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rnnhntr
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Installing a set trigger in 1885?
Feb 20th, 2025 at 10:33am
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What is involved in installing a set trigger in a Winchester 1885 that originally had a standard trigger. I am considering rebuilding a "sporterized" Winder for use in .22 BPCR if the trigger can be changed out to a set trigger without too much hassle.
  
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gnoahhh
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Re: Installing a set trigger in 1885?
Reply #1 - Feb 20th, 2025 at 11:25am
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Not a big hassle. Very important to swap out the hammer for one with a fly, or install a fly in the current one. Also the sear if I remember correctly? The parts for a single set trigger can be had from MVA, and maybe elsewhere. (And if a hammer w/fly is sourced from MVA be advised you'll probably have to heat treat it. The last one I got from them got battered pretty quickly because I neglected to harden it.)

Simple solution would be to scout eBay and/or the classifieds here with a WTB ad for a complete lower tang with set trigger mechanism in place. Might take a while, might not, and probably cheaper than buying all new parts and assembling one yourself. Either way the hammer swap is important anyway.

I've done it on two now and it's not a daunting proposition.
  
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steel-pounder
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Re: Installing a set trigger in 1885?
Reply #2 - Feb 20th, 2025 at 11:25am
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rnnhntr wrote on Feb 20th, 2025 at 10:33am:
What is involved in installing a set trigger in a Winchester 1885 that originally had a standard trigger. I am considering rebuilding a "sporterized" Winder for use in .22 BPCR if the trigger can be changed out to a set trigger without too much hassle.


You will need to change the hammer for one that is cut and drilled to accept the fly which keeps the hammer from catching in the half cock position. Make sure and get the proper hammer for your style of action IE.. coil or flat spring. The trigger will need changed for one that is a "set trigger". you will also need the catch pin and spring.

i think that is all but Wyoming armory or Montana Vintage Arms Both has parts schematic that Identifies the unique components needed.

C Sharps will have everything you need for a coil spring action.



  
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bpjack
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Re: Installing a set trigger in 1885?
Reply #3 - Feb 20th, 2025 at 11:27am
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To do a single set trigger properly you need a hammer with a fly, a sear with a notch so it does not wear off the fly tip, a trigger with a spring hole, a trigger catch and spring and a stiffer knockoff spring.  I have also had to install a weaker sear spring if the  knockoff won’t trip the hammer.  Sometimes a SST is a pain to get working properly but once done work well. 


MVA sells the parts but their hammer is the lower profile one as found in a low wall unless they have changed it since I bought one a while back 

While not as safe and against the better judgment of many, you could use a standard sear and hammer if you ground off the 1/2 cock notch.  I have one that was done that way.  As I don’t carry a rifle in the field I never use 1/2 cock anyway. 
Personally, I would look for a proper hammer.  They show up on eBay occasionally. 

Jack
  

ASSRA # 11318
just a bit of a hoot.
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