here had similar experience with a Wiehrauch Rekord trigger working itself dangerously loose like this???

[Phantom 631]

Hello Pianoman,

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

I would suggest that you set the screw to your required setting then place some thread lock on the screw to prevent it working loose again.

 

Phantom

[iamduvern 62]

Don't bother with thread lock get it to a gunsmiths ASAP and if you have to get a new trigger mechanism

 

Its not worth messing about SAFETY FIRST

 

 

[andyfr1968 772]

Don't bother with thread lock get it to a gunsmiths ASAP and if you have to get a new trigger mechanism

 

Its not worth messing about SAFETY FIRST

 

Bang on. Unless you REALLY know what you're doing, don't mess about with triggers. Take it to a pro.

[Malt 379]

Don't bother with thread lock get it to a gunsmiths ASAP and if you have to get a new trigger mechanism

 

Its not worth messing about SAFETY FIRST

 

 

 

That's what I'd suggest as well.

[Phantom 631]

Why let a gunsmith charge you 30 quid for a drop of threadlock?

Or more a new trigger unit, if he can get away with it?

 

The op seems to know how to set the trigger to just how he wants it, so trying a touch of thread lock is a logical next step?

He also apears to know how to fit an entire new unit himself, so it would seem he's got common sense and the brains to be able to carry out such a proceedure.

 

Okay if the thread lock fails, he would notice after a few shots given his earlier statement, so then I'd advise a new trigger mech.

 

Phantom

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Hi Pianoman.

 

Sounds to me also that you know what your about with the trigger unit.

Unless the parts are worn or damaged, Locktight/lockthread would do the job.

If the screw is deffinatly the problem, and your sure of that??

 

Bill.

[andyfr1968 772]

As I said, if the op REALLY knows what he's doing then fair enough but if that's not the case, leave well alone.

[pianoman 3,587]

Hi fellas. Thanks for all your thoughtful responses. Since posting this, I have found that the threads in the mechanism that takes the silver screw adjuster you see at the trigger were duff; not the screw itself. So that decides the remedy! This was a restoration of a second-hand HW80K I've taken from a rusted, worn-out wreck to a polished, Good-as-New, full power, match-accurate hunter and the previous owner was not the most subtle -or knowledgeable of handlers, shall we say! Getting the trigger unit re-blued and set right is the last stage of my work on it and, I'm not taking chances on safety with a rifle of this power output, not with near-on 20ft/lbs FAC! So, I'm ordering a new Rekord trigger unit for it and will fit and set that myself. I'm a dedicated spring-rifle shooter but this is something I've never encountered before with Wiehrauch Rekord Triggers. Thanks once again for your kindly tendered thoughts gentlemen.

Edited October 1, 2010 by pianoman

[andyz 30]

It sounds like you obviously know what you're talking about, got any before and after pics?

 

Ita always nice to see a transformation of a rifle!

 

ALB, Andy

[pianoman 3,587]

Hi Andy

Alas, no mate. Sorry. I wish I had now in hindsight. I started on the rifle restoration bit after my dad taught me the basics to advanced techniques of gunsmithing and rifle maintainance, since I was an 8-year old with my first Webley .22 Junior. He was a great and passionate life-long shooter and had a master craftsman's skill with wood and fine metalworking. He has made the most beautiful stocks for his shotguns and full-bore rifles in the past, including hand-chequering, Schnabel tips, ebony cappings and making or repairing metal parts for shotguns and rifles. I've picked it up from him and applied it to my air rifles as a speciality. Reaching for a camera every so often isn't something I'm naturally inclined to do. A shame because this HW80k is the biggest, most comprehensive restoration job I've undertaken. I thought the trigger was okay on inspection, normally they are left alone by a lot of owners. But it started acting up after the running-in shoots and after stripping the unit down to the bones, I found the culprit was in the threaded receiver for the screw adjuster. So that's gonna be replaced and the new Rekord unit is now on order. I've shot some very tight groups with it to hunting ranges and I'm certain it's going to do me well in the hunting field. I'll post some picks up of my guns and any future restoration projects though, now that I know you'll be interested. I'd like to craft a traditional hunting rifle stock for an HW80 or HW95K for a future project. With ebony cappings at the forend tips and a gripcap. That will be a really nice rifle to have. Just got to figure out how to secure them seamlessly, in split, two-piece sections over the cocking link and breechblock. I could use veneers..but I hear my dad yelling "Do it properly!"

 

Cheers mate.

 

Simon

Edited October 4, 2010 by pianoman

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Hi Andy

Alas, no mate. Sorry. I wish I had now in hindsight. I started on the rifle restoration bit after my dad taught me the basics to advanced techniques of gunsmithing and rifle maintainance, since I was an 8-year old with my first Webley .22 Junior. He was a great and passionate life-long shooter and had a master craftsman's skill with wood and fine metalworking. He has made the most beautiful stocks for his shotguns and full-bore rifles in the past, including hand-chequering, Schnabel tips, ebony cappings and making or repairing metal parts for shotguns and rifles. I've picked it up from him and applied it to my air rifles as a speciality. Reaching for a camera every so often isn't something I'm naturally inclined to do. A shame because this HW80k is the biggest, most comprehensive restoration job I've undertaken. I thought the trigger was okay on inspection, normally they are left alone by a lot of owners. But it started acting up after the running-in shoots and after stripping the unit down to the bones, I found the culprit was in the threaded receiver for the screw adjuster. So that's gonna be replaced and the new Rekord unit is now on order. I've shot some very tight groups with it to hunting ranges and I'm certain it's going to do me well in the hunting field. I'll post some picks up of my guns and any future restoration projects though, now that I know you'll be interested. I'd like to craft a traditional hunting rifle stock for an HW80 or HW95K for a future project. With ebony cappings at the forend tips and a gripcap. That will be a really nice rifle to have. Just got to figure out how to secure them seamlessly, in split, two-piece sections over the cocking link and breechblock. I could use veneers..but I hear my dad yelling "Do it properly!"

 

Cheers mate.

 

Simon

 

 

Hiya Simon.

 

Glad you sorted your problem mate.

 

As Andy Said, its always nice to see a restoration job, especialy ongoing progress pictures

 

If you do make your new stock, please add some input to the DIY Stock thread on here, any tips and advice would be welcomed by other members especialy on the capping's.

I have just made one for my AAs200, and like you, thought about capping's.

 

Have you a source for the ebony?

 

ATB.

 

 

 

Bill.

[andyfr1968 772]

Nice one, fella!!

 

Glad you sorted it out and has been said, well done on the restoration.

[pianoman 3,587]

Andy, Bill Thanks a lot fellas

I don't have a source supplier as yet for ebony Bill. My dad got all his from a company called Tewke's and Son of Leeds but they ceased trading a few years ago when Mr Tewke retired. I have a bit of ebony, enough to make the cappings I have in mind, and walnut blanks from my dad's stockpiles. Particularly a rich deep Turkish walnut stockblank which will be the one to use. Bill, if you are after ebony yourself I can only suggest you try the usual timber suppliers businesses who understand the needs of the gun trades. You might like to consider investing in a few jeweller's razor saws and files as certain strains of African ebony are beautifully figured but they're almost like slate and as hard as stone for cutting and shaping. I have come up with a method of using brass pegs and Arraldite adhesive for plug-fixing the ebony cappings to the walnut forestock that gives the right look and finish I want without cocking problems. Just drill two holes per cap and forend tip. 2 brass pegs to lock them together and arraldite to hold it all firm and let it set. File, sand and polish to a perfect finish! That should withstand reasonable wear and tear knocks from normal shooting use.

 

All the best

 

Simon

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Andy, Bill Thanks a lot fellas

I don't have a source supplier as yet for ebony Bill. My dad got all his from a company called Tewke's and Son of Leeds but they ceased trading a few years ago when Mr Tewke retired. I have a bit of ebony, enough to make the cappings I have in mind, and walnut blanks from my dad's stockpiles. Particularly a rich deep Turkish walnut stockblank which will be the one to use. Bill, if you are after ebony yourself I can only suggest you try the usual timber suppliers businesses who understand the needs of the gun trades. You might like to consider investing in a few jeweller's razor saws and files as certain strains of African ebony are beautifully figured but they're almost like slate and as hard as stone for cutting and shaping. I have come up with a method of using brass pegs and Arraldite adhesive for plug-fixing the ebony cappings to the walnut forestock that gives the right look and finish I want without cocking problems. Just drill two holes per cap and forend tip. 2 brass pegs to lock them together and arraldite to hold it all firm and let it set. File, sand and polish to a perfect finish! That should withstand reasonable wear and tear knocks from normal shooting use.

 

All the best

 

Simon

 

 

 

Hi Simon.

 

Not a problem on the Ebony mate, if I find a supplier I will let you know.

Or may think about Rose Wood?

The Turkish Walnut will look beautiful on the Rifle.

Your idea for fixing the capping sounds like a good solid solution.

Let us know when you start the project, and if you can, put up plenty of pic's and tip's in the DIY Stock Section.

May start another one myself soon, still mulling it over.

 

ATB.

 

Bill.