Post by TMan on Dec 16, 2009 10:31:00 GMT -5
I had bought this kit several years ago, but like many other things in the house, my wife's teddy bears hid it while I was sleeping.
So while doing some one armed cleaning the other day, I ran across it. I think I bought it for the Bushmaster 97, but I had already done some trigger work on it, and was satisfied with it.
A couple of weeks ago one of the guys at the range had a S&W M&P15-22 and was extolling its virtues. He was going to let me fire it, but I was afraid to do it because of my shoulder. One of the things he didn't like was the trigger, but he went on to tell me that all of the lower receiver parts were the same as on a standard AR-15.
So, since Becky had one, I bought it and guess what - the trigger did need work, but I had this kit sitting there with no particular place to go. (Suddenly a tune goes through my mind: "Riding along in my automobile...")
Don was right, the parts in the lower receiver were exactly the same as in an AR-15. However, the magazine well is not. I tried to put my little plastic block in there, that allows you do dry-fire the lower receiver all day long because it absorbs the blow from the hammer; it didn't fit.
The mating parts on the hammer and sear are nicely polished to a mirror finish, so no need to do any additional work on those. The kit also included reduced power springs already installed on the parts. However, the real operative thing is the Modified Safety Selector Lever (9381367-SCG), which they say is available, but isn't shown on their web-site.
As can be seen from the photograph, there is a metal post sticking up; it is called the spring plunger. What can't be seen is the overtravel stop and the locking screws that are at a 90 degree angle from the plunger and overtravel stop.
After installing the parts, you first adjust the overtravel screw using a 1/16" allen wrench, which is not supplied. You then put the safety in the safe position and tighten the locking screw as to hold your previous adjustment using the .035" allen wrench supplied with the kit (mental note: don't lose this wrench; you aren't going to find one at Ace Hardware).
Next you screw in the spring plunger until a two-stage can be felt, and lock it down the same as the overtravel. Now you have a two-stage, but heavy trigger pull. Then again we get a little tricky. There is a set screw in the top of the spring plunger. You back it out in order to reduce the weight of the trigger pull. They tell you not to reduce it below 4.5#, and I heeded their instructions.
Is it worth the money? Yes, I wouldn't buy the rifle and plan to keep it with the factory parts because the trigger is not adequate in my terms.
I can't wait to see Don tomorrow and hand him this with the comment: "Here, I worked on the trigger; see how you like it."
Ok, Ok, I know that isn't completely honest, but he will not leave it at that, and he will want to know what I did and I will tell him. Don is single and has more money for guns that I do. On Friday, Bushmaster will sell another Competition Two-Stage Trigger Kit: 8448592-SCGK.