Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

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Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 08 Feb 2018, 10:06 pm

My 300 win mag's floor plate doesn't click in properly under the latch on the trigger guard, because the guard is sitting a touch to deep in the timber. I'm thinking of cutting a 10 thou shim (or however thick is needed once properly measured) to lift the guard out of the timber to the correct spot for the latch to fully lock. Any reason I shouldn't use a shim?
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 08 Feb 2018, 10:09 pm

Few more photos for yas
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Supaduke » 08 Feb 2018, 11:06 pm

Shims have been used in rifles with great success for about as long as smokeless powder and Spitzer bullets. Give it a go.
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Tripod » 09 Feb 2018, 8:23 am

Ruger if I am not mistaken, Has it been bedded? What is happening is the magbox is sitting too high in the stock, If you shim the trigger guard the mag box will be loose.
If it has been bedded it wasn't done properly and needs done correctly or you are just putting a bandaid on it.
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Sam45 » 09 Feb 2018, 8:35 am

My new Remington has shims in the trigger guard area mate. Go for it and get it nice and level :)
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by AusTac » 09 Feb 2018, 9:01 am

Have shimmed bits in my 303 with good success, used a coke can haha
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Oldbloke » 09 Feb 2018, 3:06 pm

[quote="AusTac"]Have shimmed bits in my 303 with good success, used a coke can haha[/quote]

+1
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 09 Feb 2018, 6:52 pm

Cheers fellas that'll be a job for the weekend, just thought I'd check before going ahead with shims
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by marksman » 10 Feb 2018, 10:20 am

the coke cans I've used for shims are 7 thou thick
really it would be better to either bed that area or file the edge of the latch to fit
I would bed, as an easy solution just in case the timber is crushed a bit in that spot :thumbsup:
that screw in the middle is never supposed to be tightened more then just snug :drinks:
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Gamerancher » 10 Feb 2018, 10:27 am

The timber does look to have been crushed, perhaps try shimming to see if it remedies the problem first, then look at bedding for a more permanent fix.
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by sungazer » 10 Feb 2018, 10:35 am

I would do exactly as Gamerancher suggested. I have bedded this area before as well when putting in pillars.
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Tripod » 10 Feb 2018, 7:13 pm

Guys the rifle is a Ruger, They use 3 action screws and are a bit of a pain to get right as the mag box acts as a spacer and set the distance between the action and the floorplate and trigger guard which are two separate pieces. If the trigger guard is shimmed or bedded to make the catch line up then the mag box will be loose which will allow the timber to crush and seriously screw with accuracy. The only way I can see that this has happened is if the action has been bedded and hasn't been set low enough into the stock meaning the mag box can sit higher and therefore the trigger guard sits too far up into the stock. The solution to this isn't to do anything to the underneath of the stock it needs to be the action bedding that gets corrected to sit the action lower.
Don't Bubba the job, This is a modern well made firearm not an old clunker.
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by sungazer » 10 Feb 2018, 7:57 pm

Sounds like what you need is to make pillars for it. That way when tightened it will all be in alignment. No wood getting crushed and the exact distance at all three points.
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Oldbloke » 11 Feb 2018, 5:26 am

Supaduke wrote:Shims have been used in rifles with great success for about as long as smokeless powder and Spitzer bullets. Give it a go.


+1
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Tripod » 11 Feb 2018, 7:34 am

sungazer wrote:Sounds like what you need is to make pillars for it. That way when tightened it will all be in alignment. No wood getting crushed and the exact distance at all three points.

Pillars aren't easy on a Ruger as the front action screw goes in at a 45 degree angle which is why the bedding gets done wrong on them so often.
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Tripod » 11 Feb 2018, 7:41 am

I just had another look at the pictures and in one it looks like you have filed the magazine box out where the trigger guard sits, Why? If you have that is what has caused the problem as the trigger guard can now screw down further.
Let me guess, It was like that when you got it, Some other dude did it (The SODDI defence) or a mate worked on it. :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Gamerancher » 11 Feb 2018, 11:22 am

I did notice that, but I was being polite by not mentioning it. ;)
My thoughts would be to cut the shim to fit under the front of the trigger guard while also filling that filed gap in the mag box. I'd try using a shim of that thickness. By the looks of it , that is probably why the timber was crushed in the first instance.
Three screw actions tend to shoot better if that middle screw is not overly tensioned. :allegedly:
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Gwion » 11 Feb 2018, 12:34 pm

Simplest solution is to sell it and buy a rifle that isnt a Ruger! :lol:
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Gamerancher » 11 Feb 2018, 12:56 pm

Ouch! :lol:
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Gwion » 11 Feb 2018, 1:12 pm

Hahaha....
Just teasing :thumbsup:
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Gamerancher » 11 Feb 2018, 1:14 pm

You're just trying to get a rise out of Bladeracer. :lol:
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Gwion » 11 Feb 2018, 1:16 pm

:thumbsup:
It never crossed my mind! :lol:
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Gamerancher » 11 Feb 2018, 1:19 pm

How's the temperature down there mate? Currently hiding inside the house from the 43.8 C here. Should just put the leadpot out in the sun for a while. :lol:
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Gwion » 11 Feb 2018, 1:22 pm

Crap. That's hot!
Been pretty warm lately but we got a touch of rain yesterday. Need about 5 times as much, though. Driest season since we've been here.
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 12 Feb 2018, 9:51 pm

Tripod wrote:I just had another look at the pictures and in one it looks like you have filed the magazine box out where the trigger guard sits, Why? If you have that is what has caused the problem as the trigger guard can now screw down further.
Let me guess, It was like that when you got it, Some other dude did it (The SODDI defence) or a mate worked on it. :lol: :lol: :lol:


Yes your right Tripod the mag box has been filed a touch, I was told here on enough gun that the mag box on 77 mark 2's needs a few thou' of clearance so it can free float to improve accuracy. Changed my 308 from shooting 3inch groups to half inch groups.

This rifle hasnt been bedded, and the trigger gaurd was actually a problem before I took a bit off the mag box
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Re: Using shims to properly fit trigger guard

Post by Oldbloke » 13 Feb 2018, 5:32 am

Just shim it or a washer. Can't hurt it.
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