Adjustment of the Savage 110 Series Trigger

*****WARNING PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK****
Trigger adjustments described below are for target shooting at supervised ranges only. Tactical and hunting use requires triggers be adjusted heavy to minimize accidental discharges.

Always keep your rifle pointed in a safe direction.
 
Before we begin, you should understand that the Savage Factory Trigger in 110 series rifles is a simple yet effective trigger capable of holding a setting to about three pounds. It has adjustments for lightness of pull, trigger creep, over travel and safety engagement. The Savage trigger should not be stoned, or filed down at the sear in order to reduce the pull weight. Lubricating the sear with a dry moly powder and dry firing the rifle 40-50 times will smooth out (break-in) the sear and provide smoother function. Savage rifles can be dry-fired without any adverse effect on the rifles. Those desiring a lighter trigger than three pounds should consider a good after market trigger like the Sharp Shooter’s Supply or Rifle-Basix triggers. Adjustment of triggers should only be performed by mechanically inclined individuals who have a good understanding of mechanics and more than your average dose of common sense. It is important to keep in mind that setting a trigger too lightly can and most often does result in accidental discharges and slam fires (round discharged from closing the bolt on a live round) as well as safety induced discharges from improper trigger adjustments. Use caution in following these directions and never use live ammunition to test the function of any rifle’s safely mechanism. Use Lock-Tite thread locker in order to secure any adjustments made to your rifles trigger mechanism. Anyone who has any reservations about making these adjustments should seek the assistance of a qualified gunsmith. The small amount of money you’ll pay a quality gunsmith for this service is well worth the peace of mind in that you’ll have a safe rifle.
 
This is a small diagram of the Savage model 110 Series (which includes 10/12 type short action rifles and 110/112 long action rifles) trigger group.

Steps to follow:
1)  Remove the rifle from the stock by removing the action screws in front of and behind the trigger guard.
2)  Minor adjustments to weight of trigger pull can be made by adjusting the tension on the trigger spring with Screw #5. Remember to keep some pressure on this spring in order to insure proper function. Setting the spring to lightly can prevent proper trigger recovery/re-engagement. (RESULT = SLAM FIRES) Make sure the spring rests in one of the   opposing notches in the screw head to secure the adjustment.
3)  Screw #1 is to adjust the smooth travel of the safety lever. The safety lever should have no up/down (play) movement. It is also important to understand that this adjustment is usually not often necessary, but require the trigger be removed from the action in order to access the top of the screw.
4)  Screw #2 should be loosened with the bolt cocked. Turn to loosen until the sear releases. To re-set the sear engagement, you must turn the screw back in a minimum of 1/2 turn. The minimum safe sear engagement is .015”. Once this is achieved, re-cock the action and adjust the safety screw.
5)  Adjustment of the safety screw should be done with the safety “ON”. Adjust the safety screw to slightly touch the safety bar but not interfere with it’s operation. The rifle’s safety should be tested wile unloaded and while aggressively cocking the bolt handle and also bumping the rifle butt on the floor to attempt to make the rifle dry fire. Perform this with the safety on and off. If the rifle does not pass this test, re-check your safety adjustment and sear engagement settings.
6)  To set the trigger for overtravel, turn screw #4 with the bolt un-cocked.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SET THE SAVAGE FACTORY TRIGGER BELOW THREE POUNDS. SLAM FIRES AND OTHER TYPES OF ACCIDENTAL
DISCHARGES ARE PROBABLE IF THIS GENERAL RULE IS IGNORED.

7) Use lock-tite to set all of the screws adjusted in your project. Use dry lube (moly-powder) on the sear for lubrication and dry fire the rifle to break in the setting
and get used to the new lighter pull weight. Never point a rifle towards anyone. treat all weapons as if they are loaded.

Shoot Safely
Ken Russo

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